My guitar revealed!

‘JIMI’ (PHOTOS COMING SOON)

An art arrangement for a musical city

I have just had the great opportunity of designing and painting a guitar for Music for the Senses - an art trail like none other - which will take over the streets of Manchester this summer!

Music for the Senses is a city-wide art trail running from 7 July to 31 August 2025 in Manchester, celebrating the city's legendary music scene. The event is produced by Wild in Art, known for creating public art trails that connect communities and support local causes. In partnership with Manchester City Council and the charity Forever Manchester, the trail features 48 artist-designed guitar sculptures, murals, and immersive installations like Guitar Street and Cathedral of Sound. Musicians, including Busted, Doves, Elbow, Mani, New Order, Oasis, PINS, and Pixies, have also donated precious instruments which will be displayed in windows and venues across the city.

Charity auction

The initiative not only showcases Manchester’s creative spirit but also raises funds for grassroots music projects through an auction of the decorated guitars, with proceeds going to Forever Manchester to support community music initiatives across Greater Manchester. The auction will take place at the end of the trail, on Friday 12 September at Hallé St Peter’s, Manchester (interest for this can be registered by visiting the ‘Auction’ page on the Music for the Senses website).

My design: ‘Jimi’

I chose Jimi Hendrix as the subject for my guitar as he is an absolute legend and because he played in Manchester in the sixties. He performed in in 1967 at New Century Hall, NOMA, right next to the site where my guitar will be on display, and he also performed at the University of Manchester’s Students’ Union and is said to have visited the iconic Twisted Wheel Club after his NCH gig. To showcase Jimi’s history in Manchester, my design features his iconography, gig tickets snippets, and old newspaper images and headlines from his Manchester shows.

Jimi was a groundbreaking, visionary creative force who has had a lasting impact on countless artists across the generations, and his influence can still be heard in much of today’s music. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music; and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. He has also had a big impact on Manchester’s music scene, even decades after his time. His wild guitar style and love for experimenting with sound is said to have inspired local legends, and his psychedelic vibes helped shape the Madchester scene, where bands mixed rock with dance and rave culture.

Jimi had a rich and diverse heritage that reflected a blend of cultural backgrounds, and he expressed pride in this and sought to bring people of all races together through his musical performances and his blurring of cultural styles. He was also a passionate visual artist and actively participated in the design of his album covers. He said that he saw sounds in colours and described music as a visual landscape and this really connects with me when I am making art. Jimi’s music has been part of my family’s soundtrack for a very long time so it was a very easy choice to make him the focus of my Music for the Senses guitar.

Backdrop design

As part of this project my sponsors, NOMA, commissioned me to design a large ‘legend inspired’ guitar backdrop, and both will be on display throughout the trail at NOMA, Manchester.

Sponsor: NOMA / Guitar donated by: Dan Heron / Location: NOMA (venue 32 on the trail map)

For more updates on my guitar and the trail itself please give me a follow on my Instagram page.

Links

musicforthesenses.co.uk / noma-manchester.com / wildinart.co.uk / forevermanchester.com / manchester.gov.uk