Architecture

Imagine touching this painting? What would you feel?

The iridescent paints are raised and lumpy, especially around the windows. Feel it pressing into your fingers. You might catch a rubbery thread that you can peel to expose pristine white paper below. This is the final stage in the construction method of this piece. It began by drawing with masking fluid.

Are you wondering what you’re looking at? We’re at the base of an iconic building, 30 Saint Mary’s Ax, also known as Foster’s Gherkin, to be precise. A fascinating structure which was engineered as a simple ovoid shape. I was instantly struck by its simplicity and the smoothness of its contours. Simple it may look but not simple in construction,

Do you spot interesting buildings as you walk about? Would you have noticed this window or passed it by?

I had a working title of “Where’s My Phone, as there was a phone case on the windowsill, but I decided to change it. I thought it was a phone at first, and I wondered how likely it was that someone could leave a phone here by accident. It’s a busy passageway, not somewhere you’d stop for a selfie or rest to enjoy the view.

But, when I looked at it more, I noticed something deeper and historic, right before my eyes. Read the post to find out what.

The power of the lock comes from the gates, paddles, and winding gear. It’s a breathtakingly simple concept. The technology of its day and inspiration for this painting commission.

Perspective Matters The perspective of a viewer matters. Where you look from affects the view you have. Obviously, it’s why penthouses are so popular. To be able to look out on the world makes you feel like a king or queen in a castle. The Delight of Manchester’s Skyline Cities look so magical from on

Public spaces colour the lives of the inhabitants. Those people who visit, live and work around them. Sometimes a building’s significance goes unnoticed at the time, but later, that significance will be acutely felt. Manchester Art Gallery first came to my notice as a young girl walking up the steps after a short walk from St Peter’s Square.