A bronze sculpture of Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester's Mayor, will be officially unveiled at a prominent art event in the city this weekend. The sculpture was created by artist Anthony D Padgett as part of a project that aims to address the underrepresentation of Northern political leaders in art, and it will be showcased at this year's Manchester Art Fair.
The 56-year-old Morecambe-based artist spent 40 hours completing the bronze bust, with most of the work done in his Lancashire studio. However, part of the creative process also took place in Burnham's Manchester office during sitting sessions with the Mayor himself. Padgett was inspired to create this artwork after hearing Burnham speak about Universal Basic Income in 2022.
According to Padgett, the sculpture represents an effort to balance the political representation gap between Northern and Southern England in artistic works. "Politicians in London have a great profile," Padgett explained. "The same cannot often be said of regional leaders. I wanted to address this and promote figures of the North on a national scale." He added that after hearing Andy speak, Burnham "was a natural choice" because "he's a passionate advocate for the city and the North."
The artist emphasized the importance of recognizing Manchester's cultural and economic significance. "It's important that we positively address the regional divide. Manchester has a phenomenal cultural sector and is an economic powerhouse. It has a value in its own right and this should be valued and appreciated," Padgett stated.
Work on the 18-kilogram bronze bust began in 2022 when Padgett first met with the Greater Manchester Mayor to take essential photographs and measurements at the Mayoral Office. The sculpture was completed in late summer 2023, and when Padgett had the opportunity to show the finished work to Burnham, the Mayor thanked him for the honor. This marks the first time the Morecambe-based artist has created a work representing a living figure, as his previous art focused on late poets and other notable historical figures.
At last year's Manchester Art Fair, Padgett exhibited seven works inspired by Vincent Van Gogh, including a detailed representation of a pipe similar to the one featured in Van Gogh's 1888 painting "The Chair." This year's fair promises to be equally diverse, featuring works from nationally acclaimed Manchester oil painter and artist to the King, Chloe Cox, as well as Brighton-based textile artist Corinna Wilson.
The Manchester Art Fair, running from November 21 to 23 at Manchester Central, will also showcase work from sculptor and painter Jamie Frost and feature a unique art car collaboration between Porsche and Boodles, created by artist Sophie Tea. Padgett, a long-standing exhibitor, expressed his enthusiasm about participating in this year's event: "The organizers' commitment to bringing something new year-on-year is commendable. I'm delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to that newness this year and to unveil my sculpture of Andy Burnham at the event."
The artist plans to share his story with visitors while displaying his wider collection of work at the fair. Three versions of the bronze bust have been created: one will be gifted to a renowned UK gallery for display in its national collection, though details about the chosen gallery remain confidential. A second bust will be presented to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham himself, while Padgett will retain the third.
Sophie Helm, Director of Manchester Art Fair, praised the significance of Padgett's work, describing it as more than just art. "Anthony's work is not merely art, it's a powerful and necessary commentary on the historical imbalance of representation in our national galleries," Helm stated. "His vision aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering inclusive and meaningful dialogue and we are proud to continue supporting an artist who consistently uses their creativity to challenge the status quo."
Burnham has served as Greater Manchester Mayor since 2017, overseeing the city-region's development and growth. Tickets for the Manchester Art Fair start at £12 and are available for purchase online for the three-day event.
