Idea Generation

Local community smash Rolf Harris’ previous record

Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, Wrexham, Wednesday 28th October 2009

The world’s largest ever reproduction of the Mona Lisa was unveiled today at the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre in Wrexham.

The entire community came together to create their own version of the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting. The world’s largest known reproduction painting of the Mona Lisa, which was unveiled at 9am this morning, covers a massive 240 square metres beating Rolf Harris’ 45 square metre canvas attempt of 2005. The extraordinary spectacle unveiled this morning at the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, Wrexham covers the same space as 24 double-decker buses!

Hundreds of people were involved, including school children from Victoria Primary School in Wrexham and members of the Haulfan Centre, which offers a wide range of activities for adults with learning difficultiesdisabilities. They gave hours of their time to help local artist Katy Webster complete the mammoth task. The work will take pride of place at Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, Wrexham for two years. Shoppers will not only have the chance to scrutinise every detail of Mona Lisa’s famous expression up close, but will also be able to touch the giant piece, made up of 82 different vinyl squares.

Previous record holder, Rolf Harris has yet to comment on being beaten to the record by Wrexham’s finest and if he will attempt to beat this effort.

Artist Katy Webster, who was in charge of the project, is more known for her abstract art, was delighted to see that the famous smile is intact earlier this morning. “It’s mind-blowing just how big she is but the smile is still as enigmatic as ever. It took over a week to do her face – that was the hardest part because everybody knows what it looks like so we had to make sure it was exactly right. It is really great that this project by Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre has brought art to the community with so many members of the local community involved in creating this amazing piece of art we see before us today. It is really important for me that art is accessible and adorns public spaces, like this wonderful centre, instead of locked away in galleries! This has been the best bit today – putting her together so we can see the Mona Lisa in all her glory. The balcony overlooking our Mona Lisa will allow people to bask in the spectacular view of one of the World’s most recognisable faces!”

The painting will provide a much-needed source of income for Hope House, a charity that provides for terminally ill children through specialist care, family support and fundraising events. Those donating to the charity will able to own their own small piece of record-breaking history. This is a great cause; with the money raised going straight back into the local community to improve the lives of both patients and their families at Hope House, which Holly Willoughby is patron of.

The construction of concept to the finished article has taken months to come together, with over 245 people involved from start to finish. 2013 man hours were used to produce the stunning work unveiled today with close to 1000 of those painting alone. Painting the World’s largest Mona Lisa has used 86 litres of paint to create that show-stopping smile with 86 tiles used to create Da Vinci’s masterpiece. If anyone fancies taking on the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, Wrexham’s record, they should buy a lot of brown paint, the majority of the 53 colours of paint used were all shades of brown.

Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley came up with the idea to involve community groups in an exciting art project. “Our Mona Lisa has a lot of advantages over the original. It’s a lot bigger so she is much easier to see, admirers will not have to queue to make her acquaintance, there isn’t any entry charge to Eagles Meadow, and unlike the version in Paris you will be able to touch her!”

Fine art graduate Jude Davies has seen the project as a labour of love and after 200 hours of work on the project, was barely able to contain her excitement. “People see different things – the more you look, the more you see. I didn’t realise that she hasn’t got any eyebrows. On her face everything is blended in. Her smile changes depending on how and when you look at it. Her eyes seem to follow you wherever you’re standing.”

Eagles Meadow
Eagles Meadow opened in late 2008 as a leisure and shopping destination. It houses a 24-lane ten-pin bowling alley and a cinema with a 3D screen along with a wide range of shops, including fashion, food and drink outlets.

Address:
Eagles Meadow
Wrexham
LL13 8DG
Tel: 01978265033

Opening hours:
9am – 8pm

Contacts
For further information / Use of pictures / Interviews
Idea Generation: +44(0)20 7749 6854
Andrew Soar: andrew@ideageneration.co.uk
Megan Thomas: megan@ideageneration.co.uk
Eagles Meadow website
Katy Webster website