Horse-punch painting

A PAINTING inspired by one of the most notorious incidents to ever take place at a Tyne-Wear derby is to go on sale – for £1,100.

It is the work of artist Sam Wood, who based it on a photograph depicting the shocking moment a Newcastle United fan squared up to a police horse before punching it.

“It was an amazing image and one that stirred a lot of emotions,” said Sam, 24, from Newcastle.

“It’s an image people respond to and captures a certain moment in time.”

It was in April 2013 in the aftermath of Newcastle’s 3-0 home defeat to arch-rivals Sunderland that Barry Rogerson, from Bedlington, punched a police horse called Bud.

Rogerson pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to violent disorder and was sentenced to a year in jail.

Ironically Sam initially got into a bit of bother himself with the photographer who took the picture of the incident he based the painting on without first asking permission. However the artist said the dispute has now been resolved.

It is one of a collection of his recent paintings which will preview tonight and be part of an exhibition lasting until September 15. Sam is a full-time artist with a growing reputation after featuring in a Financial Times article titled ‘Invest in the Leading Artists of Tomorrow.’

He graduated from Newcastle College with a degree in Art specialising in painting, and has recently completed his BA Honours in Fine Art at Falmouth University, Cornwall.