Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Fans queue for art

Penny Coles
30/ 5/2007

GLOSSOP North End fans have been immortalised in a new piece of art.

The giant 6ft by 3ft painting shows them queuing at the ground's turnstiles and was created by Alan Grantham and controversial artist Derek Ackley.

Derek, 77, hit the headlines last year when his painting of a nude was withdrawn from public view after a pensioner complained.

He and Alan chose a football theme for the star attraction of their exhibition this year.

Derek, of Oakfield Road, Hadfield, said: "I like controversial art because it gets people thinking and I am working on some ideas for future projects.

"But this year Alan wanted to do a large painting and we thought the footballers would work well."

The football painting, called Dad, has an accompanying poem by Derek, who said he was inspired by the little boy in the picture.

The pair are old friends and attend an art class in Hadfield once a week.

Alan, of Beechfield Road, Hadfield, paints despite having Parkinson's disease.

He said: "There are about 40 paintings - a mixture of both of our work from the last couple of years.

"I like to work in watercolours and have a collection that includes some cloudscapes and a more modern piece.

"Derek likes to work with oils and pastels and goes for anything he finds a challenge. There is absolutely something for everyone, I think."

The exhibition, which is free, will be held at Bradbury House, Market Street, Glossop, from 1-30 June.