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The project, organised by GRIT Studios, will see a large-scale artwork painted in Failsworth, the North Manchester suburb where Mounfield grew up. It will also raise money for the Maggie’s Centre in Manchester, a cancer support charity close to the musician and his wife Imelda during her treatment.
The initiative follows a tribute at Manchester Cathedral in November, where Mounfield's old bandmate Ian Brown delivered an emotional eulogy. In his address, Brown suggested a 50-foot gold statue should be erected in Mounfield’s honour. While that may not yet be happening, the mural will provide a focal point for fans wishing to commemorate the bassist.
The design for the artwork has been selected by Mani’s brother, Greg Mounfield, who has also secured the wall space and will be painted by the artist Pic.One.Art, whose recent mural of Noel and Noel Gallagher outside Sifters Records in Burnage became a local landmark.
For John Macaulay, co-founder of GRIT Studios, the campaign carries personal resonance; he spent time with Mounfield before the Stone Roses 2011 reunion. “Mani was one of the warmest, funniest and most generous people I’ve ever known,” Macaulay says. “The work we did together in China over a decade ago genuinely changed the course of my life, and without Mani, GRIT Studios probably wouldn’t exist. We loved Ian Brown’s beautiful words about Mani in Manchester Cathedral and his suggestion of a 50-foot gold statue! You never know – it might happen in the future, but for now we’ll focus on a mural – it feels like the least we can do.”
Macaulay notes that the outpouring of grief following his death demonstrated how deeply he was loved: "This mural will be a way for fans to come together, pay tribute and create something very special for the community, as well as raising funds for Maggie’s which was so important to Mani and Imelda.
The project will be funded through public donations, with any surplus going to the Maggie’s Centre.
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