Both of the selected paintings are based in my hometown, Batley.
The first, “A quiet morning on Commercial Street” features the row of shops in Upper Commercial Street which I am almost old enough to have witnessed being built! Many of the shops have changed hands over the years, and I have many unreliable memories linked to them.
“Skin & Tonic” on the far right was throughout my childhood a bike shop where brake blocks and puncture repair kits were common purchases.
The left-hand side of the Post Office was a great café run by an Italian guy who had perhaps the first expresso coffee machine I ever saw. The coffee tasted extraordinary, especially when served in glass cups. We would go there in our lunchbreak from school. We (thought we) were cool!
Next to the café was a sports shop/chiropodists run by Norman Hodge.
In my mind, Charnock’s Bakery and Whitehead’s Barber Shop have been there forever. I still go to Whitehead’s for my haircut. In my case, the name is entirely appropriate!
The second painting, “Into the valley”, is based on an old, semi-derelict mill building close to the Fox’s Biscuits Factory. I have painted many buildings similar in character to this one, and find their patina of age irresistible. For a long time, I used to walk past this building every morning on my way to the studio. It’s like an old friend.
The exhibition is at The Williamson Museum and Art Gallery from 30th September – 22nd December 2023. It will then tour the following galleries:-
Bankside Gallery, Southbank, London: 27th February – 3rd March 2024.
Rheged Arts Centre, Penrith: 14th March – 2nd June 2024.
The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle: 22nd June – mid-September 2024.
The Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate: 12th October – 21st December 2024.
It’s well worth a visit, so go if you can.
For more information visit - https://newlight-art.org.uk/prize-exhibition/
