COMMENTS FROM SALFORD MUSEUM AND ARTGALLERY
Amy Brunn, exhibition manager for Salford Museum and Art Gallery, said:
"Andrew's art is striking, bold, and makes a massive impact in the gallery. His story telling and poetry is a real social commentary on Salford and Manchester and brings the paintings to life. The way he uses the paint in layers, dragging it, produces architectural details and creates characters in his own unique style. This is why we wanted to represent Andy as our inaugral solo artist in our new community exhibition space, The Park Gallery."
Check out my exhibition at Salford Museum and Artgallery 2023 -2024 I was the resident inaugural solo artist
https://salfordmuseum.com/exhibition/andrew-alan-matthews/
https://salfordmuseum.com/event/andrew-matthews/
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Books for sale by Andrew Alan Matthews
https://www.blurb.co.uk/user/andyeileen
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COMMENT BY EMMA EVANS ARTGALLERY
Emma Evans Blog Post
Reliving Stories Through Art: Andrew’s Solo Show on Connection and the Urban Landscape
by Emma in Art Shows on Posted onJune 23, 2025
Connection is at the heart of this show. It’s something we talk about often, in life, in love, in art. But rarely do we see it portrayed so powerfully. On the preview night, guests paused in front of certain works, not just because of their composition or scale, but because they felt something. That twinge of recognition. That warm of a memory.
Andrew’s gift is this: he paints not just a place, but how that place feels.
Each piece is rooted in Manchester and Salford, cities that hum with history, resilience, change, and everyday beauty. But instead of simply documenting them, Andrew builds his work with emotion. His canvases are rich with layers of colour, depth, and texture that echo the complexity of the stories we carry.
A Painting That Sparked a Story
One of the most moving moments of the night came from the sale of a major piece that resonated deeply with one guest. The artwork captured a familiar place. It turned out to be somewhere special where he went on a first date with his wife.
Their anniversary is coming up again in August.
It’s a beautiful example of what this exhibition is all about. The art doesn’t just depict; it awakens. It becomes a mirror, reflecting your own story back at you, altered slightly by light and texture and time.
Come and See the Art , Relive Your Stories
We want to invite you — or invite you back — to spend time with the work. Whether you’re from Manchester, Salford, or you’ve only passed through, chances are one of these paintings will feel strangely familiar. The terraced streets, the low skies, the soft defiance of red brick — it’s all there. The city is seen not from above or from afar, but from within. Through the eyes of someone who’s lived it, walked it, loved it.
Each piece of art Andrew has created a poem, when you arrive in the gallery under each piece of art is a QR code to take you too Andrews UTUBE reciting the relevant poem.
This isn’t art to glance at and move on. It’s art to stand in front of. To breathe in. To let memories bubble up.
If a piece speaks to you, don’t be surprised. That’s the magic. These works are alive with your stories too.
Tell Us Your Story
What memories did the art bring up for you? What streets did you walk through in your mind as you wandered the gallery?
We would love to hear your story. Whether it’s a tiny detail or something bigger, like a life event, we want to know how you connect with the work
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There’s space in the gallery to leave a note, or you can drop us a message online. In fact, hearing how people respond to the pieces has become one of the most meaningful parts of the show. It’s a reminder that art is a conversation and everyone has something valuable to say.
The exhibition is open until Saturday 27th July, and all the works are available for sale
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The Artist Behind the Work
Andrew’s practice is rooted in a deep affection for the North — not just its landmarks, but its moods, its light, and its people.
For Andrew, painting is an act of storytelling. And like all good stories, these paintings make room for your own voice too.
Written by Emma
Emma Evans Blog post link
https://emmaevansartgallery.co.uk/reliving-stories-through-art-andrews-solo-show-on-connection-and-the-urban-landscape/?sfnsn=scwspmo&fbclid=IwY2xjawLIsiFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFqQXZiY3FuNnpzc2NRRFQ2AR7602GN541AoBKr0__-Mtk5IN8A0Ew5QtC5wZP7MJsIk0j8i0qUFwMbsDwAVg_aem_z_X3_3Nm-Ud833mqpU-30A