1978
(12 negatives)
Mural for for Pink Floyd’s Britannia Road recording studio in Islington North London. The studio is just out of frame in the picture to the right of the tree trunk. Commissioned by Nicks Mason & Griffiths.
From Hags book ‘How Things Are’
Beauty emerges from the soil of the toils within which we exist, teeming with life, vibrant with the creative force. The energy and joy of creation is all around us.’
Athena International published this as a poster under their title of ‘Urban Growth’ in 1988
Printing Notes
256 hrs including photography and 56 prints to reach this point.
Mural Notes.
When Hag made this picture it was designed to be where hats and coats were hung when entering the studio. Hooks were to be placed within the tree so these small elements would be discovered as a surprise over time. This did not happen as nobody could bring themselves to drill holes in the 6’ x 9’ (1.82 x 2.74m) Mural.
The studio was later expanded and where the mural was became a doorway. The mural was removed and left out in the back yard in the rain.
Hag added 7 things that people could discover whilst hanging their coats.
This is a list of the things in increasing order of difficulty……..
1. Cupboard
2. Coats
3. Umbrella
4. Hags Eye
5. Daisy Dog
6. Beetle
7. Beatles (digitally added later to the black & white version)
8. Tree Nymph
If you click on the photographs a larger image will be revealed where all these things can be found.
Hand tinted in 1991 by ‘Hill Headland’ for a poster published by Athena International.
Above is the newly scanned version of the hand tinted ‘Tree in Islington’ which was very badly damaged when Athena International printers ripped it off its thin mounting board to drum scan for their poster in 1991!
The Tree in Islington (Deceased) 2019
Hag discovered in July 2019 that ‘The Tree in Islington’ whilst still standing had died. Tree number 0020 on Hampstead Heath, London. Research has shown it has been in this state from at least January 2013. See links below…..
Number Number 11. Dead Things. Of Field & Forest by Jessica J. Lee February 25th 2015
Sunset over snow-covered Hampstead Heath by Mathew Maran January 2013
Hag at ‘The Tree in Islington’ 2nd March 2022
The deceased tree & the tinted version are not found in the book ‘How Things Are’
For enquiries or further information please email
Created by Hag without the use of a computer by Combination printing.
Collage Montage Surreal Photography.
