Legends unveil new Bill Shankly artwork
LFC legends Alan Kennedy and Roy Evans attended an event in Scotland today to unveil a new piece of artwork produced in honour of Bill Shankly.
Representing Liverpool Football Club, Alan and Roy, attended the unveiling event organised by East Ayrshire Leisure, which took place at Muirkirk Heritage Park near Shankly's birth place of Glenbuck.
The artwork, which was commissioned by East Ayrshire Council and produced by artist John Crosby in conjunction with year 6 and 7 pupils from Muirkirk Primary School, is a vitreous enamel 'flag' mounted on a steel frame, comprising of over 100 steel sheet panels with a seat attached, containing a narrative, in images and text, to celebrate the life and achievements of Bill Shankly.
It is a memorial to the area's famous son; an ambassador for Muirkirk, hero of Liverpool Football Club, national icon and common man on the 101st anniversary of his birth.
The Muirkirk Primary School pupils involved in the project learned about Shankly, and attended a Carlisle match to experience first-hand the feeling of what it means to be part of the larger 'football family.' They also worked with Crosby in collaboration with Sid Barlow on the development of the visual imagery for the art work.
Kennedy said: "It was such an honour to attend the unveiling today in Muirkirk. Bill was such a great man and he really does merit this recognition so close to his birthplace."
Evans added: "The artwork is fantastic, the artists involved and the pupils of Muirkirk Primary School have done a great job in capturing the spirit and passion of Bill Shankly and football."
The artwork is part of 'The Artist Work in Public Places' initiative, which is funded by East Ayrshire Council and managed by East Ayrshire Leisure. It is the fourth of five projects to be created as part of 'The Artist Work in Public Places' initiative.