Indian YMCA to unveil seven murals by artist Dan Llywelyn Hall
Mahatma Gandhi and Prince Charles attended centre celebrating its centenary this weekend
Friday, 18th October 2019 — By Anna Cooban
Mr Llywelyn Hall’s mural is due to be unveiled this weekend
THE Indian YMCA is celebrating its centenary this weekend by unveiling seven murals painted by one of the Queen’s portrait artists.
The artworks by Dan Llywelyn Hall – called Searching for Home – will hang in the atrium of the building in Fitzroy Square, Fitzrovia.
The works celebrate the deep-rooted links between the United Kingdom and India and the hostel building that has been a “home from home” for Indian students and hosted high profile guests including Mahatma Gandhi and Prince Charles.
“I was taken by the rich history of the Indian YMCA,” Mr Llywelyn Hall told the Extra.
“Each of the seven panels represent different periods in the institution’s history.
“The Indian YMCA is a bridge between two countries. There’s nothing else like it in London.”
Sunday’s event is the first in a series taking place over the next year to mark the YMCA’s centenary.
A documentary will be shown encouraging attendees to donate to the planned refurbishment of the Fitzroy Square building, including the installation of energy efficient windows.
A young Prince Charles at the YMCA
The YMCA began in 1920 in what was once called the “Shakespeare Hut” in Bloomsbury, a building previously used by First World War soldiers from New Zealand. It moved to Gower Street in 1923 and then into Fitzroy Square in 1953.
Mr Llywelyn Hall rose to national prominence in 2013 after his portrait of the Queen drew mixed reactions from commentators.
The Welsh-born artist had been commissioned by the Indian YMCA to paint the murals responding to theme of “unity and inclusion”.
