Stanley Chow: the Manchester illustrator who might have given Jeremy Corbyn a boost Stanley Chow’s instantly recognisable artwork has gained international acclaim, seeing him collaborate with pop stars, win numerous awards and adorn […]

Stanley Chow’s instantly recognisable artwork has gained international acclaim, seeing him collaborate with pop stars, win numerous awards and adorn walls the world over.

His iconic portraits range from TV characters and film stars to sporting legends and musicians.

Chow spoke to i about his artistic journey, from humble beginnings growing up in a chip shop and sketching in bars, to seeing his portraits in publications such as The New Yorker.

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Starting with ‘chip paper and a biro’

Chow’s artistic ambitions started young.

“I pretty much knew from when I was about five years old that I was going to be an artist of one kind or another,” he says.

Chow’s parents owned a chip shop, and the budding artist found himself drawing to keep busy while his parents worked.

“All I had was chip paper and a biro – my parents couldn’t really afford toys.”

In the late 1990s, Chow began to DJ in Manchester venues like Dry Bar, Night & Day, Big Hands, Fab Café and The Roadhouse.

“It was basically my way out from working in the chip shop,” he remembers.

A post shared by Stanley Chow (@stan_chow) on Dec 26, 2016 at 4:42am PST

There was also a financial incentive to DJ-ing, Chow admits.

“I wasn’t making any money illustrating early on. But, then again, I wasn’t really trying to make a career out of illustrating, as I was having so much fun.”

Chow found himself sketching bar staff and regulars in Night & Day “to try and impress them.”

Many regulars were of a creative nature, he recalls, whether writers, actors, designers, musicians or poets.

In fact, several of those regulars are still friends, including Elbow’s Guy Garvey, who Chow collaborated with at the Meltdown Festival at the Royal Festival Hall last year, as well as designing merchandise for his solo projects.

“You visit other great cities around the world, and get the feeling that Manchester can sit amongst those cities without feeling inferior.”

‘Inspiration comes when inspiration feels like it’

Chow’s inspiration comes from everywhere, he says.

“Books, news, TV, film, music, listening to the radio, seeing other artists’ work or daily life, hanging out with my kids.

“You don’t necessarily choose what inspires you. Inspiration comes when inspiration feels like it. It’s not something I search for, really.”

Chow grew up in nearby Altrincham and Marple, and moved into the city when he turned 20. Has his home city had an impact on his work, though?

“I love Manchester, I quite frankly can’t imagine myself being anywhere else, but it’s hard to say whether Manchester has influenced my art or not,” he admits.

The artist is proud of Manchester’s architecture and cosmopolitan nature, however.

“You visit other great cities around the world, and get the feeling that Manchester can sit amongst those cities without feeling inferior.”

A post shared by Stanley Chow (@stan_chow) on Nov 22, 2016 at 5:27pm PST

“Admittedly I’m more drawn to Manchester United players than I am specifically Manchester icons,” he says of his portraits.

“Ultimately, I like illustrating all icons, regardless of where they are from. I believe you are influenced by your surroundings, but how exactly, I haven’t quite figured out.”

Cultural icons

One of Chow’s personal favourite pieces is his Don Draper portrait for GQ.

“It’s always a buzz when you’re commissioned to illustrate something that you already have an interest in,” he says.

“I loved watching Mad Men, so I was pleased as punch when asked to do this. It’s the only piece of my own work I have hanging in my house.”

Chow was also delighted to be asked to design the Chinese New Year posters for the city of Manchester last year.

“Being from Manchester and of Chinese origin, I couldn’t have been more proud to be involved,” he says.

“I wish more than anything else that my parents were still around to see this, as it would have meant a lot to them.”

Other Chow illustrations which captured the public’s imagination include his portrait of The Beatles, which proved a social media hit, and his bestselling piece, The Green Lady – a homage to Tretchikoff.

“It was great to see Corbyn do so much better than anyone expected. I secretly like to think I may have a hand in that.”

Capturing the political zeitgeist

Chow’s political images have also proved popular, and his Donald Trump balloon illustration for the cover of New York Times in 2015 won several awards in the US.

“It boosted my reputation no end,” he says.

Closer to home, Chow was overwhelmed by the response to his Jeremy Corbyn portrait, which he completed a few weeks before the general election.

“I posted it online, and my social media and emails went crazy,” he says.

“I decided to print a thousand of them to give away, and I couldn’t get rid of them quick enough.

“It seemed like every man and his dog in Manchester (and across the UK, too) wanted one.”

“It was great to see Corbyn do so much better than anyone expected. I secretly like to think I may have a hand in that.”