Walter Kershaw, 'The Orginal Banksy', dies aged 85
Walter Kershaw, the pioneering Littleborough muralist widely regarded as one of Britain’s earliest street artists, has died, aged 85. His passing marks the loss of a visionary who believed art belonged not in galleries, but on the streets where people lived their everyday lives.
Kershaw’s reputation was built on the street murals that became his signature from the early 1970s onward. Working at a time when public art was still a rarity, he transformed the gable‑ends of Victorian terraces into vast, colourful canvases that drew national attention. Many of these early works, painted in Rochdale, Bury, Oldham, Manchester and beyond, have since been demolished or lost through redevelopment. Kershaw never mourned their disappearance. He embraced the ephemeral nature of his murals, often choosing condemned properties deliberately so the artwork existed as a fleeting moment of beauty before the bulldozers arrived. His philosophy was simple: public art should live among the public, even if only for a short time.
Alongside his monumental murals, Kershaw also turned his attention to neglected infrastructure, such as bridges in Burnley, Bury and Rochdale. These structures, often drab and overlooked, became unexpected bursts of colour after his interventions.
But not everyone welcomed the transformation. Local authorities issued cease‑and‑desist‑style letters, worried less about the artistic merit and more about the cost of maintaining such bold colour schemes. Kershaw, undeterred, continued painting.
He often worked very early on Sunday mornings, choosing times when few witnesses were around. These clandestine sessions are now recognised as early examples of guerrilla art, decades before the term became mainstream.
Though rooted in the Pennines, Kershaw’s work travelled widely. His murals and paintings were exhibited across the UK, including at Salford Art Gallery, Bear Lane Gallery in Oxford, and even the House of Commons. His work entered major collections such as the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Arts Council.
He also completed international commissions, particularly in Brazil, where his large‑scale pieces became part of national collections.
Kershaw’s distinctive approach, blending social commentary, humour, and sheer visual impact, made him a familiar face in the media. He appeared on programmes with Melvyn Bragg and Janet Street‑Porter, and once shared a sofa with Eric Morecambe on Russell Harty’s BBC Two show.
A BBC student film about his work, The First Graffiti Artist, went on to win Best Student Film at Cannes in 1976.
Kershaw’s later life included short periods of time in prison, widely reported at the time. While part of his personal history, they do not define the artistic legacy he leaves behind - a legacy built on colour, scale, and a belief that art should be woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Even though many of his murals no longer exist, their impact endures. His death will be felt across Littleborough and the wider arts community, but the stories of his murals and the boldness with which he created them will continue to inspire. We are lucky to still have one of his works above the Coach House on Lodge Street.
