Carlisle artist gets job to design AC/DC album motif on guitarist's coffin

Published at 09:11, Friday, 19 February 2010

They are not the words most people would choose to have inscribed on their coffin - but a north Cumbrian rocker could think of nothing better for his final resting place than “Highway to Hell”.

David Parkin at work

Video: Artist David Parkin at work

And he has found the perfect use for his coffin until he dies – as a safe place to keep his guitar.

The man had already acquired his casket and wanted to ensure it had an individual touch when the time comes that it is needed.

He is a fan of Australian heavy rock icons AC/DC and their legendary 1979 album Highway to Hell.

So, after turning to Carlisle artist David Parkins to get a personal inscription on his coffin, decided its distinctive cover was exactly what he wanted.

The Pirelli worker specialises in pyrography – the art of decorating material by burning – with his Artburnz enterprise.

He secured his latest project, for an unnamed client, through a friend of a friend.

Mr Parkins, 45, said: “He had seen some of my work and knocked at the door. He said he was getting a coffin and would I be able to sign something on it.

“I had a small picture of AC/DC that I had done. His favourite band is AC/DC and favourite album Highway to Hell, so he asked me if I could do that. I said ‘no problem’.

“He is going to keep his guitar in it, and put it in his living room.”

The family man, understood to be a roads worker in his forties, took delivery of his intricately-designed casket lid this week.

It took Mr Parkins, of Parham Grove, Raffles, a fortnight to complete.

The artist added:“You can’t go into a shop and say you want a coffin with AC/DC on it. The service I’m giving is a specialist one.”

Mr Parkins describes his burning work as being similar to tattooing. He works with all types and sizes of wood and leather and is able to create all manner of designs on them, including replicas of peoples’ photographs.

For more information on Artburnz email mrdjparkins@googlemail.com

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk