Art tourist’s visions of lockdown living
AWANDERING artist who moved to Rossendale just weeks before the first lockdown has dedicated himself to chronicling life in his adopted home during this unique period.
Nigel Walker, 50, has been capturing the changing faces of Rawtenstall - and its people - throughout the course of the pandemic.
Nigel has produced a collection of drawings and oil on canvas paintings, with some of his canvasses are “as big as a bed”.
He hopes it will serve as a social record of 2020 - with its near-deserted high streets, businesses shutting down, and shoppers scurrying past in face masks.
“I moved here on March 1 and I’ve been in lockdown since I moved here,” said Nigel, who describes himself as a tourist.
“All I can do here is enjoy the environment. I just walk with my dog in Rawtenstall. It’s quite wonderful because it’s very precious to get this time.
“You can focus on yourself and do things you wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to do.”
Originally from Salford, Nigel’s work has previously been exhibited in Salford Art Gallery. He was recommended to the gallery by renowned artist Harold Riley, who used to paint alongside LS Lowry.
Nigel, who has also lived in Middleton and produced a series of artworks of its street scenes, moved to the Valley last March, although he has been a regular visitor to the wider area since his family moved to Edenfield around 20 years ago.
Nigel has already spent quite a bit of time on Bank Street, observing passersby, and he has noticed it changing rapidly since last spring.
“A lot of the stories will be focusing on the heart of the village and the shops, and painting the people that work in the shops,” he said.
“In the time I’ve been here since March I think they’ve lost five shops.
“I’ve recorded this whole ‘Covid time’ - just by chance. There’s no romance - if there’s graffiti and broken glass I include it.
“And that is what I want to keep capturing. If 2020 has a theme I guess it’s Covid fear.”
The paintings and characters - which will be recognisable to many - include ‘Baker’s daughters’, ‘ Bolthole and Sunday Best ladies’, and ‘What can I get you? - sandwich shop’.