This sensual and vibrant painting by local artist Michael Gutteridge shows the hustle and bustle of a daily commute at the tram station at St. Peter's Square, in the heart of Manchester. It was painted over several years, so when it was finished the look of the square had changed considerably. During those couple years the Metrolink tram stop was moved, the new skyscrapers seen in the background were built and the square itself was relandscaped with new trees. The painting was more recently altered to match the present look of the square.
The Square itself was created in 1907. It rapidly became dominated by large buildings as the old houses and converted commercial premises were demolished. First was the Midland Hotel, built 1898-1903, followed by the YMCA along Peter Street in 1909, the Central Library in 1934, the Town Hall Extension in 1938 and finally the buildings on the south-east side of the Square in the 1960s and 1970s.
Michael Gutteridge is best known as a painter of urban landscapes, usually of Manchester, UK, the city he grew up and lives in. His paintings possess a sensual vibrancy achieved through distortions of form and colour, lively brushwork, and a playful skewing of perspective. His work has been used in a promotional capacity by Marketing Manchester, Lancaster University, Manchester University, and in literary and music media as book jackets and in a pop video. Michael has also been featured in newspapers, magazines, television, BBC online and radio and his paintings are held in private collections all over the world.
Fine art quality print, hand trimmed and packed with care in Manchester, UK.
