“They’ll be astonished by what they’ll find in my garden in years to come. It’ll be like Pompeii or something… Gerry’s Pompeii.”

GERARD ‘GERRY’ DALTON
(1935 - 2019)


WHAT IS GERRY’S POMPEII?


For over 30 years, Gerard ‘Gerry’ Dalton (1935-2019) worked privately, creating hundreds of artworks and transforming his unassuming ground floor flat, garden and the adjoining bank of the Grand Union canal into an extraordinary and singular visionary environment. This was the parallel world of an intensely private extrovert. Although Gerry was well known by his neighbours and was a loving presence on his street, the full extent of his work was only uncovered following his death in 2019. Following an incredible campaign to save this exceptional Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art), Gerry’s home was transferred back to Genesis Notting Hill housing association in 2020. Whilst this is an extremely sad loss, we are working to maintain the extensive 50-metre long mural with hand-hewn topiary and the 50 sculptures that Gerry created on the canal bank. This public artwork can be viewed from Meanwhile Gardens on the opposite side of the canal.


Gerry’s Pompeii CIO is an ambitious new organisation that will build on Gerry’s legacy by working closely with its local community and wide range of supporters. As a charitable incorporated organisation, it will protect and uphold what remains of Gerry’s work on the bank of the Grand Union canal and work to create public access to this incredible and important cultural resource. Our work to save Gerry's Pompeii revealed the high level of creative community energy and a need for a centralised visual arts space in the local area. Our long-term vision is to fill this gap and we are currently developing a playful programme that will involve a wide range of activities such as: boat tours, processions, alternative happenings and antics that are delivered in Gerry’s spirit… watch this space!


“A very important place!
There is no other environment of this size and quality in the U.K.”

JARVIS COCKER, MUSICIAN


“In over 50 years in London, I have never encountered anything so unusual, and so complete... I have seldom been so affected”

RICHARD WENTWORTH CBE, ARTIST