Stanley Chow, the illustrator behind the instantly recognizable caricature of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, has revealed how the politician quickly adopted the drawing as his own. "Within 10 minutes, Andy had nicked it," Chow said with a laugh, recounting how Burnham commandeered the image shortly after it was created.
The bold, minimalist portrait — featuring Burnham's distinctive glasses and confident smirk — has become the mayor's go-to visual, appearing on his social media profiles, campaign materials, and official communications. Chow, known for his striking illustrations of celebrities and public figures, said the original commission was for a magazine piece, but Burnham's team wasted no time in repurposing it.
"I was told he loved it immediately," Chow explained. "Next thing I knew, it was everywhere." The illustrator admits he's flattered by the image's ubiquity, even if it means he occasionally sees it in places where he didn't authorize its use. "It's a bit weird seeing your work on a bus stop, but it's also kind of cool."
Burnham's office confirmed the mayor is a fan of Chow's work, calling the illustration "a perfect capture of Andy's personality." The image has become so synonymous with the politician that it's often used by journalists and broadcasters to represent him.
Chow, who has created portraits of everyone from Barack Obama to the Beatles, says the Burnham sketch remains one of his most recognizable pieces. "It's just one of those things that took on a life of its own," he said. "But I'm happy it worked out. Andy's a good guy."
The illustration continues to feature prominently in Burnham's public appearances, cementing its place in modern political iconography.