Nearly three years ago, young Goth woman Sophie Lancaster, and her boyfriend Rob Maltby were savagely beaten by a gang of youths, simply because they chose to dress ‘differently’. Sophie died from her injuries.
Following Sophie’s death, her mother, friends and family set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, with one aim: Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance, Everywhere, and have campaigned tireless to change attitudes in society, promoting tolerance, understanding and respect for all subcultures.
And now, Rob, Sophie’s boyfriend and artsist has created his first collection of outstanding paintings, in his own unique style, to celebrate Sophie and all that she believed in and raise crucial awareness and funds for the foundation.
The collection of 15 canvases, named Crimson Iris: The Art of Sophie will be displayed within Afflecks from Monday 7th June. The paintings will be available to buy during the duration of the exhibition.
Afflecks has always attracted a melting pot of cultures, it’s a hub of diversity, where people have always felt comfortable meeting without fear and prejudice, so it felt only natural to offer The Sophie Lancaster Foundation the exhibition space for this collection.
