Culture
by Katerina Papathanasiou

From Rented Flat to Art Treasure: The Story of Ron’s Place

A large sculpted Minotaur head with an open mouth serving as a fireplace, set against a red-painted background with classical-style murals on the surrounding walls. The room, part of Ron Gittins' art-filled flat, features intricate frescoes, sculptural details, and eclectic artistic elements.
A large sculpted Minotaur head with an open mouth serving as a fireplace, set against a red-painted background with classical-style murals on the surrounding walls. The room, part of Ron Gittins' art-filled flat, features intricate frescoes, sculptural details, and eclectic artistic elements.
Ron Gittins’ mesmerizing Minotaur fireplace, a striking feature of his art-filled home—now preserved as Britain’s first listed Outsider Art environment. | Photo courtesy of ronsplace.co.uk.

From the outside, Ron’s Place, a formerly rented flat in Oxton, Birkenhead, looks like any other home on the street. But behind its unassuming exterior lies a hidden world of artistic wonder. For over 30 years, Ron Gittins, a self-taught artist, transformed this space into a personal masterpiece—one that had never been seen by anyone during his lifetime.

It wasn’t until after his death in 2019 that the flat, full of sculptural works and vibrant murals, was discovered. Today, it holds the honor of being England’s first Grade II listed Outsider Art home.

A Hidden World of Art

While Gittins had no formal art training, his talent and creativity were undeniable. Fascinated by history, he drew inspiration from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, weaving mythological and classical motifs into his work. He experimented with Portland cement and fine aggregates, developing his own unique sculpting methods. In one room, a seven-foot lion’s head fireplace commands attention, while in another, a Minotaur’s head seems to emerge from the wall. The walls of his flat were transformed into floor-to-ceiling murals, painted using hand-mixed pigments in a traditional fresco style. Every inch of his space became a canvas, capturing his artistic and imaginative vision.

From Private Space to Cultural Landmark

Ron’s Place is not just an art installation; it’s a living testament to how art can be shaped by passion rather than convention. The flat remained private and unseen for many years, as no one visited while Gittins was alive. When plans were made to clear the property after his death, the Wirral Arts and Culture Community Land Trust (WACCLT) stepped in, recognizing the artistic value of the space and fighting to preserve it for future generations.

The Georgian Room at Ron’s Place, featuring hand-painted murals on pink walls. A naval scene with ships decorates one side, while framed frescoes of a military figure in a blue and red coat and a woman in classical attire adorn another. Sculpted frames and decorative busts on the painted fireplace add to the room’s historic and artistic ambiance.
Ron Gittins’ intricate frescoes and sculpted frames give the Georgian Room the illusion of a grand, timeworn gallery within his home | Photo courtesy of ronsplace.co.uk.

A National Treasure

Ron’s Place is more than just a private sanctuary; it’s a cultural landmark. By preserving this unconventional masterpiece, we see how art can transcend traditional boundaries, proving that creativity can flourish anywhere, even in the most unexpected places. Thanks to grassroots efforts, Ron’s legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come.