Copley (2024)

Original media: Inks, gouache, acrylics, watercolour, coloured pencil, gold leaf and gold thread.

Painted for 'Engineers & Chocolatiers' – a solo exhibition to celebrate Calderdale at Bankfield Museum, 2024.

Walking from Copley village, over the footbridge to the church, out through the woods and up towards Pickwood Scar. From a gap between the trees you can see the river Calder, passing under two railway bridges, and back down to Copley Village.

Originally named ‘Copley Mills’, the village was first conceived as a model housing scheme by Jonathan Akroyd for the workers of his mill. The original Copley Mills had 136 houses, 4 shops, it’s own school, library and co-operative society. After his death it was completed by his son Edward, who went on to build a whole model village – ‘Akroyden’ – in Halifax.

This was painted in Spring when the bluebells were just appearing and the church yard was full of blossom trees.

Available as a signed limited edition print, hand-finished with gold leaf and gold thread. All prints are mounted and can be posted, unless purchased framed.