Sir Tim Rice unveils works by latest MCC Young Artist - Andy Pankhurst

Date released: 23 July 2003

The President of MCC, Sir Tim Rice, has opened an exhibition of paintings by the most recent MCC Young Artist, Andy Pankhurst. Displayed in the Writing Room, in the Pavilion at Lord's, the paintings depict scenes from the Fourth and Fifth Tests on England's 2002-03 tour of Australia.

MCC Members will be able to enjoy the display for the rest of the season - with thousands likely to see the exhibition during the forthcoming npower Test Match (between England and South Africa) at Lord's, starting on Thursday 31st July. In addition, the paintings will be seen by members of the public who take part in the popular daily Tours of Lord's.

Sir Tim opened the exhibition yesterday evening (Tuesday 22nd July), during a party which also celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the MCC Museum.

In common with the works of the previous MCC Young Artists - Nick Botting, Jo Bowen and Nancy Bixby - some of Andy's paintings will be added to the MCC Collection and displayed around Lord's in the years ahead. Others are being made available for sale.

The Young Artist scheme demonstrates MCC's determination to promote new talent, both on and off the pitch. Its other initiatives include the MCC Young Cricketers programme and the MCC Young Cricket Photographer scholarship.

Commenting on his experiences as the most recent MCC Young Artist, Andy Pankhurst said:

"I was delighted to have the chance to paint some truly memorable cricketing moments - such as Michael Vaughan's hundred in Melbourne, Steve Waugh's century at Sydney, and England's victory in the final Test of the series.

I am grateful to MCC for giving me the opportunity and the encouragement to do so. I am indebted, too, to the many people in Australia - Australian and British - who showed me so much kindness and gave me such a large amount of support. I am thrilled that my paintings are now being displayed at Lord's - 'the home of cricket' - alongside many of the game's greatest treasures".

MCC's Secretary & Chief Executive, Roger Knight, added: "MCC is committed to identifying and nurturing new talent - off as well as on the pitch. We were delighted to appoint Andy as our Young Artist in Australia, and we look forward to announcing another similar appointment in advance of England's visit to the West Indies early next year."

A student at the Bournemouth & Poole College of Art in the mid-1980s, Andy proceeded to graduate from the Slade School of Fine Art (University College, London) in 1990. In the same year, he won the Winsor and Newton Young Artists' Award, and was subsequently awarded a Richard Ford scholarship (by the Royal Academy) and a Boise travel scholarship.

A former lecturer at the University of Westminster, Andy teaches at the Slade School of Fine Art and the Prince's Foundation Drawing Studio. He received his first commission from MCC in 1999/2000, when he painted Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart, to celebrate their achievements in winning 100 Test caps.

Both paintings can be seen in the Museum at Lord's.