The Mayor and Mayoress of Wolverhampton

Alex Vann

I was asked to paint a portrait in oils of the current Wolverhampton Mayor and Mayoress, Ian and Paula Brookfield at the end of 2015. I met with the couple, to sketch them and ask questions about their life. I wanted to include as much imagery relevant to them as possible, being inspired by the artists Christian Hook and Laura Quinn who I'd seen on Sky Portrait Artist of the Year.
The painting shows the couple in their official chains of office and other symbols show their personal 'story'.
These symbols include the Wolverhampton and Liverpool skylines (where they originate); newspaper clippings of mothers with babies on picket lines; a collage of a piece of musical script very personal to them; badges in support of Liverpool, Everton and Wolverhampton football clubs; Rock Against Racism and LGBT. Homage is also paid to Barcelona, Figueres and Salvador Dali, all important features for the couple.
I presented the painting to the couple in the Mayor's parlour on the 18th February 2016. It was received very well and is currently on display there.

See Alex Vann’s Gallery