![\"Artist](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2_AMR_MEN_131125_AB.jpg\")
Artist Anthony D Padgett is set to unveil a bronze sculpture of Andy Burnham this week(Image: Anthony Padgett)<\/p>\nThe Greater Manchester Mayor was considered a ‘natural choice’ to be the subject of the bronze bustArtist Anthony D Padgett is set to unveil a bronze sculpture of Andy Burnham this week(Image: Anthony Padgett)<\/p>\n
A sculpture of Andy Burnham is to be officially unveiled at a top event in the city this weekend.<\/p>\n
The Greater Manchester Mayor, who has overseen the city-region since 2017, has been replicated in cast iron form by sculpture artist Anthony D Padgett for a project which will be shown at this year\u2019s Manchester Art Fair. It took Padgett 40 hours to complete the bronze bust, with the majority of work made in his Lancashire<\/a> studio.<\/p>\n Creating the artwork was also undertaken from within the Mayor\u2019s Manchester office during sittings with Burnham himself. The Morecambe-based artist, 56, said he was inspired to represent the Mayor in his latest work after seeing Burnham speak on the subject of Universal Basic Income back in 2022.<\/p>\n The artist said he hopes bronze sculpture will help address the Northern and Southern imbalance of political leaders represented in art. “Politicians in London have a great profile,\u201d Padgett said. \u201cThe same cannot often be said of regional leaders. I wanted to address this and promote figures of the North on a national scale.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving heard Andy speak, he was a natural choice. He\u2019s a passionate advocate for the city and the North. It\u2019s important that we positively address the regional divide. Manchester has a phenomenal cultural sector and is an economic powerhouse. It has a value in its own right and this should be valued and appreciated.\u201d<\/p>\n Work on the bronze bust began in 2022, when Padgett first met with the Mayor of Greater Manchester to capture essential photographs and to take measurements at the Mayoral Office. The bust, weighing 18kg, was completed in late summer 2025 when Padgett had the opportunity to showcase the work to Burnham himself. The artist said the Mayor thanked him for the honour.<\/p>\n The bust marks the first work representing a living figure from the Morecambe-based artist, 56. He has previously created art focused on late poets and other notable figures. At last year\u2019s Manchester Art Fair, the artist exhibited seven works inspired by Vincent Van Gogh<\/a> – including a close example of a pipe as used in Van Gogh\u2019s 1888 \u201cChair\u201d painting.<\/p>\n The bronze bust will be officially displayed at this year\u2019s Manchester Art Fair, which runs from November 21 to 23 at Manchester Central<\/a>. The fair will also include works showing from nationally acclaimed Manchester oil painter and artist to the King, Chloe Cox, and Brighton-based textile artist Corinna Wilson. There will also be work from sculptor and painter Jamie Frost, as well as a showcase of a ‘one-of-a-kind’ art car from Porsche and Boodles, created by artist Sophie Tea.<\/p>\n The organiser\u2019s commitment to bringing something new year-on-year is commendable,\u201d long-standing exhibitor Padgett said. \u201cI\u2019m delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to that newness this year and to unveil my sculpture of Andy Burnham<\/a> at the event. I\u2019m looking forward to sharing my story with visitors and showing my wider collection of work.\u201d<\/p>\n The finished work will be gifted to a renowned UK gallery for display in its national collection, with details of the chosen gallery under wraps for now. A second bust will be gifted to the Greater Manchester Mayor, with a third to be retained by Padgett.<\/p>\n Speaking about the work, Sophie Helm, Director of Manchester Art Fair, added: \u201cAnthony\u2019s work is not merely art, it\u2019s a powerful and necessary commentary on the historical imbalance of representation in our national galleries. His vision aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering inclusive and meaningful dialogue and we are proud to continue supporting an artist who consistently uses their creativity to challenge the status quo.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_amr_men_191125_ap.jpg\")
Anthony Padgett’s bronze bust of Andy Burnham(Image: Anthony D Padgett)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_AMR_MEN_131125_AB_03.jpg\")
The bronze bust of Andy Burnham took 40 hours to complete(Image: Anthony Padgett)<\/p>\n