The humble bee – a symbol of industry and cooperation. Symbolic indeed. For what was this city built on? And what were its exports? The backdrop is a map of itself – Manchester in the 1800s. The mosaic bee hovers near the Town Hall – wings still and broken up by tiny tiles. One of the many creatures that decorate the floor of the great hall within the Town Hall.
A bee, a symbol associated with Manchester for years took on an added significance in 2017 following the Arena Bombing. Since then, they creep into my work, never more consciously so than in this painting.
The streets on the map are unclear. Names are removed. They have changed dramatically since the map’s creation. The Town Hall is there but hidden in the street chaos and mosaic tiles. The Free Trade Hall is the only building named. The rest of the map blends in amongst the bee mosaic tiles and the Town Hall’s gothic decoration, the latter looms above. The sunbathed clock face marks time at 4:20pm as golden light details a blend of confusion and clarity on the stonework. Subtle colours pick out details – sap green, deep purple, and earthy browns – that blend to define a civic pride symbol.