Location: Knott End-on-Sea, Lancashire
Artist: Inspired by LS Lowry

A stunning LS Lowry tribute statue manufactured by WEC Group apprentices and overseen by architectural metalwork division m-tec, celebrates Lowry’s famously pained matchstick man and his dog which are included in several of his works.

Located at Knott End-on-Sea on the Lancashire coast, the project was funded by Preesall Town Council and Wyre Borough Council. The statue has been designed in stainless steel and stands at more than 5ft tall on the ferry slip site.

The original artwork was scanned and then the side panels on the right and left hand side of the statue were laser cut. We them formed and welded a 120mm stainless steel band around the inside, giving the impression of the Lowry to be a solid block.

Apprentices then TIG welded two extra layers such as the coat, arms and hat which gave the statue a more obvious shape. All welds were then dressed and polished leaving a two tone mirror and satin finish.

The Mayor of Preesall said: “The design is fantastic and it is great that the project has been carried out by apprentices. The idea is to get more people into the village and give them something to look at.

“This is a celebration of Lowry’s links with Knott End, which he visited and painted. We’ll be creating a plaque alongside the statue which will tell the story.”

LS Lowry is known to have often stayed in the boarding houses on the front in Knott End and used the ferry slip in several of his paintings, famously known as “The Ferry Slip and Knott End and “The Lunevale.”

He developed a distinctive style of painting and is best known for his urban landscapes people with human figures often referred to as matchstick men.