FOCUS GROUP

PHOTO PROJECT PUTS GREATER MANCUNIANS' IN FRONT OF THE LENS

- NEAL KEELING

ANGELA Rayner and Noel Gallagher are among a host of 'Greater Mancunians' featured among 116 photographic portraits in an exhibition which will open at Manchester's Central Library next month.

The project has been seven years in the making.

It was born when a Manchester College student set up a rushed photo-shoot under Blackfriars Bridge. The master of gritty verse, John Cooper Clarke, generously posed for student Harry Yeates.

The location was perfect just inside Salford, and next to the performer's life-sized stencil embossed on a wall by artist Stewy.

Harry's portrait won praise at Manchester College's end of year show in 2016 and sowed the seeds for a quest to find other subjects to help hone students' talents.

Over the next two years a list of 'Greater Mancunians' grew and included Johnny Marr, Andy Burnham and famed Factory Records graphic designer Peter Saville.

Harry Potts, photography tutor at The Manchester College and project lead, encouraged other students to think of others from Greater Manchester or who have made it their home and, in some way, have shaped the region culturally.

They chose to include entertainers, community champions, hospital staff, politicians, and sports stars.

The final will be displayed at the library from April 19 until June 30.

Harry Potts said: "A perfect example of someone who suddenly came to our attention is Javeno McLean who runs a gym in Blackley and gives his time to helping people recover from physical trauma. He is a larger than life character.