Ian Curtis mural to come to Macclesfield

Cheshire East Council has commissioned the painting of a mural in Macclesfield of arguably the town’s most well-known musician.

Ian Curtis was the iconic frontman of Joy Division whose biggest hit, which still commands airtime more than 40 years after its release, was ‘Love Will Tear us Apart’. Ian was brought up in Macclesfield, won a scholarship to King’s School in the town and is buried in Macclesfield Cemetery. He took his own life in 1980. 

Although the lifetime of Joy Division was extremely short and they produced only two albums, they left an indelible mark on many musicians and still inspire people today. The remaining members of the band went on to form New Order and continue to enjoy great success.

The mural – a fully funded Cheshire East Council project – is being painted by well-known street artist ‘Akse’ and will adorn a building on Mill Street, just across from the bus station. 

Councillor Nick Mannion, chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee, said: “This mural has probably been a long time coming as the cultural significance of Ian Curtis and Joy Division in my home town of Macclesfield is undoubted. 

“I am a huge fan of Joy Division and have a lot of their music on vinyl. I can even see Ian’s old house from my back window. This mural will be a lasting memorial to a man who had such a huge influence on so many and I am absolutely thrilled that it’s happening.”

Manchester street artist ‘Akse’, has been spray-painting similar projects over a varied 30-year career. His recent works include murals of the late British army officer and fundraiser Captain Tom Moore and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford MBE. 

On being commissioned to produce the portrait of Ian Curtis in Macclesfield, Akse was feeling very positive.

He said: “It’s an honour. I know that the cultural significance of his work is so strong in Macclesfield. I’m really excited about getting started on the mural and I hope the people of Macclesfield are as well.”

The commissioning of the mural follows on from Cheshire East Council’s approval of the Macclesfield town centre strategic regeneration framework, which the council is continuing to deliver against.

The framework sets out the council’s vision for the town centre as a place which celebrates its quirkiness and provides the development sector with the confidence and certainty needed to bring forward investment, jobs and economic growth.

Janet Jackson MBE of the Macclesfield Cultural Forum, said: “This is a hugely culturally significant mural to be coming to the town and all of us at the cultural forum are delighted that it will be installed soon.”

Simon Bushell, arts project manager and member of the Cultural Forum added: “Bringing someone of the calibre of Akse in to deliver the project is a real coup, his work is outstanding.”

Painting of the mural will start on Monday 21 March and while it is happening there will be a diversion route in place for pedestrians requiring access to the bus station from Mill Street. The mural will be completed by Friday 25 March.