Cornucopia: Restoration of landmark Leeds mural preserves a piece of city’s cultural heritage

“This artwork is an important part of Leeds’s visual heritage and occupies a significant position within the city’s historic commercial core”

It’s the imposing Leeds mural which has proved a talking point among city centre visitors since the early 1990s.

Cornucopia has been part of the city centre scape – on the side of the building currently occupied by vintage clothing shop Blue Rinse – since it was unveiled in 1990.

The 32 feet high mural was originally commissioned from the late Graeme Willson and won the Leeds Award for Architecture and the Environment.

It depicts the goddess Cornucopia – a symbol of abundance and prosperity – alongside the Leeds Corn Exchange, originally built as a trading hub for local grain merchants, millers and agricultural traders, and features a series of architectural and harvest-inspired motifs that reflect the city’s rich mercantile history.

Fast forward to 2026 and it has been carefully restored back to its former glory.

The restoration was supported by Leeds City Council and funded by Yorkshire-based property developer and investor Rushbond, which owns the neighbouring Grade I listed Leeds Corn Exchange, in partnership with Leeds Civic Trust.

The specialist work was undertaken by local artist Ralph Replete, who carefully hand-cleaned the mural to remove decades of accumulated decay and grime without damaging the original paintwork. The artwork was then sympathetically retouched using the same specialist mineral paint originally used by Graeme Willson, ensuring the integrity and character of the original work has been preserved.

Jonathan Maud, chairman of Rushbond, said: ”Cornucopia was a wonderful gift to the city from the former owners of Leeds Corn Exchange, and it deserved to be given a respectful refresh. Thanks to our incredible partners, including the team at Blue Rinse who were most accommodating in giving us access to the mural, and the meticulous work of Ralph Replete, everyone can once again enjoy this beautiful work of public art. Cornucopia is an important part of Leeds’s cultural heritage and I’m delighted that the many thousands of people who come to Leeds Corn Exchange and Kirkgate every year will once again be greeted by a cultural landmark that reflects both the area’s independent, commercial, creative identity and the true spirit of Leeds.”

The restoration also comes during the year of Leeds’s 400th anniversary celebrations, providing a timely opportunity to reflect on the city’s heritage and the generations of merchants, traders and entrepreneurs who helped shape it.

Martin Hamilton, director of Leeds Civic Trust said: “This artwork is an important part of Leeds’s visual heritage and occupies a significant position within the city’s historic commercial core. We are pleased to help ensure its future and honour the wishes of its creator, Graeme Willson, who very much wanted to see the mural restored.”

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, said: “It’s fabulous to see this beautiful and much-loved public artwork back to its best and we’re proud to have worked with our partners to ensure future generations can enjoy what is a unique and colourful tribute to the city’s past.

“Public art plays an integral role in enriching our urban landscape and telling the city’s story, and as we celebrate Leeds 400 this year, there can be no better time to reflect on the many stunning creations which are such a key part of our cultural heritage.”

The late Graeme Willson was a pioneer of the Public Art movement, and his work can be seen in public spaces across the region. He founded the Yorkshire Mural Artists’ Group in 1978 with a view to bring art out of the gallery and into public spaces where more people could see and appreciate it.

The restored Cornucopia mural. | Ralph Replete

Members of the Willson’s family including his daughter, Lucy, and sisters, Christine and Rosemary, were present at a special celebration event to mark the mural’s restoration, which included an opportunity to view the original Graeme Willson painting maquette – now in the Rushbond collection – which inspired the mural.

Lucy Wright, Graeme Willson’s daughter, said: “Graeme was passionate about art that engaged with the public. He took so much inspiration from Leeds – the architecture, the culture and the people. We’re delighted that this mural, which has been at the heart of the city for so many years, will continue to bring joy to everyone who sees it.”