THE late, great Everton FC manager Howard Kendall is featured in a new series of contemporary art prints being launched at Fazenda restaurant in Exchange Flags.
The one night art show by Mike O’Shaughnessy, commercial artist and senior art lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, also spotlights Liverpool FC greats Tommy Smith and Steven Gerrard, boxer John Conteh,
O’Shaughnessy, who teaches illustration and graphic design, has produced images and book cover designs for Penguin Books and Harper Collins, and album covers for bands including Elbow.
Following Kendall's recent passing, he said: "I completed the design of my Howard Kendall print over the summer so it was a great shock to hear of Howard's death.
"I'm sure there will be many tributes to Howard as a player, a manager and as a man. But our launch evening will now take on the feel of a tribute to him as well."
The event, on Tuesday November 10 at 6pm, will show off four large A1 framed digital prints on sale for £120 each. A series of smaller A3-sized silk-screened prints of Howard Kendall and Tommy Smith have been signed by their subjects, these are on sale for £70, while unsigned A3 prints are for sale at £40 each.
Silk-screen prints which are unsigned but individually hand drawn monographs of John Conteh and Steven Gerrard, are on sale in two sizes, at £30 and £45.
Mike said: “The work has a nostalgic quality but also elements of autographic text and European abstract modernism.
“The four sporting legends are all Liverpool icons, especially for people of a certain vintage. But I’m impressed by how many young people know their history and appreciate the artwork.
“There are many portrait and action images out there for the mass market. These are for a more cool and sophisticated audience.”
A selection of prints will be framed up, ready to purchase and take away on the night. 10 percent of all sales will go to the local charity Vital Signs Foundation. Prints can be viewed and purchased here.
*Mike O'Shaughnessy Sporting Legends art launch, Fazenda, Exchange Flags, Liverpool, Tuesday November 10. 6pm. Free
