A remarkable collection of paintings inspired by Hartlepool's people, places and heritage has gone on display as Hartlepool Art Gallery hosts a major exhibition by local artist Stanley Davison.
'Stanley Davison: A Decade in Paint' runs until Saturday 10 October and showcases work produced over the last ten years by the self-taught Hartlepool artist.
Stanley began painting at the age of ten after his mother bought him his first set of paints using cigarette cards. He continued developing his artistic talent throughout a working life that included roles in the steel industry and twelve years framing pictures in a shop on Park Road.
The exhibition brings together a wide-ranging collection of his paintings, many inspired directly by Hartlepool and some drawn from his own imagination.
Stanley Davison - 'Supper at Emma's'
Familiar local landmarks including the Fish Sands, the old cemetery on the Headland, the derelict Steetley Pier and the town's harbour all feature in the exhibition.
Several works also reimagine paintings by renowned artists including Caravaggio, Velázquez and Cézanne, placing them within contemporary Hartlepool settings and among local people.
A distinctive feature of Stanley's work is his use of artists' mannequins and shop-window figures in place of human subjects. These recurring characters bring a unique quality to the paintings, creating works that can be thought-provoking, playful and sometimes unexpected.
Visitors to the exhibition also have the opportunity to purchase the paintings on display, as they are all for sale. Purchases can be made easier through Own Art – a national initiative that makes buying contemporary art affordable by providing interest-free credit for the purchase of original works.
Stanley Davison - 'Thin On The Ground'
Stanley said: "I've been painting since I was ten years old and I've never really stopped – in digs, in the sitting room and in a box bedroom with the easel fixed to the wall.
"Everything I paint comes from this place and the people in it – family, friends, people I've worked with and drunk with over the years.
“I had my first exhibition here in Hartlepool in 1981 and it's good to be sharing my work here again."
Councillor Rob Darby, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council's Housing, Growth and Communities Committee, said: "Stanley's work captures the spirit, character and history of Hartlepool in a truly distinctive way.
"This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors alike to enjoy – and even buy - the work of a very talented local artist whose paintings celebrate the town, its heritage and its people.
“We are delighted to welcome this major exhibition to Hartlepool Art Gallery and I would encourage everyone to come along and see it."
Entry to the exhibition is free. Hartlepool Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.