Art in the borough: Catford
Greyhounds and butterflies
Did you know Catford used to have a greyhound stadium? The stadium opened in 1932, founded by Charles Benstead and Frank Sutton, and closed in 2003. For over 70 years, greyhound competitions, such as the Gold Collar and Greenwich Cup, took place at Catford Greyhound Stadium, between the southern railway bridges.
Due to a decline in popularity with greyhound racing and controversies surrounding animal welfare, the stadium closed permanently in 2003. On the nearby bridge that leads to Catford Bridge station is a painting of yellow greyhounds running freely. Catford Dogs by Andrew Loakim highlights the stadium and portrays an optimistic future for the community.
Along the same bridge are painted butterflies, from Team Catford, which were inspired by Victorian entomologist Henry Tabbats Stainton, who lived in Mountsfield, Catford.
The Broadway Theatre
In the heart of Catford stands the stunning Grade II-listed Broadway Theatre. Originally built in 1932 by architects Bradshaw & Hope, the Broadway began as part of an extension of the original Lewisham Town Hall as part of the Lewisham Metropolitan Council. The building is distinctive in character due to the blending of Art Deco, Tudor, and Gothic design.
Have you noticed the symbols and structures on the building? We spotted owls, gargoyles, and fish.
Pensive Girl
Pensive Girl (1992) by Gerda Rubinstein is a life-sized bronze sculpture of a woman, seated and looking thoughtfully at the ground, that sits in the grassy area outside the Old Town Hall. Pensive Girl, like many of Rubinstein’s artworks, is approachable and celebrates the ordinary in everyday settings.
Her other artworks in Lewisham include The Picnic (1988) on Connington Road, Lewisham.
Waterline
Nestled within the shrubbery beside the stark concrete of Eros House stands Waterline (2006), a flowing, aquatic-blue steel sculpture by Oliver Barratt. Its curving form reflects the town’s watery past. Rushey Green was once a river, and in its past, the local area was the site of an 18th century farmhouse, a local cinema, and a lively hippodrome.
The cats of Catford
Do you know how many cats are in Catford? We’re not sure, but we do know of a housing project, The Queen of Catford by UK studio Tsuruta Architects, that has over 27,000 feline faces, inside and outside the homes, complete with blue heritage plaques dedicated to fictional people. The flats overlook Catford’s brutalist architecture, just like our most iconic resident, The Catford Cat. The Catford Cat was made by Owen Luder and Rodney Gordon in 1974 and was part of the Catford Centre's development. Gordon and Lauder also designed Milford Towers and Eros House.
There is also small stone cats round the corner from the big cat on Holbeach Road. With many other appearances of cats around the town centre done by local street artists.
The Riverview Walk and Riverpool linear walk
Nature meets art on this river walk that runs between Catford and Bell Green. The walk has sculptures that reflect the animals and insects you can spot in the area. Along the bridge at Ravensbourne Confluence, you’ll come across The Birds of Waterlink Way, Tom Bell, which highlights birds native to the area, nesting on city homes and a vibrant community-made mural that features birds, butterflies, ducklings and more. At the other end, Bellingham Tunnel Mural (Moremead Road, behind Bell Green Sainsbury’s), Jasmine Parker’s mural, welcomes visitors to the walk with a bright mural that also celebrates the inhabitants of the Riverview Walk.
From bronze figures to feline faces, Catford’s art tells the story of a community that thrives on character, creativity, with a touch of the unexpected. Go and discover Catford and see what other gems you can find.