From Jamaica to Port Talbot:
The story of a mural for a great man and his daughter.
Arriving from Kingstown, Jamaica, at the age of 21, Jimmy made a home for himself in the industrial seaside town of Port Talbot in Wales, where he set up his own bar - Jimmy's
By simply being, in the fitting words of Jimmy's granddaughter, Gabrielle, 'a complete gentleman and all-round amazing person', Jimmy rose to become one of Port Talbot's best known men and a true legend of the town.
For his birthday, Jimmy's family asked local graffiti artist, Steve Jenkins - who's great work you can check out online- to paint a mural of Jimmy on the side of his bar.
Once completed, I asked Steve about his thoughts on the mural:
“I loved creating that image. It was nice and big, which always helps with the process when using spray cans. It was also a monochrome image that I was working from which, also helps the artist. I was chuffed to be asked to be involved with this surprise for his birthday and the fact that the wall was so public and that many people will benefit from seeing Jimmy's smile.”
Tragically, not long after the mural was created Jimmy's daughter, Michelle, sadly passed away. In a display of sincere affection and sympathy, Steve transformed the mural to include Michelle alongside Jimmy.
"On the 14th March I painted Jimmy on the side of his club in Port Talbot on his daughters request for his birthday. Today I've returned to paint a memorial picture of his daughter who has passed away in the last two weeks. Never did we think that we would be making this a memorial mural when we surprised Jimmy just two months ago.
My deepest sympathies to the family and close friends of Michelle Louise McCook. May she be remembered fondly when seen smiling behind Jimmy in this piece.”
- Steve Jenkins.
'I first began to write a historical piece for this month's feature until I saw Jimmy's mural pop up online- I instantly decided to pay homage not only to his artwork but to one of Port Talbot's mostly highly thought of men. However, as I wrote it, I learnt of the tragic passing of Jimmy's, daughter, Michelle, and of how the mural was to be transformed to include her in it.
Much like the mural, so too has this section transformed to feature not only a great man but pay tribute to a much-loved woman. All of us at Art Etcetera send our deepest condolences to the family during this hard time- this section is dedicated to them. - The Editor.
Your Artwork, Your Voice.
By Gabrielle Fisher, granddaughter of Jimmy and daughter of Michelle
'Myself and my family are absolutely overwhelmed with how the portrait of my grandfather has turned out. The artist has done a truly amazing job.
Jimmy is a prominent and well-known figure in Port Talbot and we are blessed and grateful to have him in our family and as our role model and we are so excited that we get to see his face shining down over Port Talbot for years to come.
Sadly, within weeks of the portrait being finished Michelle passed away suddenly and so the family thought it would be a fitting tribute to include Michelle in the portrait with her father with whom she has worked with side by side in Jimmy's Bar for the past 20 years. Michelle was an incredibly fun and loving person who will be sorely missed by her family and by the customers and staff at Jimmy's Bar.'
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