Local artist commissioned for Lib Dem anniversary painting

12.00.00am GMT Thu 14th Jan 2010

Rochdale Liberal Democrats have commissioned a local artist to create a painting celebrating 175 years of the Liberal movement in the town.

Walter Kershaw, a mural artist from Littleborough, has already made a start on the project and hopes to finish it by the end of the year. The painting will include key political figures who have served the party, including Richard Cobden, John Bright and Sir Cyril Smith.

The party celebrated their 175th anniversary last year with a dinner at Rochdale Town Hall which was attended by Lord McNally, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords.

Mr.Kershaw unveiled the start of his project to the Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg during his visit to Rochdale in December.

Speaking about the painting, Mr.Clegg said: "Walter has made a great start to this painting, and it already looks absolutely wonderful. I'm sure he'll do a great job in illustrating how important key figures such as Sir Cyril Smith were in the evolvement of the Liberal movement in Rochdale."

Mr.Kershaw specialises in large oil and watercolour mural paintings and is best known for his Trafford Park murals in Manchester during the 1980's and 1990's.

His works have been recognised in public collections all over the world including the Victoria and Albert museum in London, the Arts Council and the National Collection of Brazilian Art in Sao Paulo.

Mr.Kershaw said: "I was honoured and privileged when the Rochdale Liberal Democrats approached me to do a painting on what was such a special year for the Liberal movement in the town. I'll make sure that I use my experience to illustrate the key developments of the movement and the significant milestones the party has achieved over the years."

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: "To get somebody of Walter's experience to highlight our party's 175th year is brilliant. He's a local artist who is recognised nationally and the work he's done previously has been of an excellent standard. I look forward to viewing the painting once it has been completed."