Artist championed by William Hague set to be at centre of bidding frenzy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.William Hague may have championed lost causes when he was leader of the Conservative Party. But for Mackenzie Thorpe, the quirky northern artist who combines the humorous caricatures of Beryl Cook with the industrial landscapes of L S Lowry, Mr Hague's endorsement was a passport to fame. He chose the artist to illustrate his official Christmas card, thrusting him into the national spotlight.
Frenzied activity is anticipated at the opening today of an exhibition featuring Thorpe's work. Last time it was shown he sold £1m worth of paintings within 20 minutes of the exhibition opening.
The Middlesbrough-born artist has compiled an exhibition of more than 50 paintings that explore the importance of football, particularly in the working-class communities of northern England.
One of Thorpe's non-artistic claims to fame is that he scored against the North Korean World Cup side in 1966 during a kick-about with local lads in Middlesbrough, where the team was based. He said: "Whatever your background, the magic of football goes far beyond the pitch. I invite you to remember the moments when the game has had a lasting effect on your life, of how it has brought friends together, united whole communities, even countries.''
The exhibition, The Game of Life, is being staged by the Halcyon Gallery in Mayfair, London, and will run from today until 14 June. An auction of the paintings will take place on 15 June, in support of The Gentlemen's Night Out charity, with some of the money going to support the organisation's work with the Special Olympics.
Thorpe, who is the son of a labourer and an auxiliary nurse, is dyslexic but found confidence as a child in drawing and painting. He left school at 15 without any qualifications but after a series of unskilled jobs he gained a place at Middlesbrough College of Art.
Thorpe's works have acquired cult status and Bill Wyman and Anthea Turner are among the collectors of his paintings. The artist set up a studio in Richmond in North Yorkshire but in 2001 left Britain for America, where his style has become increasingly popular.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments