We’ve joined forces with local artist Sophie Nixon for a new art installation on our Deansgate frontage, using empty space to showcase local work.
The brand-new art collection, Back To These Streets, was unveiled on Tuesday September 14 and features drawings of the the streets and skylines of Manchester.
Sophie Nixon created the series of sketches throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Her drawings were inspired during the past 18 months in lockdown, where she spent her time walking around the iconic city whilst sketching.
Sophie paints contemporary city and landscapes in oil paint both in the studio environment and ‘en plein-air”. Inspired by artists such as Edward Hopper and Ben Mclaughlin, Sophie takes the element of the scene that draws her in and creates a story around it. With strong composition and a vivid colour palette her paintings are filled with a sense of impending drama.
Her work is shown through Comme Ca Art and is held in collections across the UK and Europe.
Speaking of the Back to These Streets collection, Sophie Nixon said: “As a painter interested in the ever-changing skyline of Manchester, I felt that I wanted to see and document the city in lockdown and understand the images I was seeing on the news. My first trip to Manchester in mid-April was surreal, I drove into the centre and found the streets empty and the parking free. The sun was out and the few people I passed looked as surprised by the peace and tranquility as I was.
“I sketched and photographed a lot around the city centre and around some of the suburbs. Where I was previously obsessed by the buildings and structures of the city, I became more interested in the human interactions I spotted out and about. Walking through Ancoats I listened to music in people’s front gardens as the residents made the best of the time out.”
The local artist has included sketches of Matt & Phred’s, The Albert Hall and Night and Day Café which will all be available to bid on in the Forever Manchester auction in a few weeks time. All profits from the sale of these three sketches will go to the charity.
All of Sophie’s sketches are for sale on her website and on her Instagram.
