Have you ever wandered through a city and marvelled at its character? Did you pause to look at the backstreets and landmarks?

This is the inspiration for From Manchester to New York, a new solo exhibition from Michael Ashcroft ROI MAFA, which will shortly be on display at Manchester’s Contemporary Six Gallery. 

Ashcroft hopes to convey the importance of experiencing and connecting with a view. After a visit to New York three years ago, Ashcroft, who grew up surrounded by the cultural and artistic offerings of Manchester, was intrigued to find similarities between the two cities, particularly “a feel good ‘you can do anything’ attitude”. The collection merges the obscure street corners of Manchester with the monumental bridges and landmarks of New York, which Ashcroft depicts by developing “a moment in time captured in my mind and then in paint”.