There’s just one month left to experience ‘Of Time and Tide’ at Kirkby Gallery, an exciting exhibition showcasing the work of artist and printmaker Anthony Ratcliffe.
Anthony was born in South Yorkshire and has always based his work around an exploration of British landscape. After retiring as a senior lecturer at Manchester School of Art he became a full-time printmaker.
His work extends geographically from Shetland, Northwest Scotland, Cumbria, North York Dales and Moors, Dark Peak and the Mersey estuary. Shipwrecks, abandoned fishing stations, tree forms, island shorelines, watercourses and mine workings are captured in watercolours, woodcut prints and artists books.
‘Of Time and Tide’ features recent commissions and projects looking at the remote British landscape from mountain top to shoreline in watercolour and woodcut prints.
Anthony said: “Most of my work is underpinned by the desire to discover things in seemingly bare and remote landscape, usually this starts with maps, literature, historically documented explorations and archaeological discoveries. As part of the exhibition, I thought it would be interesting to apply this approach to parts of the Mersey estuary.
“After some research and visits to Formby, Crosby and Ainsdale I became interested in the shipwreck remains which appear at low tide, known as the mussel wrecks, the reappearance of the remains of Harrington Barracks at Formby and the blitz beach at Crosby.
“The series of watercolours and woodcut prints will visually explore some of these features against the backdrop of the busy estuary, random beach detritus and the broad western facing skyscape.”
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “We are delighted to welcome Anthony to Kirkby Gallery with his impressive exhibition of landscapes, particularly as these new works take in some of the iconic coastal locations in our region, which are no doubt familiar to many of our residents.
“As ever, there will be some fantastic opportunities for local school children to get up close to these works and discover more about different methods for making art and there are even a series of special workshops with Anthony, giving our local communities the chance to explore their own creative talents with guidance from the artist himself. I can’t think of a better way to conclude another fabulous year at Kirkby Gallery”
‘Of Time and Tide’ is at Kirkby Gallery from Monday 9 September to Saturday 14 December.
Kirkby Gallery is located at the Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, Kirkby L32 8XY. The Gallery is open Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) and Saturday 10am – 1pm (last entry 12.30pm).
