FAC 512 by Tim Garner

FAC 512 by Tim Garner in Manctopia
FAC 512 by Tim Garner in Manctopia

'FAC 512' is one of two in a series of commissions produced by Tim Garner, which pays homage to Tony Wilson and Factory Records. This piece depicts a view from the eponymous Hacienda apartments on Whitworth Street West in the heart of Manchester - site of the epoch-making Hacienda [FAC51]; a nightclub and music venue of the 1980’s and early 90’s that made Madchester the epicentre of musical hip.

'FAC 512' is one of two in a series of commissions produced by Tim Garner, which pays homage to Tony Wilson and Factory Records. This piece depicts a view from the eponymous Hacienda apartments on Whitworth Street West in the heart of Manchester - site of the epoch-making Hacienda [FAC51]; a nightclub and music venue of the 1980’s and early 90’s that made Madchester the epicentre of musical hip. The colours in this piece are electric - Garner has pushed the boundaries of his colour palette to emphasise the iconic British red brick to create an artwork which almost glows on the surface. A familiar setting to both locals and tourists - this piece was commissioned for a couple living in the apartments which look over this iconic setting, which is in the heart of Manchester city centre. Pops of crimson glow beneath Garner's signature skies, which are imbued with reflecting pinks and flecks of cement - creating a pleasing compositional balance between the sky and cityscape. Garner has a way of utilising visual languages in a way that isn't formulaic, but ensures his works are pleasing to the eye. “It’s just throwing possibilities onto the surface and seeing what works – and the reds really work” This piece demonstrates Garner's rigorous layering process of metals, iridescent pigments and cement. Applied in hundreds of thin layers onto the surface, these layers amalgamate to create light refractions and textures within the work that truly bring it to life. Taking 4 months to complete the two pieces, Garner describes the process as very fluid and sensual - he took his time to achieve the best results, and to really bring the painting to life, to a point where it could breathe. Through this toolkit of materials Garner is able to appropriate the spirit and physicality of the city, paired with his palette of metallics and iridescent pigments to imbue texture, light and depth. Through this process, Garner has captured a still snapshot of a city which never stops growing - expanded to large scale compositions which demand our time and attention. His works have their own agency in their ability to guide the eye and tell a story of a dynamic, exciting city in motion.

Based in his home studio in Stockport, Tim Garner is an artist who captures cityscapes through his own avant-garde lens. Inspired from his time living between Manchester and Paris, Garner works from photography and photo collage as his primary references, taking advantage of their visual immediacy and accuracy. Paint and cement are then used as a way of injecting emotive layers of meaning, forming Garner's distinctive style and flair. Through this process Garner has established his own visual language, which is imbued with character. His works are comfortingly familiar to a Northern audience, whilst enlightening and educating wider audiences. A piece of Mancunian history, this artwork would be a valuable asset for any contemporary art space, collection or home.