A mural honouring late Joy Division singer Ian Curtis has been painted over with Aitch’s album artwork.
The mural is situated in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, and features an iconic portrait of the late frontman. Designed to salute his artistry and raise awareness around mental health, the mural is much-loved by fans and forms an integral part of the Northern Quarter.
Sadly, it seems that the mural has been painted over, and replaced by artwork for Aitch’s debut album ‘Close To Home’. Out on August 19th, the cover art has now been daubed across the Ian Curtis mural, as locals pointed out on social media:
just to let everyone in #manchester know something criminal is happening in NQ and the beautiful ian curtis mural is being painted over by an ad for an @OfficialAitch album 😭 😭 😭 noooooo pic.twitter.com/m2QLQi056Y
— vic (@vickc23) August 16, 2022
The post went viral with many complaining about the act. Joy Division bass player Peter Hook voiced his disappointment, commenting: “That is very sad to see… it was such a wonderful mural. I will miss seeing that now on my drives into Manchester.”
The mural was installed two years ago, with Manchester based Clash writer Nathan Evans adding: “It’s almost comical how much of a business > culture move this is. Manchester needs a mural preservation group that can identify and take care of these landmarks, like a Manchester Heritage Site sort of thing…”
For his part, Aitch removed himself from the conversation, saying he doesn’t “choose locations for billboards” and had been unaware of the site plans.
I don't just choose locations for billboards, this is the first time I’ve seen it myself. Getting fixed as we speak https://t.co/590M7Y4RNl
— Aitch (@OfficialAitch) August 16, 2022
Continuing, Aitch wrote that there was “no way on Earth” he would want to “disrespect a local hero like Ian Curtis” before reiterating that he wasn’t aware of plans to paint his artwork on this location.
It’s come to light that the iconic Ian Curtis mural on Port Street has been painted over with my album artwork. This is the first time I’ve heard of this, me and my team are getting this fixed pronto. No way on earth would I want to disrespect a local hero like Ian.
— Aitch (@OfficialAitch) August 16, 2022
MCR ❤️🐝
The space on the wall is now blank, with the artwork having been removed. It’s not known if the Ian Curtis memorial will be replaced.
For an in-depth look at the life and work of Ian Curtis visit the Clash archive.
Aitch will release his new album ‘Come To Home’ on August 19th.
