Work has started on a mural paying tribute to former Stone Roses and Primal Scream bass player Gary “Mani” Mounfield on a pub in Oldham.
The piece will be painted at the La Fardy pub, formerly The Sun Inn, on Oldham Road, Failsworth, and will be created by artist Pic.One.Art.
It comes as part of a community-led initiative launched by the not-for-profit art organisation Grit Studios to celebrate Mani after his death late last year, and inspired by Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown who said at the funeral that he wanted to campaign for a 50ft statue of his former bandmate.
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John Macaulay, co-founder of Grit Studios, said: “Mani was one of the warmest, funniest and most generous people I’ve ever known. He had time for everyone. The work we did together over a decade ago genuinely changed my life, and without his support, Grit Studios probably wouldn’t exist.
“The support so far for this campaign has been incredible. There’s still time for people to get involved and donate to the crowdfunder, and every contribution is helping us not only bring this mural to life but also raise vital funds for Maggie’s in Manchester.”
Mani’s brother Greg Mounfield helped secure the location for the work and has supported the project from the beginning. Proceeds will go to Maggie’s as the charity helped Mani’s wife Imelda during her cancer treatment.
Mani died in November last year
Dame Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie’s, said: “Everyone at Maggie’s was deeply saddened about Mani’s passing last year.
“We remember Mani and Imelda so fondly from when we supported them at our Manchester centre after Imelda’s cancer diagnosis.
“Their generosity and time meant a great deal to us, and Mani spoke about how the kindness shown to them helped restore his faith in human nature.
“I am delighted that a mural will be created in Mani’s honour in the community that meant so much to him. We are incredibly grateful that the money raised will support Maggie’s – it will make a real difference for people impacted by cancer in Manchester.”
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Pic.One.Art said he “couldn’t wait to get started” on the mural, adding that “Mani meant so much to so many people” and it was “an honour to be asked to create something that celebrates his life”.
Mani played on the Stone Roses’ self-titled 1989 debut album and its follow-up The Second Coming, released in 1994.
After the band broke up he joined Scottish rock band Primal Scream, featuring on albums including Vanishing Point (1997), XTRMNTR (2000) and Riot City Blues (2006).
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