Stanley Chow's illustration of Andy Burnham has become a ubiquitous symbol of the mayor's anti-establishment stance, appearing on billboards, beer mats, mugs, aprons, and record inlays. The image, featuring a light scowl and dark attire, was created shortly after Burnham's rousing speech outside Manchester Central Library in October 2020.
The Inspiration Behind the Drawing
Chow, a 51-year-old designer who grew up in Altrincham and Stockport, says his wife prompted him to draw Burnham during the pandemic. 'It was the pandemic and we were all so down in the dumps at that point,' he recalls. 'But I remember looking around and he had just moved everyone.' Chow used Adobe Illustrator to create the image and posted it on Twitter. 'Within 10 mins, Andy had nicked it,' he says.
Chow's Artistic Style
Chow describes his style as 'hard to pin down,' sitting between caricature and portraiture. He reduces faces to an assembly of shapes while keeping them 'recognisably themselves.' His illustrations have appeared in the New Yorker and Time magazine, and he is currently working on an exhibition for Manchester's Arndale shopping centre.
From Twitter to Campaign Merchandise
Burnham initially used the image for his Twitter handle, but it quickly spread to physical merchandise, becoming a visual proxy for his mayoral campaigns and the Makerfield byelection. 'There is no tie, no,' says Chow. Burnham later said he was 'grateful to Stan for making me look cooler than I am.'
Legal Action Against Reform UK
Chow took legal action after Reform UK figures, including Nigel Farage and candidate Robert Kenyon, used the image without permission, doctoring it to advance anti-immigration sentiment. 'Memes are one thing, but something [nefarious] like that? That's something else,' Chow says. The images were removed after legal action. Chow notes that Burnham's team has since licensed the image from him.
Looking Ahead
As Burnham moves beyond Makerfield, Chow reflects on the journey. 'I'm not sure I want the attention – I mean in some ways this has been my journey too,' he says. 'But yes, I'd probably still send him a message.'
