Tour de Yorkshire Artist Unveiled

A Yorkshire artist who has already helped put her beloved county on the map is back in the spotlight ahead of a world-class event.

Harrogate-based paper cut artist Anita Bowerman, has been unveiled as an official artist to the first Tour de Yorkshire. She earned global recognition last year after creating a metre-high paper cut map showing the Grand Départ for the Tour de France.

The original is on display in her studio The Dove Tree in Harrogate, and features all the landmarks, attractions, countryside, historical details and even the tiny cyclists wearing their jerseys.

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Now Anita, who has been a professional artist for 20 years, has created a special design for May’s inaugural Tour de Yorkshire, featuring 12 cyclists racing around a bike wheel. It has been designed using just a pencil and compass and then hand cut from one piece of paper using just a tiny scalpel.

Anita Bowerman said: “I wanted to take the design further so, together with my brother who is an engineer, developed this cycle wheel in stainless steel, which glints in the sunlight.”

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “It’s great to have Anita on board as an official artist. Her work is wonderfully intricate and unique, and it’s a real thrill to see a piece of Anita’s work capture the essence of the Tour de Yorkshire in art form.”

Anita has also hand-cut maps of Harrogate, Ilkley and York. The thing that distinguishes Anita’s work is the tiny detail. “I love adding quirky touches, the odd rabbit, dog, bird and people generally enjoying themselves, I want my work to tell a story,” she said.

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She added: “I am overjoyed to become an official artist to the Tour de Yorkshire. Last summer, I was inspired to create a new piece by the incredible scenes of the Grand Départ for the Tour de France in Yorkshire, and I’m absolutely delighted to now be involved in the first Tour de Yorkshire. It’s a real honour to be an official artist, and I’m proud to be a part of Yorkshire history.”

Anita’s paper-cuts, as well as her paintings, are available to view at her studio and on her website www.anitabowerman.co.uk

Stainless Steel Wheel is available as a signed limited edition, priced at £350 framed. It is also available to buy as a limited edition giclee print. The unframed 15cm-diameter image costs £30 and framed £49.95. Finally, there is a limited edition of 500 laser cuts, starting at £45.

The Tour de Yorkshire will start on Friday 1st May, in Bridlington and finish in Scarborough. Stage two, on Saturday 2nd May, will start in Selby and finish in York and stage three, on Sunday 3rd May, will start in Wakefield and finish in Leeds.

For more information on the Tour de Yorkshire visit www.letouryorkshire.com