A MURAL artist from Bangor has spoken of his delight after being commissioned to paint a mural of boxing legend Carl Frampton at Glengormley Integrated College, Frampton’s former school.
The mural was unveiled during a recent ceremony at the school.
Ian Lowry, who works full-time as a mural painter and previously created a well-known mural of George Best on Teddy’s Bar in Bangor, said he was honoured to contribute to the school’s celebration.
Ian said: “Recently the school got a new MUGA pitch that can be used for loads of sports. It was donated by the Leonard family, who are sort of patrons to the school, and it’s in association with the Integrated Education Fund.”
“They got this big sports pitch built and there was a big wall that runs along the side and they’d asked me if I could do some artwork. Carl Frampton’s actually a former pupil of that school and he’d be quite involved in the school.
“We did a big portrait of Carl Frampton, and then along the inside of the wall, I did silhouettes of sports people from all the sports that the school offers.”
Among those in attendance at the unveiling was comedian Tim McGarry, known for Give My Head Peace, who attended due to his work with the Integrated Education Fund.
Looking ahead to his next project, Ian revealed he has been commissioned to paint a mural of Holywood-born golfer Rory McIlroy, following McIlroy’s recent Masters victory in Atlanta to complete Golf’s Grand Slam.
“I’m on my way to Portstewart today, I’m about to do a Rory McIlroy one,” he said. “The house that I’m going to, I did a lot of work for this lady last year. She owns a guest house in Portstewart right on the coast, so it’s facing the golf course.
“Last year I did all the North West bikes going up her wall and on the opposite wall today, we’re going to be starting the Rory McIlroy one because obviously the golf’s coming up in June or July.”
Ian added: “I’m pretty excited to get this one started!”
To see more of Ian’s artwork, you can visit his page on Facebook at Ian Lowry Art.
