Amazing Marilyn Monroe artwork made with 26,000 screws goes on display in Sunderland

Sunderland artist Darren Timby has spoken of his relief to have the his Marilyn Monroe portrait safely delivered to the Frederick Street Gallery ahead of it going on display.
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The piece, which is made up of 26,304 screws and weighs over 13 stone, will be on display to members of the public from Wednesday, December 2.

Created as a tribute to his dad Billy, Darren Timby from Roker finished the artwork in October – after working on it for six months.

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On Saturday, November 28, the unique portrait left Darren’s workshop and made it’s way to the Frederick Street Gallery to be part of the Christmas exhibition.

Darren finished the piece in October.Darren finished the piece in October.
Darren finished the piece in October.

Darren has spoken of the his relief now it’s at the gallery and that he is looking toward to seeing everyone’s reaction to it.

The 39-year-old said: “I’ve got mixed emotions about the whole thing but it was a relief to get it there as I’ve been thinking about the logistics of moving it for a while now.

“It took three men to lift it onto the back of the truck but I’m now excited to see it in the gallery setting and for everyone’s reaction to it.

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Darren transported the artwork to the Frederick Street Gallery where it will be on display from December 2.Darren transported the artwork to the Frederick Street Gallery where it will be on display from December 2.
Darren transported the artwork to the Frederick Street Gallery where it will be on display from December 2.
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Sadly, his dad Billy succumbed to heart failure in January but Darren knows he would have been proud of the artwork.

He added: “Knowing my dad, I know he wouldn’t have been that impressed just seeing it in the workshop.

"But if he was able to view it in the gallery, I know it would have meant so much to him and he would have been telling everyone about it.

Darren hopes that his dad Billy was looking down on the piece while he was transporting it.Darren hopes that his dad Billy was looking down on the piece while he was transporting it.
Darren hopes that his dad Billy was looking down on the piece while he was transporting it.
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Darren lives with his partner Sarah, 30, his son, Luke, 14 and daughter Belle, three – he has thanked them all for their support during the creation of the piece.

He commented: "I can’t thank my family enough for the support, Sarah deserves a medal for putting up with me and my son Luke was always there to push me on to finish it.”

After being displayed, the portrait will be sold and although an official valuation has not been given, the piece is expected to be sold for between £5,000 and £10,000.

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