24th August - 14th September 2024
Mel Davies’ annual solo exhibition returns to the Mills with a new body of work inspired by stories and memories from his childhood. A semi-autobiographical romp through his youth.
Visit the Spinning Mill Loft, above Mel’s space in our artists’ studios, for an atmospheric and immersive experience in one of the rarely seen areas of Sunny Bank Mills.
Open 10am – 4pm Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays. FREE ENTRY.
ABOUT MEL DAVIES
Mel Davies has been a studio holder at the Mills since 2016 and has exhibited every year since 2013 in either the Gallery or in the Spinning Mill Loft. He is co-founder of the Spinning Mill life drawing class and instigator of the Mills’ community drawing event, Life Class Live.
Mel uses characteristically colourful oils to paint vivid scenes, be it Yorkshire streets, mills, wild gardens or mysterious characters and dramatic scenarios. There are always hidden narratives or tiny clues enveloped in his frenetic brush strokes and intense use of colour.
“I don’t claim to have had a Misspent Youth, but it makes for a catchy title and my childhood it did have its moments. Times were sometimes horrendous and often hard, but in the scale of things, there were many other kids we knew who had things much tougher than we did. At the time it felt as if everybody was more or less in the same boat, and we accepted what life dished up and got on with it, or just turned the radio up.
It strikes me that unless we/I somehow record these life events, be they momentous or insignificant, they will be forgotten or lost, even though sometimes this may be for the best. This show is essentially semi autobiographical, with a few of the corners knocked off.”
ACCESSIBILITY
The Spinning Mill Loft is stair only access, one flight above our Spinning Mill Studios. The Studios on the 2nd floor and are accessible via stairs or a lift (located behind the staircase within the Spinning Mill building). Mel will also have work on display in his studio throughout the duration of the exhibition.
There are several disabled toilets on site, as well as free accessible parking.
If you have any questions or concerns about access prior to your visit, please email [email protected] or call the Gallery Team on 0113 256 3239