Rochdale’s elusive NHS artist Bunksy reveals true identity

Artwork by 'Bunksy'

After a year of anonymously painting NHS heroes during the Covid-19 pandemic, the mysterious artist known as ‘Bunksy’ has finally announced their true identity.

A mental health team manager working in Rochdale for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has revealed herself as the woman behind the artist in a heartfelt social media post.

Confirming her artistic alter ego, Lynn Burton, home treatment team manager at Birch Hill Hospital, brings the curtain down on a heart-warming story, in which she painted 99 colleagues to applaud their work during the pandemic.

Lynn said: “After a whole year of painting our Pennine Care NHS heroes and reading so many lovely comments, I’ve been persuaded to make the 100th and final painting a self-portrait.

“I'd like to wholeheartedly thank everyone for supporting Bunksy, and especially thank my 99 heroes. They’re all brilliant and I'm super proud to have them as my colleagues.”

Lynn initially started Bunksy as a way to unwind between shifts during the height of the pandemic, and admitted she never expected her portraits would gain so much interest.

She said: “The outpouring of love for each of my heroes left me feeling really emotional. It was great to see so many families and friends sharing the portraits of their loved ones.”

“I would like Bunksy to be remembered as a small celebration of the phenomenal talent within our organisation and how we all pulled together in the face of a global pandemic.

“I was able to capture just some of our NHS stars, but I know there are thousands more within our organisation.”

Pennine Care has provided specialist mental health and learning disability services in Rochdale throughout the pandemic, as well as in Bury, Oldham, Stockport and Tameside. Bunksy’s portraits include staff from each of these boroughs.