Artist’s legal bid for rights to Che Guevara picture
The artist, who is also known around the world for his Thin Lizzy album covers, has never taken a cent in royalties of his famous 1968 picture of the Argentine revolutionary.
The image has featured around the globe on everything from T-shirts to cereal boxes to movie promotions but the Howth resident has never cashed in.
Renowned art expert Dr Martin Kemp has rated Jim’s portrait as being number six of the world’s top 10 iconic images, behind Christ and the Mona Lisa.
But now Fitzpatrick wants to start charging people for using the image, with all the proceeds going to children’s hospitals in Ireland and Cuba.
He is already at an advanced stage of drawing up legal papers with barrister and Dublin TD, Michael Mulcahy.
“There’s no question the image is one of the biggest in the world alongside the likes of Coke but I have never sought any royalties for it.
“I have decided now is the time and I am hoping to have the copyright in place when I visit Che’s wife Aleida in Cuba in September for the opening of the Chez Guevara Cultural Centre in Havana,” said Mr Fitzpatrick.
Mr Fitzpatrick’s friend Michael Mulcahy is drawing up the papers for the copyright claim and doesn’t see a problem with the bid.
“People ask Jim all the time why he never took out a copyright on the picture but that’s just Jim for you. He isn’t interested in money.
“And this isn’t a political project for me either. I am a huge supporter of the arts and I’m doing my bit because I believe Jim is doing the right thing now.
“Everyone has exploited the image down through the years and now Jim feels it’s time to make the image do some good around the world,” he said.
Mr Fitzpatrick has also just completed the production of 995 limited, signed and numbered silk screen prints from the original artwork printed of Che Guevara in 1968.
The first numbered artwork will be presented to Che’s wife, Aleida.
Mr Fitzpatrick added that he was looking forward to travelling to Cuba in September and hoped the copyright issue has been sorted so he can officially hand the copyright image over to Che’s family and the people of Cuba.
“The Cuba Support Group and Simon McGuinness have so supportive of this dream I have and I an hoping to fulfil it in September.
“I want to finally say thank you to the people of Cuba for all they have given me and to finally give back this image of Che to the people it really belongs to.
“If some good can come of that through future money raised for hospitals and the likes, then I will be very happy indeed,” added Mr Fitzpatrick.
