Haworth Art and Design - Artist's Profile:

Chris T.J. McCarthy

I attended art college during the original (and best) 'summer of love'.

Upon leaving I served an apprenticeship as a jewellery designer with an established major jeweller in central Manchester.

I started producing lapel badges early in the 70's and have been making them ever since. Investing in new plant, I expanded our range and introduced the current range of new promotional products.

During the 70's, I co-designed one of the first adventure playgrounds in the north of England; then went on to design and work on many other adventure-play projects across the North West.

Once the spirit of adventure play was finally strangled by red tape, I started an extremely ill-advised business: painting narrowboat accessories in Salford.

Ah well, we all make mistakes !

After the collapse of that venture, I re-joined the family antiques' business and spent 15 years renovating, restoring and copying antique furniture: fitting furniture to houses ... and changing houses to match furniture !

During this period, I also produced a large number of t-shirt designs; most notably those worn by the British Airway's Road Racing Team.

When my parents retired, I went into partnership with a (then) relative to continue the business. However: after being completely 'fleeced' by her and her family, I found myself both homeless and without any form of income.

At this low point I decided to go back to college. I gained C&G's in Horticulture and Electrical work. My idea was to start a hard-landscaping design and construction business with a close friend. However, this was not to be. I suffered a severe back injury.

Ah, well.

Once I had recovered I went back to what I love best ... ART ... and joined Bradford's Social Services Department to become an
arts and crafts instructor for people with physical disabilities.

I also went back to University to study Education ... gaining a post-18 Certificate in Education, qualifying me to teach further and higher education.

During this period, I also accepted an evening post with Bradford
College as a crafts instructor for students with learning difficulties. I went on to design the accredited practical art course for this
sadly-neglected group.

Throughout this time I held a minimum of one solo exhibition each year.

My work has been exhibited in many major galleries throughout England and Ireland (including the Manchester Gallery of Contemporary Art, St. George's Hall in Liverpool, The Design Exchange in Bradford ), at the Brighter Homes Exhibition, many 'lesser' galleries and

... of course ...
'... many pubs, bars and other ' lowly places.' *

* I read recently a preposterous article by an artist local to me.
He stated that: "genuine or professional artists don't exhibit in pubs". To this obvious nonsense, I have only one retort:
'Van Gogh & the other 1,000+ absinth quaffers.'

This artist and many others like him do little to help the arts ... being more content to persue money, rather than expand their artistic gift. If we all stopped experimenting and pushing the bounderies of our art once we had found a formula that 'sells', we would never progress. I recall being lambasted by my art teacher for using (the then newly-invented) fluorescent paints in my work ... apparently, they are not 'proper' colours. If I had taken any notice of his advice, I might well be a more 'succesful' artist; but I would never have painted the works that I am most proud of.

To my amusement, I have noticed that 'limited edition' prints of the afore-mentioned artist's pictures are now appearing in local pubs.

I think it's called 'irony'.

In 2000, I received a 'Star Person' award for promoting the visual arts.

During 2001, I was awarded a lifetime fellowship of the Millenium Association, for 'community integration through art'.

In 2007, I gained both a 'Community Champions' award and an 'Exceptional Achievement' award from the Government office for Yorkshire and the Humber, for the 'Haworth art project'.

I have qualifications in art and design, teaching, management skills, horticulture, electrics, business management, play and group leadership (NPFA)....

... but I honestly believe that my life's experiences are much more important than any qualifications that I might have collected
along the way.

I am always willing to help local budding artists, if I can.

Please get in touch ... it costs nothing to ask ... and I really have 'been there' !