‘Chance Encounter Banner’ by The Turnpike Gallery.

On April 20th, I had the pleasure of attending the Turnpike Gallery’s launch of their latest exhibition, “Chance Encounter.” This captivating exhibition features the works of two distinguished artists, Jeanette Orrell and Leonard Green, both hailing from Leigh and boasting impressive international careers. The showcase was lively upon arrival with people gathered to share and celebrate local artists and their work.The turnout for the launch reinforced how the community of Leigh comes together to celebrate art, showcasing a strong sense of unity and appreciation for local talent. The Turnpike Gallery serves as a vibrant hub for these gatherings, creating deep connections between artists and their audience.

Leonard Green was born on Organ Street before moving to Wigan Road in Leigh. He pursued foundation art and design at Wigan Technical College, followed by a Fine Art (Painting) degree at Manchester University, culminating in an MA. Green’s colourful abstract paintings balance gestural mark-making with structure and geometry. Drawing influence from Northern Soul, Green’s paintings mirror the genre’s buoyant energy and euphoric rhythm.

During his early days as an artist, Len became a semi-professional DJ at a time when Northern Soul was a popular genre in the local music scene. He regularly played at ‘The Tuesday Club in Culcheth and the ‘Way In’ Club in Leigh. The DJing not only helped fund his art studies but also acted as an inspiration to inform his paintings.

Personally, a feature of Green’s paintings that captured my attention was their bold use of colour. It’s impossible to walk past them without being drawn in, as the vibrant colours demand your attention. I could see the influence of Northern Soul in his work through the placement and intensity of the brush strokes. Viewing his paintings allowed me to visualise Len’s creative process while imagining the vibrant melodies and upbeat sound of Northern Soul in the background. I believe Green’s paintings can be interpreted in various ways by different people, but to me, they express the passionate, overwhelming emotions evoked by listening to Northern Soul.

Len left the Northwest in 1984 to join the Art Department at Millfield School in Somerset. He notes that the decision to leave behind painting and lecturing for a teaching post was curious. However, in 2010, Green returned to his roots and resumed painting. Despite physically leaving the Northwest, it is clear from his art and recollections that it is never far from his mind.

“I went to Wigan Technical College for my Foundation course; the college was then very much a working building. I do remember the Art school, and it was located on the top floor, which had to be climbed every morning, noon, and night! I remember eating fish and chips or steak pudding and chips every day for that whole year. I sorely miss steak puddings—they don’t sell them in the South! I’m really looking forward to tasting one again when I’m back up north.”

Len’s memories and the vivid influence of his Northern roots continue to shape his art, underscoring a deep connection not bound by geography.

Jeanette Orrell, like Green, hails from Leigh. After completing secondary school at 16, she opted to pursue a foundation course in Art and Design at Wigan Technical College. Following this, she ventured to London to delve into ceramics at Camberwell School of Art from 1982 to 1983. Subsequently, Orrell embarked on a journey spanning London, Japan, and Greece before returning to Wigan between 1989 and 2002. During this time, she balanced her artistic work with raising her two daughters alongside her partner, Steffan.

In 2017, Orrell received the prestigious Arts Council of Wales Creative Award, coinciding with her return to Wales. This grant facilitated her return to Japan, where she immersed herself in studying indigo dyeing at a farm nestled in the foothills of Mount Fuji. Her artistic practice seamlessly merges fine art with craft techniques, exploring profound themes such as familial bonds, nature, and motherhood.

Upon my first encounter with Jeanette’s work, I was immediately drawn to the diverse shades of blue evident in her pieces, achieved through the meticulous use of indigo dye. This dye has the remarkable capacity to evoke a spectrum of blue tones, ranging from the soft hues of a summer sky to a deep, almost purple-black. Her art seamlessly intertwines with nature, reflecting the intricate processes of life. Much like plants transitioning through various stages of existence, her work beautifully captures this universal theme.

Reflecting on her art brings me a profound sense of peace and presence, offering a rare escape from the tumultuous nature of the world. Moreover, I find Jeanette’s reflection on the Turnpike Gallery to be particularly poignant, as she recalls her brother’s experience:

“My brother, who is five years older than me, was on a foundation course in 1976 and had been taken to visit the Howard Hodgkin exhibition at The Turnpike Gallery. He told me that it was free to enter, and no permission was needed; you could simply walk in and admire the art. So, I did. I can still vividly recall the impact of that exhibition—it left a deep and lasting impression on me.”

As a volunteer at The Turnpike Gallery, I feel privileged to partake in the exhibitions the gallery offers to the local community. ‘Chance Encounter’ is another example of an exhibition that unites people by celebrating local art, offering a contemplative journey through the contrasting facets of life. Green’s work allows us to reminisce about the vibrant days of Northern Soul, with its energetic rhythms and melodies, while Orrell’s pieces provide a serene backdrop for contemplating life’s deeper meanings.

The exhibition runs until June 22, 2024. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend visiting ‘Chance Encounter’. I assure you, it will be a worthwhile experience! As always, I will link The Turnpike Gallery’s social media channels and website below.

The Turnpike Gallery’s Facebook

The Turnpike Gallery’s Website

The Turnpike Gallery’s Instagram