Chester’s Grosvenor Museum has been successful in receiving funding from the Victoria and Albert purchase fund to commission a portrait of Cheshire author Alan Garner.
The portrait has been commissioned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of Alan’s first novel ‘The Weirdstone of Brisingamen’ which is set on Alderley Edge and takes its inspiration from the Legend of Alderley.
Alan grew up in Alderley Edge where his father’s family have lived for more than 400 years.
BP Portrait Award winner Andrew Tift will create the new portrait which will take pride of place in an exhibition at the Museum next September. Afterwards the painting will become part of the Museum’s permanent collection.
Artist Andrew Tift has won numerous awards for his paintings. His work is held in many public collections and includes portraits of Tony Benn and Neil Kinnock.
There have been two portrait sittings so far and Alan says: “Anthropologists find that their subjects often fear that the experience will steal their souls. Andrew works like an anthropologist and I feel that I have been thoroughly studied.”
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Recreation Councillor Richard Short said: “It is extremely important to mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of this novel which has never been out of print as well as honour this Cheshire author."
“The portrait will be completed in time and take pride of place in an exhibition at the Museum next October and Alan’s work will also be included in the Chester Literature Festival at the same time.”
Museum Director Sue Hughes added: “This is really an exciting project for the Museum Service, to acquire a portrait of an important Cheshire author, by a nationally acclaimed artist.
“It is event more exciting to be able to record the process of the commission and to have available the preliminary work that Andrew has put together to inform his final piece.”
In addition to a programme of events planned for the Musuem next year, as part of the Chester Literature Festival, there will be celebrations in Alderley Edge to mark 50 years of the Weirdstone of Brisingamen.
The project, titled 10-10-10, is being lead by Alan's wife Griselda Garner and we will have more details regarding events on the Edge next year.
Photo Caption: Artist Andrew Tift and author Alan Garner at their first meeting.
