Hadfield gallery to welcome well-respected Glossop artist and art historian

The Wall in the Barn gallery space in The Craft Barn in Hadfield is preparing to host the first-ever solo exhibition of the work of Glossop-based artist Michael Howard.

Entitled 'Eye, Hand and Heart', the exhibition will take place over the bank holiday weekend, 28 April to 1 May. 

Michael, who has lived in Glossop for over 35 years, is an artist, lecturer, and writer of art books, plays and poems. 

The exhibition centres on a selection of paintings that Michael has made in response to the majestic presence of Kinder Scout, created while out walking on the moors with his dogs Pippa and Bess.

Michael told us: "There is something very special about drawing and painting directly within the landscape: a sense of connectivity as the eye, hand and heart interact in response to our fabulous ever-changing environment."  

A selection of Michael's tiny sketchbooks, that weave writing and drawing together, will be on view to give a fascinating insight into his unique creative process. 

These works will be accompanied by several paintings that reflect the artist's various interests and loves – domestic scenes, still life and pieces inspired by other artists’ work. 

Michael Howard 

During his career, Michael has published over 20 books on the history of art including L.S. Lowry: A Visionary Artist; An Evening at the Cabaret Voltaire; Ghislaine Howard: the Human Touch and many books on the Impressionists, including Monet, written in association with the Musée Marmottan, Paris, and Gauguin, in association with the Gauguin Museum, Tahiti. 

Being There, a collection of his poems and paintings, is currently being published by Gnōbilis Press and will be available to purchase at the exhibition. 

Manager of the Wall in the Barn, Julia Norton, shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming exhibition.

She said: “It is an extraordinary privilege to be able to curate and present the work of such a well-respected artist and art historian. This show will provide a wonderful mix of his collection, from work inspired by Braque, to beautiful still life pieces and not forgetting the watercolour paintings created ‘en plein air’ which capture the mood and beauty of our High Peak landscape." 

'Eye, Hand and Heart' will open for an evening viewing (6.30pm to 9pm) on Friday 28 April and then continue throughout the weekend from 11am to 4pm each day at the Wall in the Barn in The Craft Barn, just off Station Road in Hadfield.

LISTEN: You can hear our interview with Michael by clicking play below...