MASTER CLASS: Artist Mackenzie Thorpe at work on the poppy
THE front cover of today’s historic edition of The Northern Echo was produced by acclaimed North-East artist Mackenzie Thorpe.
The Middlesbrough-born artist, whose work is in demand all over the world, was asked to work on a poppy design and the front page is the spectacular result.
SPECIAL EDITION: Today’s front page of The Northern Echo
Against a dramatic sky, a poppy is depicted with a dew drop, which also symbolises a tear. Inside the tear is a subtle silhouette of a group of soldiers.
Mackenzie, who established the Arthaus gallery in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has also produced a second poppy painting which is used on today’s back page and inside cover.
Earlier this year, to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War, The Northern Echo launched the “£100,000 for 100 Years” appeal in aid of the Phoenix House rehabilitation centre, which was established by the Help For Heroes charity at Catterick Garrison just over a year ago.
It was seen as the perfect way to bridge the generations of British soldiers, and the original Mackenzie Thorpe poppy paintings will be auctioned in aid of the Phoenix House appeal.
Mackenzie said: “When I was contacted by the editor of The Northern Echo and told about the Remembrance Sunday edition, and how they wanted me to draw the front page, it was music to my ears. It was a special idea and, of course, I wanted to be involved. I’d visited the Phoenix House rehabilitation centre at Catterick Garrison and wanted to do something to help. This was the opportunity I had been looking for.
“If I can put an image on the front page on such an important day, I’m going to be so proud and my Mum’s going to see it and everybody I know is going to see it. I didn’t care what was going on in my life – everything stopped. So, I started at 2am and I did the piece and I’d finished it within 48 hours of being asked for it,”
SHOWING HIS HAND: Mackenzie Thorpe reveals his technique during the creation of the poppy artwork
Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, said: “To be quite honest, I thought it was pie in the sky when it was suggested that we should ask Mackenzie Thorpe to design the front page. But from the moment I spoke to him and explained what we were trying to do, he said he wanted to be involved. He said his mind was buzzing with ideas and, within days, he came up with the paintings you see in the Remembrance Sunday edition.
“This is a man who has gone from humble beginnings to become an artist whose work is in demand all over the world. But he has given his time and talents to a cause which is clearly close to his heart. We are overwhelmed with his response and the work he has produced.
“We started planning the Remembrance Sunday edition a year ago and it was always our intention to produce something special. I have no doubt that Mackenzie’s contribution will help make this one of the most memorable chapters in the paper’s proud 144-year history.”
