Manchester glows at night, especially around St Peter’s Square and Albert Square. Cities are at their best at night time. The lights never fail to turn the drabbest of scenes into magical spaces. Especially where the architecture is as stunning as Manchester Central Library and the Midland Hotel.
The library is painted a dazzling yellow green while the tiled terracotta of the Midland glows a warm, fiery red, with shadows as dark as coals in a hearth.
We’re standing at the corner of Peter Street and Mount Street. Cars wait patiently at the lights. Well, maybe not patiently, it’s a Saturday night after all, and they’re probably keen to go home. Or to find somewhere to park, so that they can start their night out, or go to that party, and Mancunians do love a night out!
In the centre of the painting, under the brightest light, an indistinct group stand waiting. You can make out details of the odd person or umbrella. Whether meeting at the corner intentionally or not, they’re lost in a crowd. Anonymous to us, they may be, but each figure represents an individual with thoughts and feelings. We will never know their stories and can only guess at them.
There’s a song by Lindisfarne called Meet me at the corner. It’s one of my earliest memories and quickly became an earworm while I was painting this image.
Meet me on the corner when the lights are coming on And I'll be there, I promise I'll be there. Down the empty streets we'll disappear until the dawn if you have dreams enough to share
As soon as I heard it in my head. I knew I had the title. Can you imagine standing on this corner? Who would you like to meet there?
Meet me on the Corner has been sold, but other Manchester Paintings are available.