“The Consequence” is an original oil on canvas framed 1295 x 845mm created by Ian Mackenzie.
This artwork is framed in a traditional 2.5 inch black wooden surround with a light coloured insert. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity which is signed and verified by the artist.
The Story Behind “The Consequence”
On 14th Feb 1988, Jeffrey Gafoor brutally murdered Lynette White in Cardiff Bay.
There ensued one of the UKs most epic series of court trials, miscarriages of justice and police corruption investigations to date.
As a consequence of one man’s actions, sixteen lives changed forever.
Sixteen people stood trial in various courts of law, having to account for what they did or did not do. The trial of eight police officers, three prosecution witnesses sent to prison, and the Cardiff Five accused of murder and incarcerated, ripped through organisations and communities alike.
Their lives changed forever. Each becoming a victim in their own way, a consequence of the murderer Jeffrey Gafoor’s actions.
Each person with their own story to tell.
This painting shows a pair of hands in handcuffs, carrying the names of the sixteen together with that of Lynette White’s, which is fading away as it did in real terms when the ensuing aftermath of the other cases became the focal point in this epic series of UK history.
For the 12 months before presenting this artwork to the world, I woke every single morning with a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach.
What was I doing? Who would this upset? Could this cause more problems than it was worth? These were some of the questions I anxiously repeated to myself.
But, from the moment I thought of this concept, I knew in my heart that this was the right thing to do and capture this story on canvas for all to remember and learn by.
And now as a retired Police Inspector, it was only fitting to create these images and follow my path.
My research took me to an investigative journalist, barrister, film producer, the senior police investigator who caught the murderer, and a victim of this miscarriage of justice.
I was warned by former police officers not to do it. But the truth is just that and all the victims involved had their lives changed forever. Mine was a small worry and not even comparable to theirs. So, isn’t it right to put your neck on the line at times for what you believe in? I think so.
Two pieces emerged from my studio, the other being “Uproar” and both were exhibited on the 21st Anniversary of the sentencing of the murderer Jeffrey Gafoor.
The exhibition was attended and supported by many people who had a part to play in both the investigations into the murder and the subsequent miscarriage of justice and corruption trials, the prison service, journalists, film producers, families of those involved s well as a victim of the whole process. The exhibition respected and recognised all the victims including Lynette White herself.
Many stories emerged that night of people’s roles and subsequent interviews with ITV News and BBC Radio Wales ensued.
The aim of this project is, has, and always will be to ensure that when we are long gone, and this artwork hangs somewhere in the public domain, young people will ask who are these people named and what is this artwork all about?
And the curator will ask them if they have heard of the tragedy of the Lynette White murder, and the biggest miscarriage of justice to have ever taken place.
And when they say no, the curator will sit them down and tell them all about it.
Then, as a Storytelling Artist, my role will have been worthwhile.
Please also see "Uproar" artwork listed here.
Ian Mackenzie
