Manchester artwork planned to celebrate music legend Tony Wilson
- Written by Niamh Spence
- Last updated 3 years ago
- Art & Design, Community, Music, People
A mural depicting Manchester music legend Tony Wilson is to be unveiled at a Withington barber shop this week, 14 years after his death.
The artwork has been created by Brighton street artist duo The Postman.
Inspired by the Marcus Rashford mural in Withington, they became aware of crowdfunded street art initiative Withington Walls and realised they shared a mutual love for Tony.
So they hunted down rock photographer Kevin Cummins’ image of Tony Wilson and got his permission for it to be used, whilst Ed Wellard at Withington Walls found the perfect mural spot for the artwork to be displayed.
The concept is to create a triple artwork of Tony reflecting three different aspects of his life – the man, the record label genius and the night owl. The finished piece will have pride of place in one of Withington’s prominent spots.
Ed Wellard said: “Withington Walls are very excited about iconic photographer Kevin Cummings’ shot of cultural catalyst Tony Wilson, outside the original Factory Records offices at 86 Palatine Road, being given the famous The Postman treatment down the road at the Mensroom barbers.”
The artwork will be unveiled at The Mensroom barbershop on Palatine Road in Withington on Wednesday 11th August at 10am.
The Postman said: “In our daily lives we are unwillingly bombarded with adverts that are hard to escape from. We want to spread love on the streets by creating free art for people to enjoy. Art that doesn’t discriminate. Art that surprises you in places where you least expect it. Art that is colourful, that celebrates our heroes past and present and shows them in new light.”
Tony Wilson died in 2007 from a heart attack after a career that saw him work with some of the biggest Manchester music names including Happy Mondays, Joy Division and New Order. He founded and managed the Haçienda nightclub throughout the 1980s and 90s and is often credited as being a key player behind the Manchester music scene that is still so well known today.
- This article was last updated 3 years ago.
- It was first published on 11 August 2021 and is subject to be updated from time to time. Please refresh or return to see the latest version.
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