The mural was painted by renowned street artist Akse P19, whose work often immortalises cultural icons, from Mark E. Smith to Ian Curtis. The black-and-white artwork is based on a photograph of Rourke taken during The Smiths’ 1985 tour, performing at Dundee’s Caird Hall. Next to the painting is a prominent logo of the Pancreatic Cancer Action charity

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Mike Joyce, Rourke’s bandmate and drummer for The Smiths, attended the unveiling and praised the mural in an interview with BBC Radio Manchester: “I knew it was going to be good; I just didn’t realise how good it would be.” Reflecting on Rourke’s musical legacy, Joyce added, “He gained immortality when he played those bass lines, and those bass lines are here forever.”

Rourke’s role in The Smiths has often been overshadowed by the spotlight on Morrissey and Johnny Marr. However, his intricate bass work, particularly on Meat Is Murder, provided a solid foundation that allowed the singer and guitarist to shine. This mural is a reminder of his importance to the band and Manchester’s music scene. The Wheatsheaf’s owners, Robert Ashton and Lisa Booth, were eager to support the project. “We’re a music pub, we both love music, so we said yes straightaway,” they told BBC Manchester. The mural cements the Northern Quarter’s reputation as a hub for Manchester’s musical heritage.

The project also served as a fundraising effort, with over £32,000 raised so far for the Pancreatic Cancer Action charity. Mike Joyce played a key role, offering personalised rewards for donors, including signed Smiths vinyl and prints of the original photograph used for the mural. “We wanted to do something to celebrate Andy’s life,” Joyce explained. “We initially thought we’d put on a gig or a DJ show… but the next day, it would have been over. Now, we have something that will last forever.”

Manchester has long been a city proud of its musical history, with tributes to local icons like Mark E. Smith, Pete Shelley, and Liam Gallagher adorning its streets. These must-see locations have been a boost for tourism, drawing music fans to landmarks like Salford Lads Club and the murals of the Northern Quarter.

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The reaction to the Rourke mural has been overwhelmingly positive. Reddit user InnerBlacksmith1858 summarised the sentiment: “Criminally underrated. [Joyce] and Rourke both.” Fans have expressed gratitude that a quieter, yet essential, part of The Smiths’ rhythm section is receiving overdue recognition.

What a tribute to one of Mancunia’s finest.

— ChrisL20 (@Drainstarrrr) November 21, 2024

With its thoughtful design, the mural strikes a balance between honouring Rourke and raising awareness for pancreatic cancer. As Joyce aptly put it, Andy Rourke’s legacy is immortal—and now it’s painted in his home city for all to see.

Groundbreaking British painter Dawn Mellor has been tasked with crafting the honorary mural. With a longstanding residency at the Tate, London, Mellor is more than capable of creating a beautiful permanent fixture for the late great singer.

The mural will be a visual representation of Michael’s life and career, and will be uncloaked during Brent Borough of Culture 2020. Along with the grand reveal will be an assortment of activities and learning programmes for the public, all of which will take place at the local schools that the beloved pop star attended. A spokesperson for the event said that “It will be taken forward and fundraised for by Metroland Cultures, the new charity established to deliver the year of culture programme,” 

The painting is part of elsewhere, a collection curated by Studio Voltaire that features a series of public artworks dotted across the city of London. Studio Voltaire is one of the United Kingdom’s key players for the art world. It is a leading non-profit arts organisation that focuses on exposing the exciting work of emerging or relatively unknown artists in the industry. 

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Announcing our next commission: Dawn Mellor Artist Dawn Mellor will create their first permanent public artwork: a nine-metre high mural in Kingsbury, Brent, celebrating the life of local hero George Michael, who lived and went to school in the area. Mellor’s artwork is part of Studio Voltaire elsewhere – a series of offsite commissions taking place around London. Co-commissioned by Studio Voltaire, Brent Borough of Culture 2020 and Create London, it will launch in September 2020 in Kingsbury as part of the Brent Biennial – a series of projects for Brent Borough of Culture 2020. A programme of engagement will take place with schools that George Michael attended, as well as talks, walks and workshops. Link in bio. Image: Dawn Mellor, Studies of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, 1984-5, courtesy Dawn Mellor

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No stranger to painting celebrities, Mellor has created portraits of some of society’s most recognised names in arts and culture, including Karl Largerfeld and none other than her majesty, Queen Elizabeth. However, the upcoming Michael mural will be the first public piece of art for Manchester-born artist Mellor.

As well as the honourary mural, Michael’s name was added into The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography in January of this year. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is an esteemed book that ensembles life stories and legacies from prestigious British individuals across history.

Notable new additions to The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography include fellow music icon David Bowie and record producer Sir George Martin. As new entries into the book are only permitted following the death of the influential individual, all of 2020’s additions having passed away in 2016.

George Michael, born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, was widely known for being a part of the exemplary pop group, Wham! Created with his longtime friend Andrew Ridgely, Wham! Formed in London in 1981. 

Bursting on their scene with their electric debut album, Fantastic, Michael and Ridgely shook the pop world in the best possible way, and went on to make three phenomenal albums together. Penning many cult classics, some of the most notable being Club Tropicana, Everything She Wants, and I’m Your Man, Wham! Were pioneers in the 1980s pop revival.

As well as a thriving solo career and releasing classic hits Freedom, Careless Whisper and Faith, George Michael was heavily involved in record producing and philanthropy. Heartbreakingly, Michael passed away suddenly on Christmas Day in 2016, but his revolutionary music will live on forever.