The artist sometimes described as a ‘modern day Lowry’ will bring his larger than life personality and a fantastic new collection of limited edition art to Castle Galleries in thecentre:mk as part of a new nationwide tour entitled ‘Love is Life’.
Paul Horton, who will be in the gallery from 12noon to 3pm on Saturday 10th October, grew up in the grey industrial landscape of Birmingham in the sixties and seventies, but instead of turning his back on his sometimes dreary city surroundings, Horton transformed the working man and terraced back streets of his home town into highly collectable art – with his original paintings fetching anything up to £15,000.
The ‘Love is Life’ collection will bring his work within the reach of all collectors, at a time when the ‘credit crunch’ is biting hard. Horton’s nine strong limited edition pieces of artwork start from just £199 and the collection includes a limited edition sculpture, 'Beside The Sea'.
Some of Horton’s new pieces return to the familiar scenes of his industrial art with the working man pounding the terraced back streets on his inevitable and relentless journey to ‘The Works’ in a piece entitled ‘Life & Times’. The anonymity of the city is also clearly captured in ‘The Man Who No-one Knows’ with the figures dressed in period costume, adding to the illusion of reality.
However, Horton increasingly shows a willingness to leave the city behind. This is depicted in a cosier, country view in ‘Your Heart & Mine’, whilst ‘Spellbound’ hones in on the popular and topical wizardry theme. Hope is another strong theme in his work, and the sense of anticipation can be felt in watching a poor man wandering into town in ‘When The Circus Comes To Town’. Hope and dreams are almost palpable too in a captivating scene which depicts a group of young boys playing football in the shadow of a professional football stadium in a piece called ‘The Road To Glory’. Horton also pays a rare visit to the sea in the romantic ‘Love Is Life’ and the nostalgic seaside narrative ‘Far Beyond Forever’.
Horton has increasingly become transfixed by man’s relationship with the planet. He continues to use the powerful symbol of the ark – first seen in earlier collections – with ‘Fragile Earth’ showing an ark tilting in the melting icecaps.
Speaking about the upcoming tour to Castle Galleries in Milton Keynes Paul Horton said: “I love meeting new people and nothing gives me greater pleasure than to give people enjoyment through my art. Fans of my work will be pleased to see the familiar industrial scenes and working men that have featured in my art for many years, but with some light-hearted trips to the seaside and countryside too. I hope that collectors will enjoy the opening up of Horton’s world to address some of the important issues about how we treat our planet – this has become an integral issue for me in my art. Surely nothing can be more important than taking care of the environment in which we live, eat and breathe, not just for us... but for the next generation too.”
Horton’s life as an artist changed forever when he was signed up by leading publishers, Washington Green Fine Art Publishing, in 2001 which is also based in Birmingham. ‘Love is Life’ is the fifth tour for Horton and the artist will be adding a further personal twist to his visit to Castle Galleries, as he plans to offer to sign and write personalised messages on the back of any art purchased during his time in the gallery.
‘Love is Life’ by Paul Horton can be seen at Castle Galleries, 27 Acorn Walk, thecentre:mk, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK9 3AD from early October. The gallery is open Monday to Friday 9.30am-5.30pm (late night Thursday until 8.00pm), Saturday 9.00am-6.00pm, and on Sunday 11.00am-5.00pm. Paul will be making a personal appearance at the gallery on Saturday 10th October from 12noon to 3.00pm. For more information telephone the gallery on 01908 696040 or visit www.castlegalleries.com
