Visitors in attendance at this year’s Manchester Art Fair Preview were left seeing double as the Mayor of Greater Manchester stood alongside a bronze bust created in his name.

The sculpture, which sees every fine detail of the Mayor captured in cast iron form, is the work of acclaimed artist Anthony D Padgett, and designed to address the representational imbalance of political leaders in national art collections.

It took the Morecambe based artist over 40 hours to create and weighs 18kg.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Greater Manchester Mayor said: “I’m a little lost for words, which doesn’t always happen, but I am, because it’s quite a thing to be confronted with a piece as powerful.  It’s quite an emotional reaction to it in some ways.  It’s a strange thing to come face-to-face with.  I look very intense, like Everton has gone one nil down in the Merseyside Derby is what I look like.”

Adding on what it means to him, the Mayor said: “I’m truly honoured by what Anthony has done.  No one has ever approached me with anything like this before and it was something that moved me quite a lot when he said he wanted to do it, and the reasons why he wanted to do it.

“To see the finished thing…the way Anthony puts it, as an artist of the North doing something on me, who has tried to dedicate my career to the North of England, it kind of matters.  That partnership between us both spoke to me a little bit, I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to do it”

The Strong Agency was delighted to lead the communication around the unveiling, working with all parties to ensure a successful launch.  Effectively navigating a number of complexities, extensive national and regional coverage was enjoyed including The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The i Paper, LBC, Global Media, Manchester Evening News, About Manchester and Manchester World.

It was complemented by wider nationwide event coverage including aspirational titles Marie Claire and i Weekend.  Coverage continues to build, with over 90 features captured at the time of writing.  All featured in the client’s core target media.

Speaking on the decision to unveil the work at Manchester Art Fair, the Mayor said: “This [Manchester Art Fair] is an amazing event, walking in at the opening and seeing the crowds coming in and wandering around.  What an incredible celebration of Northern art.  To be at such a prestigious event, it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

The Strong Agency is proud to offer extensive expertise in art and cultural PR.  For further details on our work with Manchester Art Fair, one of the UK’s largest and most significant art fairs, see our case study, found under Strong Work.

We’re delighted to have been appointed by EASELprojects to manage the PR and communication for Manchester Art Fair as the acclaimed art and cultural event returns to the city this November 15-17.

Established in 2008, Manchester Art Fair is one of the largest and most significant art fairs in the UK and has amassed over £7m in art sales since inception.

This year’s edition will see over 170 UK and individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces brought together at Manchester Central, complemented by an impressive programme of high-profile talks, immersive experiences, and workshops.

It is the fifth consecutive year The Strong Agency, has been tasked with promoting the fair, with the agency responsible for raising the profile of the event in the northern, national, and specialist arts press, and driving visiting attendance.

Speaking on the appointment, Director of Manchester Art Fair, Sophie Helm, said: “As we look forward to the return of Manchester Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary this November 15-17, we are delighted to announce our work with The Strong Agency.

“The team’s reappointment is testament to the creative thinking, hard work, and incredible outcomes delivered by The Strong Agency over the past five years.  Their passion for the event is unwavering and The Strong Agency a valued extension of our marketing and event team.”

Strong founder, Julie Wilson, added: “Designed for the collector, curator and the simply curious, Manchester Art Fair is a significant date in the UK & European arts and culture calendar.  We’re delighted to have the opportunity to further elevate the profile of the highly coveted event as we count down to the fair’s most impressive edition to date.

The appointment follows an in-depth strategic review of Manchester Art Fair and the event’s PR and marketing strategy.  Work is already underway with art enthusiasts invited to secure their place and save by booking advance tickets now at manchesterartfair.co.uk/tickets. 

The Strong Agency is proud to offer extensive experience in the arts & culture sector.  To discuss your PR and communications requirements get in touch at Jules@thestrongagency.co.uk

Leading UK sign maker Astra Signs has announced its support of Gratitude.  A spectacular public art installation designed to pay homage to the ongoing courage and dedication of NHS staff and all key workers during the pandemic.

Organised by global art company Wild in Art and sponsored by Astra Signs,  the free exhibition consists of 51 sculptures, all designed by individual artists and curated in partnership with creative ambassador Dame Zandra Rhodes.

The event, which launched in Birmingham and is available to see in Manchester now, will also tour Edinburgh and London before the sculptures are auctioned off at a later date.  The substantial proceeds will be donated to NHS Charities Together (Registered Charity Number 1186569), which supports the NHS, including its hospitals, ambulance services, community and mental healthcare providers and vital partnerships.

Standing tall amongst the installation is Astra Signs’ sponsored sculpture, Faces of Lockdown, created by acclaimed Manchester illustrator and mural painter, Hammo.   As official signage partner the Manchester-headquartered company is also also providing expert direction on the logistics, design, branding and install of the impressive event.  It is also producing all brand assets including floor vinyls, toblerones, fence panels and crowd barrier covers.

Speaking on the sponsorship, Founder and Managing Director of Astra Signs, David Derbyshire said:  “Gratitude is a spectacular and visually arresting art installation in aid of an incredible cause.  We’re thrilled to be able to support Wild in Art in the production of the event and to honour NHS staff and Key Workers nationwide for all that they have selflessly done to help others these last 18 months.”

The partnership is the latest in a long list of art and cultural events supported by Astra Signs and one we were delighted to promote.   The Strong Agency is a Manchester PR agency offering extensive experience in art and cultural PR.  To learn more about our work in the sector see here or to discuss how we can help you get in touch at Jules@thestrongagency.co.uk.