Category: Alan S

Your Truth is not My Truth: Pool Arts respond to the Life and work of William Blake

Some of the work from our Blake exhibition October 2019

: America A Psycopathy, Roger Howard

: America A Psychopathy, Roger Howard

: exhibition view

: Dead Man, Lee Hadfield

: exhibition view

: Annette Ebanks, strong human form / subtle cloudy form

: The Dance of The Albion / Glad Day , Alan S.

: Joys and Desires, Alison Kershaw

: Another Adele reads from Blake at the opening of the exhibition

: Another Adele reads from Blake at the opening of the exhibition

Preview Thursday 3rd October 5-9pm All Welcome

Exhibition Dates:

3rd – 12th October 2019 (Weds/Thurs/Fri/Sat) 2-6pm

Workshop: Make your own lino print date:

Thursday 10th October 4:30-6:30pm (please contact to book, places limited)

The Horsfall, 87 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 5AG

The poet and artist William Blake (1757-1827) lived his life in poverty and received very little recognition during his own lifetime. He was considered at best an eccentric and at worst a madman by the critics of the time. However, a few dedicated followers preserved much his prolific work and he is now considered one of the most important British artists of all time, influencing art, literature and music from the Pre-Raphaelites to Patti Smith.

For this exhibition at Horsfall, Pool Arts researched the life, work and influence of William Blake and wondered what relevance he might have to our own experiences. Certainly we live in a time of political change and upheaval. Blake saw visions throughout his life that influenced his art but he was also an Enlightenment radical who contemplated the American and French revolutions; questioned religions and challenged dominant ideologies that he felt stifled imagination and the human spirit.

In this exhibition, our artists have looked at Blake’s biography, his art and poetry and from there created new work. What is Truth? Blake searched for a spiritual truth and found it rooted in imagination. Then as now, the fight between different Truths shaped the world. The exhibition features thoughtful responses from the Pool Arts artists, including; Alan S’s large scale painted installations, Paul Richards’ sensitive works of visionary mythologies and Roger Howard’s work exploring current political concerns. Becky Mary’s print “Quotation” perhaps sums up how difficult it has been to really understand the work of William Blake, deciphering a history through second and thirdhand research, viewing one of the Fathers of the modern age in art, from the perspective of a Post-Truth age.

Contributing Artists include: Another Adele, Akinyemi Oludele, Annette Ebanks

Becky Mary, Alison Kershaw, Alan S, Simon Mawdsley, I. Baron, Lee Hadfield, David Speers, Ruqia Artiste, Roger Howard, Eddie Price, Tess Lomas.

11th September 2019By Alison KershawIn Alan S, Archive, Blog, NewsComments Off42nd StreetArdwickArtArtsBlakeExhibitionHorsfallManchesterMental HealthPool ArtsWilliam BlakeYour Truth is not My Truth

Art & Reflections of a Retired Trained Killer : Alan S @ Horsfall, Manchester

We are delighted to announce a new exhibition by artist Alan S,

Press Release

Preview Thursday 7th June 6-9pm

Exhibition Fri 8th – Weds 13th June 2-6pm (closed Sunday)

The Horsfall, 87 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester, M4 5AG

With titles such as I would not have passed the anti-doping test or Shot at Dawn, Alan S. presents installations that speak of his life as a Guardsman in the Grenadier Guards and his experiences of homelessness.

Alan S began making his expansive installations, intricate dot paintings and poetry whilst he was homeless and has continued to develop work over the last eight years. He intuitively combines collections of discarded, found materials often discovered around the city in skips, bins and charity shops, together with paint and words; conveying his own experience, memories and personal histories.

This exhibition stems from the 100 year anniversary of the First World War and explores the personal histories of Manchester based artist Alan S. It features two floors of large scale installation works using found objects and explores the line between humour and seriousness.

With titles such as ‘I would not have passed the anti-doping test’ or ‘Shot at Dawn’, the installations explore his life as a Guardsman in the Grenadier Guards, his experiences of homelessness and his views on topical issues. This work is juxtaposed with painstakingly intricate dotwork pieces, each one taking over 50 hours to complete; a practice which the artist developed using accessible materials as a way to switch off and relax.

Alan S began making expansive installations, intricate dot paintings and poetry whilst he was homeless and has continued to develop work over the last eight years. He intuitively combines collections of discarded, found materials , often discovered around the city in skips, bins and charity shops on his daily explorations through back streets and alleyways. He combines these with paint and words; conveying his own experiences and memories.

In Alan’s words, “The work is ⅓ life experiences, ⅓ army, ⅓ fun of it. I like finding stuff, I don’t have a clue what I will turn it into. I like thinking about topical issues and turning the pieces I find into something new. I was in the 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier guards, making the work is my way of remembering the lives lost, doing it a bit differently than the ‘official’ way.”

Alan S’ exhibition is part of a wider partnership between The Horsfall and Pool Arts to showcase work which has been informed by the mental health of the artist or takes mental health and wellbeing as its central theme.

Media enquiries:

Julie McCarthy, Creative Producer (The Horsfall @ 42^nd Street) @TheHorsfall

About Alan S

Alan S has spent over 10 years living and making work in manchester, from intricate dotwork pieces to large scale installations based on his personal experience as a Guardsman in the Grenadier Guards and his experiences of homelessness. His work covers serious topics but always conveys a sense of humour and fun.

Initially creating work to ‘switch off’ and relax, he became a member of Pool arts 9 years ago and began exploring the larger scale, installation work whilst being a studio member of Hope Mill, continuing his practice at their studio in Ardwick.

“I am Interested in showing how accessible it is to make art and only use affordable materials. I find more joy in finding stuff in a skip than buying it.”

About Pool Arts

This exhibition is in association with Pool Arts; an artist led organisation which challenges the barriers that some artists face and aims to provide studio space, support, training, professional and personal development opportunities.

They are working to create a supportive framework, giving their members opportunities to produce, promote and sell their own artwork, as well as raising awareness of the positive role that art and culture can play in the wellbeing of the community. Pool Arts now has studio space in Ardwick and welcomes new members. Please contact for further information.

About 42^nd Street and The Horsfall

42^nd Street is a Greater Manchester mental health charity committed to supporting young people aged 11-25 years with their emotional well-being and mental health, promoting choice and creativity. With an excellent 35 year reputation, our unique holistic service model combines therapeutic psychological interventions with advocacy and social care. We reach 2000 young people each year via individual therapeutic support, projects and activities, leadership, peer research and a creative programme. The Horsfall is 42^nd Street’s creative venue and programme dedicated to improving young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Projects, workshops and events sees artists from across all artforms co-creating work with young people to interrogate their own stories and to imagine new futures.

www.thehorsfall.org.uk