Whilst walking along the historical link between Salford and Manchester along Chapel street and onto Deansgage, local artist Anthony McCarthy became intrigued and aware of the monumental buildings and regeneration taking place.Now a new exhibition in the Library’s reading room charts his interpretation of the regeneration.
About Manchester meets the artist and takes a look at his pictures.
One of the most important things that you can do in life is to put your ideas into the world, Anthony tells me as we meet in the reading room of the John Ryland’s Library where his sketches are currently on display.
He has drawn from a young age, his family originates from the area and he felt that it was time for his mixing feelings about the regeneration to be captured on canvas.
With Chapel Street now being modernised with buildings being knocked down or cleaned and its pavements now lit in a contemporary manner highlighting once darkened areas, he felt the need to record the change but as he explained it is a work in progress.for example the image of the Lowry Fish bar is no longer with us whilst St Philip’s church has been for some time wrapped in scaffolding.
Anthony makes no apologies for being inspired by the likes of Lowry and Harold Riley.He has, he told me met so many artists and has taken something from almost all of them.Many of his sketches are set in either the early morning or at night.Anthony is particularly interested in looking at weather conditions and its effect on buildings.The dynamic of the people that occupy the streets are also highlighted. The darkness bringing out the drama of Manchester after hours.
The exhibition begins as a walk from deep inside the John Rylands in the Classic Victorian built toilets, then out into the foyer and onto Deansgate before continuing along Chapel street, the new fountains of Greengate, St. Philips church and the glass fronted Salford Central Station feature
