Culpeper mural
Global Street Art
Public Art Mural | October 2025
Designed and painted by
Claire Ward-Thornton, Art Hoppers
At Puma Court, Shoreditch, London E1
In partnership with: Global Street Art
client: Essential Living
Culpeper mural, Shoreditch
I’ve been working in partnership with Global Street Art to design and deliver a new mural for their client Essential Living. This beautiful building on the corner of Puma Court and Commercial Street in the heart of Shoreditch lends itself to the story of an iconic resident from our past.
The mural takes inpsiration for the life of herbalist Nicholas Culpeper. Culpeper lived in Red Lion House during the early 17th century which would have stood in approximately the location of the mural. The house was demolished in the 1840’s to make way for the widening of what is now Commercial Street.
Nicholas Culpeper was a physician, a herbalist, a botanist and a keen astrologer. His english translation of The London Pharmacopoeia from latin awarded him a rebellious reputation amougst the medical profession and angered physicians who claimed he dispruted the health system at the time.
The London Pharmacopoeia was a leagal document published in 1618 by The Royal College of Physicians. It resulted in the standardisation of the type of drugs which apothecary’s could use and the strict methods of preparation in the making of medicine.
Culpeper’s translation of this publication included the catalogue of ingredients, the remedial recipies plus their uses and application. His work provided access to the knowledge of basic health provision for free to all.
Image Gallery
Photos and video: Carolina Lopez, Global Street Art.
Design Development
RESEARCH
My method of design begins with research. I was curious to learn more about herbal remedies and their uses. I began reading Culpeper’s Complete Herbal. Connections between plants and their astrological virtues came into play suggesting various narratives.
One of the most well studied plants today – St. John’s Wort – is recognised for it’s healing properties with regard to wounds, burns, depression and anxiety. According to Culpeper, this plant is governed by the sun and under the celestial sign of Leo.
The image of the lion provided an exciting connection between Culpeper’s home Red Lion House and his interest in astrology. And St. John’s Wort with its bright yellow flowers and radiating stamens brings light to the north facing wall on which the mural is painted, through design.
In keeping with its solar symbolism, I discoverd that St. John’s Wort was traditionally used in celebration of the summer solstice and suspended over doorways along with green birch, long fennel, orpine and white lilies to protect against evil spirirts. With this, I find my collection of botanicals for the mural.
The stars which journey around the three ellipses in the design play homage to celestial readings and astrological botany. The compass with it’s cardinal points orientated for readings from above is a playful reminder of the scale and influence of plantary forces in Culpeper’s day and the seeking of knowledge from the skies.
Final Design
