Andrew Alan Matthews

The Artist

Andrew Alan Matthews is a proud Mancunian artist who fell in love with Salford when he lived here for 18 years. His artwork is inspired by night-time vistas of both the cities skylines. His expressionistic style is created using free flowing brush strokes and palette knives. He creates the figures through inking, which evolves from the paint, allowing their characteristics to emerge in a modern scene. His paintings come to life further through storytelling and poetry. He finds painting with acrylics on canvas relaxing, enjoyable and stress free.

Andrew first fell in love with art on visits to Salford Museum and Art Gallery with his parents as a child. He was mesmerised by the dramatic painting ‘Famine’ by John Charles Dollman, which is still displayed in the Victorian Gallery on the first floor. It was this painting that made him want to become an artist. Later, whilst studying at Manchester Metropolitan University, he saw L.S. Lowry works on display here and attended a lecture on Lowry, which inspired him to create his own style of painting.

At the age of 28 Andrew was diagnosed with mental health issues which almost destroyed his career and life. Now fully under control, art and creativity help him to manage his condition and lower stress levels.

Andrew’s paintings are brought to life through story telling and poetry. Click on the images below to read Andrew’s original words about each of his paintings. There are also links to YouTube where you can listen to Andrew’s poetry.