Alan Lowndes

by Jonathan Riley

'Alan Lowndes - A Retrospective', which takes in nearly 40 years of the artist's work, celebrates the 750th anniversary this year of Stockport Market where he rented a studio for much of his early career. Lowndes was born locally in Heaton Norris and Stockport has always provided much of the inspiration for his work, even after he moved to St Ives in 1959. He is famous for his depictions of Stockport streets, mills, parks and the iconic viaduct. Lowndes created scenes for his characters to inhabit, places where they carried out everyday activities like hanging out the washing or eating fish and chips. His work reflects a movement in the mid-1950s which wrote about, photographed and painted working class people. He depicted their aspirations, hopes and daily lives. His painting 'Coronation Street, Stockport' inspired Tony Warren to call his new TV drama Coronation Street in 1960.

253 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2011