ARTIST PAINTS INCREDIBLE SCENES FROM HIS HIGH RISE FLAT
In a quiet corner of Salford, from a second storey flat in Blackfriar Court, a hand darts to and fro across a canvas delicately placing lines to painstakingly create stunning images.
Phillip Horrock’s work depicts everything from majestic African animals, lifelike renaissance portraits and stunning scenes of Manchester and Salford.
The 64-year-old artist has lived and worked in Salford all his life and in that time has created some incredible paintings with his small home studio bursting with art materials, canvasses and his masterpieces.
With Manchester city centre just a stone’s throw from his home, the city has often been Philip’s muse; his work intricately picking slices of life from the bustling streets.
Inspiration also comes from further afield, as his canon of work shows his ability to capture beautiful images of African animals such as the head of a majestic lion, each hair of his mighty golden mane painstakingly committed to canvas.
Philip has been a Salix Homes tenant living at Blackfriar Court for nearly 30 years and the artist in residence loves his artisan abode.
He said:
“Oh, I love it here, Salix Homes have been great, they look after the place and I feel safe here. I love Salford, it’s a friendly, witty and warm place to live, it’s great being so close to such a good arts scene.”
Philip has painted since he was three years of age, drawing bunnies in nursery are some of his early memories. He went on to complete a degree in fine art and since then has spent his life painting, drawing and etching a wondrous array of images.
Nicola Mcatamney, our property safety officer, stumbled across Philip’s work on a routine home visit and was amazed by his work.
She said: “I couldn't believe what I was seeing - everywhere you look are these amazing pieces of art - it’s like a gallery in his own home.
"It’s hard to believe that a small apartment in a Salford tower block is home to some of the most extraordinary artistic masterpieces I've ever seen. Philip has an incredible talent, and his work deserves to be seen by the wider public.”
Philip has several pieces he is working on, but ultimately, he would love to have an exhibition so the public can enjoy his skill capturing images in lifelike detail.
“It would be great for others to see my paintings,” he added.
“I think a lot of people enjoy art in whatever form, I would just like to push my work as far as I can and let the good folk of Salford and Manchester see them.”