Surrey artist commissioned for D-Day memorial

Image source, British Normandy Memorial

Image caption, A new education centre is being built at the Normandy Memorial
  • Author, Iris Cleak
  • Role, 91热爆 News, South East

A Surrey artist has been commissioned to create a painting for the D-Day British Normandy Memorial in France.

To mark the 80th anniversary, a new education centre will be built on the existing Normandy site.

Opening on 6 June, Jan Erika's painting will be on display in the main gallery in The Winston Churchill Centre for Education and Learning.

Ms Erika said: "I'm just enjoying every single brushstroke at the minute."

Image source, Jan Erika

Image caption, Ms Erika has described the commission as an "honour"

The large scale painting will feature many details including Winston Churchill and "an enormous Union Jack" floating above the White Cliffs of Dover.

The Ripley-based artist said the commission was her "greatest professional achievement".

Despite never going to art college, Ms Erika has always been interested in art but did not start sketching until 2018.

"I'm probably around two thirds through now - it's really taking shape," Ms Erika said of the artwork.

She added: 鈥淚ts going to be seen by millions of people forever so it鈥檚 a massive tribute and honour to paint."

The Winston Churchill Centre will house two educational exhibition galleries telling stories of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, curated by The Royal British Legion.

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