A GIFTED artist recalls with pride how Andy Burnham allowed him to paint his portrait almost a decade ago.
Peter Davis, from Wilmslow, captured the politician shortly after he became the first Metro Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017.
Now, as Mr Burnham has become Prime Minister and Peter has won acclaim in the National Portrait Gallery, the work of art has been revived for a new exhibition.
Peter, 56, said: “Andy was incredibly generous with his time.
“It was such an honour to meet him and paint his portrait.
“He supported me in the early stage of my career.
“He liked the idea of the importance of the bee symbol to Manchester.”
The worker bee is a historic symbol of Manchester's industrial past.
Peter’s concept, ‘The Bs of Manchester’, depicted bees, Burnham and boroughs.
“The bees are Manchester’s symbol and represent its people, productivity and work ethic,” he said.
“I wanted to show Andy protecting and helping people.
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“He holds a frame from a beehive, symbolising his responsibility to the people of Greater Manchester, while the honey-filled cells subtly form the shape of the city’s 10 boroughs.”
Peter consulted a beekeeper to ensure to ensure his interpretation of bees and how a frame should be held was accurate.
In two sittings, Mr Burnham was happy to sit and stand in different poses as Peter developed his design.
“He was just himself, a genuinely humble guy,” said Peter.
“He was really amenable.”
Peter then spent four months working on the composition in his studio, starting with pencil sketches and then painting with acrylics.
Revealing the finished painting is etched on his memory.
Peter said: “I remember parking in the multi-storey behind his office.
“It was a heavy painting, my arms were aching.
“It was in bubble wrap. I rested it on his meeting table and unveiled it.
“Andy was really positive. It was a very proud moment for me.
“This was an authorised portrait, not a commission. He wasn’t allowed to accept gifts but he let me give a print to his mum.”
The painting will be featured in a show at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery from September 13 to October 29 as part of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition.
Peter said: “Nine years on, I’ve just revisited the painting and made a few tweaks to the face that had been bothering me.
“It was one of my earliest portrait paintings and looking at it with fresh eyes, I can see how much my practice has evolved over the past decade.
“I think this exhibition is a mark of his journey and mine.
“I sensed he was destined for good things.
“He is a good team player.
“There is a thread of honesty and humanity about everything he has done.
“I hope he is given time for the country to see the good guy I believe he is.”
Peter was chosen from 1,474 artists across 63 countries to be featured in this year’s prestigious annual portrait award.
His powerful portrait of Brett French, the nephew of his wife, Natalie, will be on display in a free exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery until October 7.
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