RIK MAYALL now has pride of place after a print of him was unveiled at a Mossley bar.
But why is a comedian and actor born in Harlow, Essex, looking down on all those who enter The Gillery?
The answer is simple, his great-great-great-grandfather John built the building it is situated in.
Mossley-based artist Simon Mound is responsible for creating the image of Rik, which hangs proudly above the main bar area.
He also unveiled prints of actor Steve McQueen and legendary DJ John Peel, while fellow artist Phil Wagstaff has several others around the Stamford Road venue, the main one focusing on the women’s suffrage movement, which has local links.
Being asked to have his work on show close to his home, though, was a huge honour for Simon, even if it did make him a little nervous.
He said: “It had been a long while since any of us were able to do anything like that and I’ve always been a believer in taking art away from the galleries.
“In places like The Gillery, it’s just more accessible. For me, this kind of thing is what I like to do.
“The Rik Mayall piece to about three or four weeks to create and we’re all inspired by things that we see and just keeping our eyes open.
“This one, though, is historically-based on descendants from Mossley, even though it is something that could make people go, ‘Why is he on that wall?’
“It’s a good thing to start conversations and make people talk in a public building – and adding to what’s around Mossley gives me great pride.”
I commissioned Phil to do three paintings for me 18 years ago and was very happy with his work he is very talented.