Chelsea Entwistle, the appointed artist in residence for Salford Shopping Centre’s golden anniversary, unveiled the long awaited commission last week.
The stunning commission is Chelsea’s artistic interpretation of the centre including the old shops and areas around the shopping centre.
The anniversary piece, alongside the accompanying exhibition, has further injected colour and culture into the shopping centre, as well as celebrating the history and culture of Salford.
Chelsea, a self taught artist who started painting during lockdown, was selected as the first artist in residence of the shopping centre after she produced a series of works of the city’s modern and historic iconic buildings.
Born and raised in Salford, Chelsea said the following on the commission: “I’m so excited to have been chosen to mark and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Salford Shopping Centre. To be the first artist in residence is an absolutely amazing honour.
“I’ve met so many people with some fascinating stories of what the shopping centre used to be like and I hope this will bring back lots of memories for everyone.”
Shaun Rhodes, from Salford Shopping Centre, commented: “When we first saw Chelsea’s work during the covid lockdown, we knew she would be the perfect fit for the centre’s first ever artist in residence.
“We are excited to have shown Chelsea’s outstanding work to the community and visitors to the shopping centre, the feedback has already been amazing and the piece stands as a beautiful display of Salford’s rich history and culture .”
The commission and exhibition is open to all visitors to the shopping centre for the next few months. More information about the centre can be found here: https://salfordshoppingcentre.
