Artist gets a thrill out of Jackson painting

Aug 14 2009 by Lisa Boyle

IT’S a Thriller.

And this Jacko painting by an Ayrshire artist is expected to fetch up to £10,000 at auction.

The striking oil painting by Troon man Graham McKean depicts Michael Jackson at the peak of his career.

And the stunning piece will be auctioned in Glasgow this Saturday.

Graham said: “When a huge public figure like this dies, what they did in life seems to become more magnified and more important.

“It definitely draws your attention and that is what happened to me when I heard the news about Michael Jackson's death.

“I may not be his biggest admirer but I am a music fan and you cannot ignore the fact that Thriller is the best selling album of all time and a monumental part of pop history.

“This is a tribute and celebration of the biggest pop icon in the world.”

The painting, which is an oil on canvas and measures 4ft by 3ft, was produced over a two week period in McKean's studio.

Graham continued: “For this work I wanted to get Michael Jackson at the peak of his career, which was undoubtedly the Thriller period in the early 1980s.

“This was a turning point for the star and as I was painting the characters the picture began to evolve into a metaphor for his life and career, with the demons reflecting the darker side of his life.”

The Michael Jackson painting is the latest in a long list of high profile works by the highly acclaimed artist.

In 2007 McKean was commissioned by Celtic Football Club to produce a work for the 40th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions.

In 2001 his critically acclaimed homage to Wall Street traders, Chasing the Green Backs was purchased for £20,000 by a private collector.

The Scottish Contemporary Art Auction will take place at McTear's Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, Meiklewood Gate, Glasgow on Tuesday, August 18 at 6pm.

For more details log on to www.mctears.co.uk or contact Brian Clements on 0141 810 2880.