Philip Horrocks

Philip was educated at Manchester Metropolitan University leaving with a degree in Fine Arts. He has worked since as artist and teacher. He has had a regular art workshop at Manchester Museum on Oxford Rd in Manchester, teaching both adults and children.

He has had a number of commissions including those from Manchester City Council and Peel Holdings plc. This latter commission was for four large oil paintings of the Trafford Centre, the flagship enterprise of Peel Holdings and was specially overseen by the Chairman, John Whittaker. The paintings are now displayed in the Chairman’s private suite at the centre. He was also commissioned by Manchester City Council to produce a drawing of a little girl. This was then produced in a limited edition series for presentation to foster parents in recognition of their services (the ‘Foster Oscars’).


Technique and Inspiration

Though Philip has won recognition particularly in his landscapes for their sharpness and photo-like immediacy, he has recently been exploring different, almost surrealistic, techniques in a series of Manchester scenes. His latest painting ‘The Jolly Angler’ explores people and places with a new insight. More are to follow.

‘My work has often been realistic, bordering on photo-realism. However the resolution of the image is not infinite, rather the paint marks are obvious and important.

The subject matter depicted by my work varies enormously, ranging from landscapes and cityscapes to portraiture. The reason for this is that the object to me is merely the ‘maguffin,’ an excuse to demonstrate the complex colours used and the variety and calligraphic virtuosity of the brush strokes. However with portraiture my concerns go deeper. My intention is to capture the whole individual to such an extent that the painting transcends being a mere image.

I work in a variety of mediums, oils, acrylics, watercolours, pastels, pencil, ink and ball point pen.’