WHY SO SERIOUS? Heath Ledger as the Joker by Simon James Crossley in Manchester

Simon is a contemporary oil and acrylic artist based in Chorlton, South Manchester, specialising in bold impasto portraits of culturally significant figures from sport, music, and pop culture. His work is built on graphic intensity and emotional impact — paintings designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. Each piece captures a defining moment: the overhead volley, the iconic riff, the image that lodges itself in collective memory. In 2025, his painting ROONEY! — a portrait of Wayne Rooney's legendary Manchester derby overhead kick — was featured by the official Manchester United Instagram account to over 66 million followers, making it one of the most widely seen pieces of Manchester football art ever created. Simon takes commissions for bespoke portrait and figurative work for both personal and commercial clients. Whether it's a sporting hero, a musical icon, or a meaningful moment you want captured in paint — get in touch.