Textile-based artist puts on exhibition

AN ARTIST who grew up in Macclesfield is holding first solo art show at a gallery in Manchester next month.

Smart Barnett, 47, will be holding an exhibition of his textile-based artwork at the Gallery at 45 on Hilton Street in Manchester from May 9 – 15.

The former Tytherington High School and Macclesfield College student is a queer artist who combines digital art with traditional embroidery techniques to create textile pieces that explore online exhibitionism and online dating in LGBTQ+ community.

Growing up in Macclesfield Smart said there was only one bar in the town, the Old Amsterdam, which was frequented by queer people.

He said: “It was a bit tricky growing up as a gay guy in Macclesfield in the 80s. It would have been anywhere in the country, but it’s much different now.

“When I was growing up and first started going out at about 19 there was one bar on Chestergate which was gay-owned. I wouldn’t call it a gay bar but queer people went – it was nice to go out and not feel so isolated as a queer person growing up in a small northern town.

“The town has really changed, it’s a great place to visit and go to. I’ve got a lot of fond memories of it and I’m enjoying going back.”

Smart, who now lives and works in Manchester, said his mum Susan still lives in Macclesfield and that his dad Peter passed away of prostate cancer a few months ago at the age of 66.

He added that his father’s wake at the Jolly Sailor was well-attended as Peter was well known in the town as a builder and labourer.

“I was born in Macclesfield and my family still live there,” said Smart.

“I go back quite a lot. I’ve got a lot of family and friends in town now. It’s a great town.”

Smart said that his artwork is sometimes explicit, abstract and surreal.

He said: “I’m a queer artist so I try to explore queer lifestyle and especially the explosion of online dating and how we exhibit so much of ourselves online so freely and yet hide so much as well.

“I’m quite old so I remember a world without all of this technology.

“The crux of it is trying to figure out the world I’m living in.

“I think a lot of guys are insecure with what they see and experience online. It’s so easy for people to be something else behind their computer screen.”

●●Smart Barnett, 47, will be holding an exhibition of his textile-based artwork at the Gallery at 45 on Hilton Street in Manchester from May 9-15.