Michael Gutteridge

"Drawing from stimuli such as music and psychology, Gutteridge brings together disparate influences to capture the vibrancy and multi-valence of Manchester. His distinctive style relies on techniques of distortion and juxtaposition to create expressionist and surreal depictions of the city's architecture, as well as conveying social facets of life in Manchester." Inside and Out Magazine

Painting has always been of great interest to Gutteridge. He became a professional artist in 2000 after exhibiting at the Stockport Art Gallery Open Exhibition, as a result of which he was offered a solo exhibition there, the following year, and has since received critical acclaim.

Michael was born in Manchester, lives in Manchester and uses Manchester as his Muse. His paintings endeavour to capture the excitement and his emotions, which this peculiarly vibrant, architecturally diverse and eclectic city evoke. His paintings portray the city using interesting forms of derangement expressed through colour, brushwork, shapes, perspective, proportionality, energy and a juxtaposition of styles.

Some works convey existentially disorientating feelings through these techniques, whilst others convey a general sensual vibrancy. His influences include Carol Weight, Chaim Soutine, Edvard Munch and L.S. Lowry. More recently Gutteridge has become interested in abstract expressionism, thereby gaining a new respect for its practitioners. He is appreciative of the difficulties involved in its production, especially with the spontaneous nature of this style, elements of which can be seen in the skies, trees and windows in many of his latest pieces. These abstract details introduce emotional and sensual qualities which create a powerful juxtaposition to the figurative elements of the artist's work. Gutteridge states: "I find the effects quite exciting, both to work with and to contemplate."

Gutteridge has exhibited regularly around the North West and his popularity has led him to being featured in many newspapers and magazines. Solo Exhibitions (a selection of): The Octagon Theatre, Bolton, 2004 The Portico Library & Gallery, Manchester, 2005 Group Exhibitions (a selection of): The Big Heath, Knutsford, 2004 Macclesfield Town Hall, Macclesfield, Cheshire, 2004 & 2006 Manchester Art Show, G-Mex, Manchester, 2004 The Cheshire Show, Tabley, 2004 The Big Heath, Knutsford, 2004

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Phone: The Blyth Gallery  0161 236 1004    Fax: 0161 228 0633    E-mail: gallery@artmanchester.com