Tony’s Sheer class picture is art winner
THE first online Macclesfield Open Art Exhibition took place and the prize-winning piece was a picture of singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.
The virtual event took place from June 12 to Sunday, August 16, and had 651 exhibits from 236 artists.
And winner of the visitors’ choice award was Tony Needham, 51, from Macclesfield, for his painting of the pop star.
Tony was interested in art as a youngster - it was his favourite subject at school - but has only recently taken up painting again.
He said: “I started to draw and remembered my passion for the art of drawing. After such a long break it all came flooding back to me, and I was once again hooked.
“That was four years ago, and I have now moved onto oil painting, which is my passion - portraits in particular.
“It is important to me to find an image that expresses some kind of powerful emotion, of any kind.”
The event started in 2013 and was held at the Silk Museum gallery and when the venue closed in 2018 its annual run ended.
But it was brought back this year during lockdown and moved online for the first time because of coronavirus restrictions.
Money was raised for East Cheshire Hospice, as although entry was free artists made a donation.
And further donations were made if any of the artwork was bought.
Exhibits ranged in style from abstract to photorealism and include paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramic, prints and photographs.
The visitors’ choice award was sponsored by Macclesfield Town Council.
Upon winning it, Tony said: “This is so amazing. I’ve never won anything with my art before, and the fact that there are so many great pieces of art, and so many artists involved is fantastic.
“I am so very pleased and grateful and want to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for me.”
Co-organiser Geoff Archer added: “The standard of the work was exceptionally high. Many of the artists are from in and around the town, though some come from further afield and there were even entries from ex-Maxonians living abroad.
“Whilst much of the work will have been produced prior to the current crisis, some had clearly been made in more recent weeks, at least judging by the titles, with references to isolation, social distancing and lockdown.”