A stunning mural of Nelson Mandela in Toxteth is "the beginning of Princes Avenue and our journey" according to neighbours.
Artist John Culshaw's mural of the ex South African President on a building in Toxteth, in Liverpool 8 is accompanied by one of Mandela’s quotes.
The piece, commissioned by Mandela8, took John seven days to complete on the side of the Kuumba Imani Millennium Centre (KIMC). John told the ECHO : "About four of them were painting the wall green. The actual artwork took three days and I hate when anyone asks me to write on a piece, I'm not good at that, I'm better at faces."
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John said: "Mandela for me is a legend. I grew up in a boxing household, so we didn't play football, we boxed and sort of the way my dad brought us up was Muhammad Ali, he was the pinnacle of our household. I see them sort of the same figure fighting for the same rights.
"Before I knew who Nelson Mandela was I knew Muhammad Ali and I knew what he fought for and that has always been sort of a link for me, especially for this piece. That's what made it so important for me to try to get it just right and also pick out the right quote and the right image."
"Putting them two together was important for me and for (Mandela8 Ambassador) Nze as well. Me and Nze worked on that together to find the right image to match them both.
"We wanted to show him thinking to tie it in with the word knowledge that is in the quote. To make it all seem like one whole piece".
He added: "Nelson Mandela is a man who has given so much to humanity and in fighting so hard to abolish apartheid, showed the world that the only way forward is equality.
"I hope the people of the community and visitors who see this mural, will take away a sense of the man and an understanding of his wise words."
Sonia Bassey, Chair of Mandela 8 said: "It basically marks the beginning of Princes Avenue and our journey as a community to new beginnings. It's like a symbol of hope and positivity.
"When you look at all the media perceptions of the area, all the things we have been doing including that mural are about the positive aspects of our home. It's a landmark, a way to bring tourists to the area.
"An iconic image of one of the greatest leaders of our time. It’s important that everyone knows the significance of Mandela as a leader."
Mandela8 Ambassador Stephen Nze said: "Mandela8 was looking for an arts commission as we have the Mandelas coming this year. There was a big discussion and we spoke to KIMC and thanks to them for giving us that canvas.
"We came up with what you see, which is far beyond what we imagined. John sent over sketches and we could see what it was going to be, but until you actually see it, well seeing is believing.
"In one word: magnificent. From Mandela8's point of view we are ecstatic about it and thank you to John Culshaw for what he’s done.
“It's a landmark in our community and 'education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world' sums up the present climate we’re in at this particular time. It's that look of Madiba (Mandela’s African name), it's like he is looking and watching over us".
KIMC chief executive officer Michelle Charters said: "KIMC is the legacy of Liverpool Black Sisters work, so it's iconic that this is a living legacy of our work and Mandela is a legacy for us all. I’m very honoured that Mandela8 asked us to host this.
“It's been great to see John work. The response has been amazing, not just the local community, but people have been coming from afar asking and speaking about it.
"Fathers brought their children to watch the work in progress and educate them about who he was. We’ve had South African men and women coming and that’s been quite emotional, as there have been some tears when they have actually seen it”.
John laughed as he concluded: "Boxer, Tyson Fury is my most memorable piece, because of how surreal it was. I was starting a job at the Golden Gloves and I got a phone call and it was Tyson Fury saying I'm opening my gym and I need it done in the next two days.
"I said to Wayne (Golden Gloves manager) it’s Tyson Fury on the phone and I'm going to have to put my tools down and go and see him. He laughed and said ‘I would do the same thing, go on, go and do that’, it was just a crazy thing”.
For information about John Culshaw and images of his work visit instagram: john_culshaw86
