Selling Bacon would harm our reputation

A LEADING artist has urged Kirklees Council to resist selling a multi-million pound Francis Bacon painting. Ian Berry – known as Denimu – has joined the debate about whether the council should try and solve its cash woes by selling the rare work – estimated to be worth between £20m and £60m. Senior councillors are considering a public debate on the matter and whether they can legally sell the masterpiece that was given to Batley’s Bagshaw Museum in the 1950s. The Contemporary Art Society claims there is a restrictive covenant that prevents it from being sold.

Berry, 32, who hails from Netherton, works exclusively with denim and has a worldwide reputation.

He said it was important to create a positive impression of the north and that Huddersfield would benefit from retaining the picture.

He has published an open letter appealing for Huddersfield to use the famous painting to boost its cultural identity. It says: “I have seen articles in the national and international press referring to ‘cash-strapped council’ and ‘another northern town.’

“Is this how we want to be spoken about? Let me not gloss over this – people outside our area rarely know Huddersfield’s good points and that is a crying shame. “I get the impression many think we all still work in t’mill and almost imagine the area in black and white.

“This sale would be spoken of around the world. Is this the way ‘brand Huddersfield’ or ‘brand Kirklees’ wants to be seen?”

Berry’s letter says the value of retaining and exhibiting the painting could exceed the one-off cash boost of selling it. He added: “Look at what art has done for Wakefield, or Margate with the new Turner Contemporary.

“Then there is the amount of people who tell me they’ve been to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

“These are people who come from far away from the region to visit.

“It’s not just in the UK, I saw firsthand how culture brought a declining Newcastle, Australia, back to life. It’s now a thriving, cool town.

“It’s the same story in so many places. Imagine a new gallery in Huddersfield, with Figure Study II, the Lowrys, the Henry Moore taking centre stage with a contemporary art space showing new work.

“Something fresh would people in.

“These pieces are an envy to many other places and there is a reason why the Bacon could be worth so much.

“The council would certainly not be able to buy it. After selling it, would they have another artist willing to donate their work?”