Local artist celebrates women of Manchester with new artwork

Manchester born artist Justin Eagleton has released a limited edition print paying homage to the women of Manchester, just in time for International Women’s Day.

This digital creation captures scientists, suffragettes, media stars, comedians and many of the female role models and icons that helped put Manchester on the map – and is also raising money for charity.

The artwork centres around Emmeline Pankhurst from Moss Side, who revolutionised the right to vote as she spearheaded the Suffragette movement which changed the voting rights of women across the world.

“I have been working on and off with this piece of art for some time now and it brings together elements I have designed for education purposes, parts of other empowering art I have created and the key element of iconic women who have either been born in Manchester or made their name here,” says Justin.

“Womanchester is a phrase that has been used recently by many marketing companies to encompass the impact that women have made on our city and I am proud to add to that message with my artwork. 

“Ahead of International Women’s Week I wanted to release a new piece of artwork that would really highlight the difference many of the women within it have made to the city I love.”

For each print sold, Justin will also be donating a portion of the profits to Prevent Breast Cancer, a local Manchester based charity close to his heart.

“A percentage of the sales of this artwork will be donated to Prevent Breast Cancer (PBC) who are an amazing Manchester based charity based at Wythenshawe Hospital and they are the only UK Charity solely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer in both men and women,” he says.

“I have worked with PBC for a number of years now and there is no better symbol of hope and support to women than this amazing cause and I am proud to be working with them again.”

Justin is no stranger when it comes to giving back to the community, having raised over £55,000 for local community projects and local Manchester charities in the past 18 months.

He is also supporting Prevent Breast Cancer with his live online art classes, streamed live every Thursday at 7pm. 

“I cover a lot of the basic skills and techniques you need to draw something really special,” says Justin.

“We cover everything from constructing the bare bones of an image to shading and adding fine details.

“I’ve had a lot of people tell me that they are terrible at drawing and haven’t picked up a pen or pencil to draw in years, who have then gone on to create some really impressive work.” 

Born and bred in Manchester, Justin has over 25 years’ experience working in the creative industries ranging from his early days designing and making props and sets for TV and exhibitions to becoming a lead graphic artist within the games industry, working with industry giants such as EA Sports on many of its best-selling FIFA titles. 

Since leaving the games industry Justin has gone onto working with a range of top clients such as Malmaison Hotels, The Manchester United Foundation and Gatwick Airport more recently the Hacienda, where Justin created the first piece of artwork officially for the iconic club brand.

Limited edition Womanchester prints are available to buy from justineagleton.com. You can sign up to the art classes here.