Specialist art supplies retailer Cass Art has launched a brand new art space in its Northern Quarter store which opened earlier this month.
It opened with a private viewing of Liam Dickinson: Portrait and the Urban Landscape a solo exhibition by Chorley-born artist Liam Dickinson, a finalist on Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2017.
Since reaching the final of the TV series, Liam, 29, has gone on to paint Manchester cityscapes which are on display here alongside his heat-winning works from the show.
He describes his style as ‘an impressionist form of photorealism, capturing depth of field and filtered lighting with a loose painterly approach’. His solo exhibition at the art space comprises both portraiture and urban landscapes and, in some cases, a combination of the two.
Manchester artist Jamie Green spent the entire evening of the launch painting away alongside Liam’s work.
At only 27, Jamie has been recognized by a variety of galleries for his unusual style and creativity, carving and paint. He frequently burns, deconstructs and concretes over his subject. These damaging and destructive approaches becoming the very essence of his work dealing with the themes of life, ageing, transformation, constant change and reinvention.
Jamie also took part in Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year and has just won the show’s public vote to return and compete in the 2018 competition.
Established by Mark Cass in London in 1984, there are now stores all over the country, with two in the north west. All Cass Art staff are artists, and the free, dedicated art spaces offer the local artist community the opportunity to host workshops, events and exhibitions.
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