Academy of Light Mural

After being shortlisted, myself and Jessica Browne were asked to create the mural that will be displayed in the parents entrance of the Academy of Light. After 6 days of working at the Academy and working with the maintenance men, and Don Peattie the Head of Education at the Academy we finally finished the mural on the 3rd of February.

These photographs show the start of the mural. Jess' part of the mural represents Penshaw Monument as a goal fram and the river Wear passing under it with marbles as buoys representing Sunderland's glass heritage and the National Glass Centre.

My drawings at the bottom of the pictutes show the Monkwearmouth Bridge; linking the city and the club with memories of the Homecoming of the 1973 FA Cup winning team, Kevin Phillips; the only English footballer to win the European Golden Shoe who played for SAFC for 6 years. On the right side of the Davy Lamp (Sunderland's link to the mining of the city) is a copy of a photograph from the 1973 FA Cup Final of Jimmy Montgomery and Bob Stokoe, the goalkeeper and manager at the time. This is one of the most iconic photographs in SAFC history. And finally at the far right there is a drawing of Roker Lighthouse.

With help from Alice and Jess I managed to finish the portraits while they finished off the bridge and the lighthouse better than I ever could have. Using emulsion paint was extremely difficult because I was painting over silk with matt paint which meant everything needed 2 or 3 coats. This was more difficult while painting the portraits because I could never get the skin colours right until they colours dried.

This is the finished product. I was quite emotional when we varnished it and had to leave the Academy. Overall I am so pleased with how it turned out and hope the Academy love it as much as me and Jess do.