Mitch Griffiths (British, b.1971)

Mitch Griffiths (British, b.1971)
Portrait of Liam & Noel Gallagher, Oasis
signed and dated 'Mitch Griffiths 96' (lower right)
oil on canvas
120 x 302.3 cm. (47 1/4 x 119 in.)

Provenance
The artist, from whom commissioned by
Chris Eubank, from whom purchased by
Michael Wood Art, Plymouth, 12 December 2008, from whom purchased by the present owner

Mitch Griffiths is a contemporary British painter renowned for his meticulous oil paintings that fuse classical techniques with modern themes. His work often addresses issues such as identity, consumerism, and societal contradictions, drawing inspiration from Old Masters like Caravaggio while incorporating contemporary symbols like drones and social media icons.

Griffiths' stature in the art world has been solidified through exhibitions at prestigious venues, including the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, which showcased 21 of his works in the 2016 exhibition Realisms. His solo exhibitions at London's Halcyon Gallery, such as Immortal in 2022, have further cemented his reputation.

Early in his career, Griffiths gained attention with a portrait of boxer Chris Eubank, leading to a patronage that lasted three years. Eubank commissioned multiple works and provided Griffiths with a studio, significantly influencing his artistic development.

In April 1996, Oasis delivered two of the most legendary live performances in British rock history at Manchester City’s Maine Road stadium. These gigs weren’t just concerts, they were cultural milestones. With over 80,000 fans across two nights, Oasis cemented their status as the defining band of a generation. The shows were a celebration of working-class pride, Northern identity, and the sheer power of rock ’n’ roll, with Liam Gallagher’s snarling vocals and Noel Gallagher’s anthemic guitar work filling the air of their hometown.

"That was the gig that said: Oasis are the biggest band in Britain. It weren’t about charts or critics, it was about the people." (Liam Gallagher)

Mitch Griffiths’ striking painting beautifully immortalises this moment of musical and cultural significance. With bold, expressive brushstrokes in a palette of electric blues and pinks, Griffiths captures the raw energy and emotion of Liam and Noel Gallagher on stage. The composition pulses with the intensity of live performance, conveying both the swagger and the vulnerability that made Oasis so captivating at the peak of their powers.

Offered with a guide price of £15,000-25,000, this painting is more than just a portrait, it is a powerful visual echo of one of the greatest gigs of the 1990s. Griffiths’ ability to blend realism with abstract dynamism makes this piece a must-have for any serious collector of music or contemporary art. It’s a rare opportunity to own a work that doesn’t just depict a band, but embodies a moment that defined an era.

"Maine Road was a spiritual homecoming. We’d played all over the world, but that was the one where it felt like we’d made it, properly. That was our patch." (Noel Gallagher)

Oasis remain one of the most influential British bands of the 1990s, credited with spearheading the Britpop movement and reshaping the landscape of UK rock with their anthemic sound and raw attitude. With landmark albums like Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, they captured a generation and built a legacy that continues to resonate.

Oasis is set to embark on their highly anticipated "Live '25" reunion tour, marking their first performances together since their 2009 split. The tour kicks off on July 4, 2025, at Cardiff's Principality Stadium and includes multiple sold-out dates across the UK, Ireland, North America, Asia, Oceania, and South America, concluding on November 23 in São Paulo, Brazil.