The people of Newcastle have spoken – and revealed the Geordie they are most proud of is none other than Sir Bobby Robson.
A piece of art has been created in tribute to Robson, who beat off stiff competition from Thomas Addison and Jackie Milburn.
The poll was put to the public by Cartridge Save as part of its ‘A Day In The Life’ initiative which saw an army of photographers take to the city’s streets in March.
The social experiment saw 126 amateur and professional photographers capturing 24 hours in the city – featuring everything from shoppers and tourists to rough sleepers and party goers.
The images then formed the collage of Sir Bobby Robson due to go on display later this year.
Sir Bobby died in 2009 after a long running career in football including a stint as Newcastle Manager. Despite a rocky time at the Magpies, Robson is still held in high esteem by Geordies – and was awarded ‘Freedom of the City’ in 2005.
Artist Nathan Wyburn asked the public to vote for who he should commemorate in a piece of artwork from a shortlist of 10 all-time famous faces:
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Sir Bobby Robson – former NUFC and England manager
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Thomas Addison – physician and leading figure at Guy’s Hospital, London
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‘Wor’ Jackie Milburn – NUFC striker and second highest scorer in club history
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Gertrude Bell – explorer and government official, credited with establishing Iraq
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Anne Elliot – novelist
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Cardinal Basil Hume – former archbishop of Westminster
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Connie Lewcock – suffragette
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Julia Darling – novelist
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Ruth Dodds – author and playwright
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Sister Winifred Laver – local missionary worker
Once the votes were in, Wyburn – who reached the semi final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2011 and recently featured in Teen Vogue – set to work creating one of his famous collage artworks.
The masterpiece provides a living testimony to the day as it uses every single image that was taken to create a unique mosaic of the footballing legend – and former England manager – Sir Bobby Robson CBE.
The 28-year-old artist, has recently created snow portraits of Game of Thrones Jon Snow and Frozen’s Elsa, as well as previously creating attention-grabbing artworks of Stephen Fry out of coffee, Adele from ketchup, Rowan Atkinson from beans, Bob Marley from reggae sauce and Ed Miliband from toast.
Nathan said: “I love creating something more fun than a standard portrait and the idea of turning a Geordie legend in the eyes of the public into a piece of artwork using so many diverse images of life in the city is brilliant.
“A Day In The Life is an amazing concept that captures everyday life and people and I’ve greatly enjoyed looking at all the images that were created. They will last forever in their own right and also as part of my unique collage.
“I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing from the people of Newcastle once the art goes on display in Sir Bobby’s home town later this year.”
Ian Cowley, managing director of cartridgesave.co.uk who organised the A Day In The Life project, says: “Mark and the 126 strong team of street photographers captured those unique moments on Saturday 23rd March which are now forever frozen in time providing a unique legacy to the city.
“To see the images printed off and made into a collage by Nathan is a lasting, tangible memento of Newcastle in 2019. It’s a creative project that we’re incredibly proud to support.”
The images from A Day In The Life Newcastle can be viewed at https://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/printwhatmatters/adayinthelifenewcastle/