A PHOTOGRAPHIC artist currently exhibiting a Macclesfield collection now wants to get brave Maxonians in the buff for a series of canalside shots.
Manchester-based photographer Neil Rowland – who is renowned for his images of naked people by city landmarks – was captivated by Macclesfield’s buildings and history during the work for his latest ‘non-nude’ exhibition.
Neil was commissioned by Arighi Bianchi to create a series of unique images which focus on the more unusual and forgotten parts of Macclesfield and Alderley Edge.
He said: "I wanted to create a series of pictures which both represented Macclesfield for people who don’t know the town and celebrated its fascinating diversity for those who do.
"Macclesfield isn’t the most obvious place to photograph, but it has amazing parts and things that you don’t immediately notice, like the art deco tiling on the Co-op, on Buxton Road, and stained glass in Christ Church."
Neil focuses on snippets of areas, such as rooftops, signs or reflections of buildings in water, to create a fusion of pictures united by theme or colour.
The 41-year-old added: "Photography is my bird song, you can go about not hearing it but once you do, you get to experience a wonderful thing. It is a very rewarding job. The most mundane places reflected in a puddle can turn into something gorgeous."
But now the artist is considering using the local landscape for a project involving nude Macclesfield residents in interesting locations around the area.
He said: "I was walking across a bridge along the canal and it was so unusual. Now I am thinking of taking some naked people there to photograph because it is such an amazing location, so if anyone is interested in appearing in the pictures they are welcome to contact me!"
Neil, who originally trained as a lawyer, has always been passionate about photography and still does all his work using the Pentax K1000 camera he has had since he was 12 years old.
To truly understand the town and discover its hidden gems, Neil spent time chatting to local residents and learning about the heritage of silk.
"There is an amazing Italian influence in Macclesfield – from Arighi Bianchi to Granelli’s Ice Cream. It also has a great breadth of people, from the wealthy and glamorous to the ordinary working man. I’m interested in the minutiae of the area, rather than technicality and form," he added.
Street signs, a hidden plaque at the old Fence Hospital, Paradise Mill and the reflection of St Michael’s Church are just a few subjects chosen by Neil for the current exhibition, which will be launched tomorrow (Thursday, December 13).
The exhibition will be housed on the ground floor at Arighi Bianchi and you can view it during normal store opening hours.
