A Taste of Honey is the work of Manchester based artist, Chris Acheson who captures the many facets of everyday city life in the 1960s in a series of contemporary film still style paintings with a modern twist. The collection of 15 paintings will be displayed within ARTZU Gallery, Manchester from Friday 20th November until Saturday 5th December for both public view and purchase.
Acheson’s inspiration for his latest project comes from Shelagh Delaney’s 1950’s great defining play and later film, ‘A Taste of Honey’ which conveys an exhilarating and daring depiction of harsh, working-class life in post-war Manchester and Salford. At the time it was first performed, the play shocked by addressing sensitive taboos of the time, all set in the working class North and offering little respite from its gritty, grey and harsh reality.
Taking this powerful social commentary on the realities of city living and its inherent social and class problems, Acheson reinvents it in an exciting and exhilarating new body of artwork that represents both the contemporary and the timeless facets of these very human issues.
Acheson says; “Of my many inspirations, cinema and music are often at the forefront and it was Delaney’s play that fuelled my enthusiasm for this project. I’m inspired by everyday life and constantly on the lookout for interesting compositions and setting up numerous possible narratives for the various characters that inhabit them. With a Taste of Honey, I wanted to use cinematic influence to capture deprived post-war Manchester city life, alongside references to contemporary urban living to create a really original and innovative concept”.
“When Chris Acheson outlined his initial idea for this exhibition, I was immediately hooked, says Nick Betney, Founder and MD of ARTZU Gallery. I’ve been a huge admirer of Chris’s work for a long time now and we’ve been delighted to represent him for many years. It’s high time we celebrated this ground-breaking film that defined an era. Acheson’s Technicolor odyssey takes us across the Manchester landscape of ‘the swinging sixties’ – bringing it all back to life, but with a very contemporary twist – something you simply can’t miss!”
I’ve bought two originals, Remake Remodel and the one of the bridge over the Ship Canal…never will regret it although couldn’t really afford it! I’m just an old Manc. Roxy still my favourite band…I have the original album of course (fir your pleasure). The art work is technically outstanding. Thank you Chris.