Surrey artist commissioned for D-Day memorial

A new education centre is being built at the Normandy Memorial

A Surrey artist has been commissioned to create a painting for the D-Day British Normandy Memorial in France.

To mark the 80th anniversary, a new education centre will be built on the existing Normandy site.

Opening on 6 June, Jan Erika's painting will be on display in the main gallery in The Winston Churchill Centre for Education and Learning.

Ms Erika said: "I'm just enjoying every single brushstroke at the minute."

Ms Erika has described the commission as an "honour"

The large scale painting will feature many details including Winston Churchill and "an enormous Union Jack" floating above the White Cliffs of Dover.

The Ripley-based artist said the commission was her "greatest professional achievement".

Despite never going to art college, Ms Erika has always been interested in art but did not start sketching until 2018.

"I'm probably around two thirds through now - it's really taking shape," Ms Erika said of the artwork.

She added: “Its going to be seen by millions of people forever so it’s a massive tribute and honour to paint."

The Winston Churchill Centre will house two educational exhibition galleries telling stories of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, curated by The Royal British Legion.

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