Behind the modest red-brick facade of a gable-roof flat in Birkenhead, England, lies a home like no other. The only clue passers-by would have had until recently were a pair of hand-carved figurative columns flanking the wooden front door. But when you step into this corner flat near Liverpool, you are transported to the imaginative world of Ron Gittins.
A gifted artist who also dabbled in local acting groups and music, Gittins was a complex character. He took day jobs here and there, but he was much more inclined to work for himself, on his own terms. Anecdotally, he was known for his zest for life and determination to do great things; his sister says that he once shouted to their brother: ‘I will not be ignored!’ His creativity was evident in every facet of his life, and his home is no exception.
In a ground floor rental apartment, which he rented out in 1986, Gittins created monumental fireplaces in the shape of a lion, minotaurand a relief-decorated Roman altar. He painted bright murals inspired by ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, including a central corridor decorated with hieroglyphs. The columns at the front door were reminiscent of palatial stone images of pharaohs and gods.
Gittins turned to the era of English romantic portraits in one room Georgian era-inspired murals with framed paintings lined up above an ornate fireplace. And in the bathroom, the walls feature images with an aquatic theme.
“Although Ron was extremely proud of his artwork, he generally refused access to landlords, maintenance staff and any form of officialdom in order to protect the fantasy world he had created for himself,” said a statement from Wirral Arts & Culture Community Land Trust . , who now owns and manages the property. It adds: “After all, not every property owner would allow their tenant to build an epic concrete lion fireplace in their living room.”
Gittins’ lease agreement allowed him “to furnish the interior of the property to his own taste and the external veranda in classical style without prior written permission from the landlord.” He also had access to the garden, which he could create at his own expense.
Few people were given the privilege of seeing Gittins’ creations during his lifetime, as he was protective of his art and preferred to maintain his privacy. He continued to collect unique objects and transformed his house into his ultimate fantasy, his self-proclaimed ‘villa’. Then, after its unexpected death in 2019, its fate was suddenly uncertain.
In December 2021, artist Jan Williams, who is also Gittins’ niece, teamed up with Chris Teasdale of The Caravan Gallerylaunched a campaign to save the flat. Together with a dedicated team of volunteers, consisting of family, friends and experts in the field of art and heritage, a last-minute purchase at an auction in March 2023 was successful. Since then, the team has continued to care for the installations and sift through the artist’s eclectic collection. from books, magazines, videos, clothing, furniture and trinkets.
The Wirral Arts & Culture Community Land Trust continues to catalog Gittins’ assets and work to preserve this unique environment for years to come. Learn more and take a virtual tour of the organization website.
