Pete McKee: Legendary Yorkshire artist to unveil new Christmas painting in December
One of Sheffield's most prominent artists is bringing his own take on Christmas to the city’s Cathedral.
Pete McKee’s new artwork for Sheffield Cathedral is inspired by a transformative school singing project in the city.
Work on the Sheffield artist’s contemporary Nativity-inspired painting is underway, and it will be unveiled in December as part of the Cathedral’s ‘most ambitious’ festive programme ever.
His piece is based on work that gives 1,000 Sheffield children the chance to learn music in school and sing at the iconic building.
The 6ft by 4ft painting in his distinctive style features nods to the diversity of Sheffield life and the joyful chaos of modern school nativity performances.
“This commission is incredibly exciting for us”, said Dean of Sheffield, The Very Revd Abi Thompson. “It represents our work with schools, our new choristers, and where our heart lies in partnering with our most economically deprived communities.”
The painting project has taken a year to develop.
During the process, children at Prince Edward Primary School, Manor, took part in a summer photoshoot to guide to Mr McKee’s work. The school was the first to participate in the Cathedral’s Schools Singing Programme, which provides expert music tuition to 1,000 students at ten schools.
Mr McKee said: “The important thing with the painting was to reflect how we are today as a nation, and how multicultural we are.
“I wanted to reflect that and make it a very honest piece of work.”
He also revealed there were fun features hidden in the artwork, that people would often relate to from memorable school nativities.
Without giving away any surprises, he added: “As a child, it’s your first acting experience, and as a parent, it’s the first time you see your kid in the limelight. With that comes a lot of pressure!”
The Schools Singing Programme is the newest of only four in the UK.
Director Tom Daggett said: “It is transformative because it gives children the confidence to stand tall, be themselves, learn life skills and perform at major Cathedral events.
“Through music, we show them that they have a place in the community and they can see themselves as leaders.”
Mr McKee’s hand-painted artwork, called The Nativity, is the centrepiece of a bumper Christmas calendar at Sheffield Cathedral.
The building’s stunning exterior will be illuminated with an amazing light show created by the innovative ‘Double Take Projections’ as part of the new city centre event, Light Up Sheffield.
The show will draw on images from the Cathedral’s historic stained glass windows, with a hint of the beautiful Pete McKee painting inside.
It will be complemented by the twinkling lights of the Cathedral’s annual Christmas Tree Festival, and everything is free to visit from December 5-14.
Music by Sheffield Cathedral Choir will feature as the backing track for the illuminations.
A glow-in-the-dark family trail is taking place inside the Cathedral during Light Up Sheffield.
A Cathedral Choir Christmas concert on December 13, starring new choristers drawn from the school singing programme, is also part of the festive calendar.