Michael Ashcroft ROI MAFA British, b. 1969
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Michael Ashcroft is a contemporary artist known for his atmospheric cityscapes and serene landscapes. Michaels paintings have evolved over the years from early abstract acrylics to oils and more representational works painted on location, both in the UK and abroad. The foundations that underpin his paintings haven’t changed and that is his fascination with light and dark and his love for the city and the landscape.
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WorksBiography
Born in 1969, Michael John Ashcroft grew up in a small village called Croston in the heart of Lancashire. After leaving school in 1985 he began his career as an engineer, painting and sketching only in his spare time. In 1998 he had a major operation to remove a brain tumour and decided to paint more seriously. He returned back to college and completed numerous classes including A- level Fine Art.
His paintings have evolved over the years from early abstract acrylics to using oils and more representational works painted on location. The foundations that underpin his paintings haven't changed and that is his fascination with light and dark and his love for the city and the landscape.
Michael Ashcroft has gained many awards over the years - his most recent accolades are his election as a fully fledged member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI), acceptance into the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, and gaining entry into the Royal Society of British Artists, and the Howard De Walden Exhibitions in London.
His work gained him a place at the Mall Galleries in London, where he beat over three-thousand artists to become a finalist competing on the BBC 2 Art programme Show Me The Monet. He became one of only thirty to show work at the Mall Galleries. 2015 saw Michael's first painting accepted for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London.
Society Member
Associate Member of Royal Institute of Oil Painters (AROI)
Manchester Academy of Fine Art
Awards
Boldbrush Award Winner 2024
Awarded the ROI 2020
New Light Shortlisted 2020 - 2024
Royal Institute of Oil Painters 2020 - 2024
New English Art Club 2020 - 2022
Alan Gourley Memorial Award for Excellence 2020
Royal Institute of Oil Painters
Winner of the Frank Herring Easel Award 2017
BoldBrush Award 2017 Winner
Buxton Spa Prize 3rd Prize 2015
BoldBrush Award, Finalist 2014
Artist of the Year 2013 Highly Commended
Artist of the Year 2013 Finalist
International Artist Finalist
Brownedge art Festival Winner
West Lancashire Open Commendation
South Ribble winner and Peoples prize
Harris Museum Winner 2009
Show Me The Monet Finalist
Exhibitions
Panter & Hall, London, Northern Boys Exhibition 2024
Priory Gallery, Cotswolds, Solo Exhibition 2023
Contemporary Six, Manchester Life, Solo Show 2023
Collect Art Exhibition 2023
Thompsons Gallery Group Exhibition 2023
Artistry House Northern Boys Exhibition 2023
Windermere Gallery Solo Exhibition 2022
MAFA Exhibition 2022
Distinguished Northern Artists Exhibition, Long Gallery 2022
Contemporary Six Gallery, Northern Connections Group Exhibition 2022
Contemporary Six - Solo Exhibition " From Manchester to New York " 2021
Royal Society of British Artists Oldham Art Gallery MAFA 2019
Whitaker Art Gallery Southport MAFA 2019
Royal Institute of Oil Painters 2018
This Is Manchester solo Exhibition Contemporary Six 2018
Royal Institute of Oil Painters 2017 -2024
Contemporary Six Gallery 2017
Colourfield Gallery 2017
Mcgill Duncan Art Gallery 2016, 2017, 2018
New Light Ex Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery 2018
New Light Ex Bankside Gallery, London 2018
New Light Ex Huddersfield Art Gallery 2018
New Light Ex Bowes Museum 2017
Royal Institute of Oil Painters, London 2017, 2018
Buxton Spa Prize 2015, 2016
Royal Institute of Oil Painters, London 2011, 2012, 2014
Howard De Walden Exhibition,
Thompsons Gallery, London 2012, 2013
Hepplestones Fine Art Gallery Solo Exhibition 2012
Colourfield Gallery Visions of Manchester Joint Exhibition 2012
MAFA Spring Exhibition 2013
Royal Society of British Artists 2014
Thompson's Contemporary, London, Exhibition2013, 2014
Artist Of The Year Exhibition 2014 Mall Galleries, London
Harris open Exhibition 2013
John Noott Joint Exhibition 2013
Thompsons Art Gallery, Marylebone Autumn Exhibition 2013
Biscuit Factory Art Gallery, Newcastle Autumn Exhibition 2013
Hepplestones Fine Art Gallery Major solo Exhibition 2012, 2013
Colourfield Gallery Visions of Manchester Joint Exhibition 2012 Show me the Monet, Mall Galleries, London 2012
Magazine Articles and Television Features
Manchester Evening News 2021 'Painter's Tale of Two Great Cities' by
Neal Kealing
Buxton Advertiser 2015
Interview RA Exhibition Manchester TV 2015
Preston and Fylde 2015
Manchester Life Magazine feature 2014
Preston and Fylde Live 2013
The Artist Magazine issue Summer 2012
Manchester Evening News 2012
Art Observer 2012 (Michael J Ashcroft & The Silver Lining)
BBC Newsonline
Radio Times
The telegraph
Show me the Monet BBC
International Artist Magazine
Lancashire Life Magazine
Big Interview Newspaper (Preston)
BBC Radio Lancashire (Interview)
Exhibitions-
Michael Ashcroft - 'Manchester Life'
24 Feb - 15 Mar 2023An exhibition of urban oil sketches by Gallery artist Michael Ashcroft. This solo showcase will take place in our downstairs Gallery, creating an intimate viewing space and a chance to meet Michael who will be here to discuss his artistic process and inspiration for this new collection of work. This...Read more -
Winter Exhibition 2022
10 Dec 2022 - 22 Feb 2023Our Winter Exhibition 2022 brings a fresh selection of artwork from Gallery artists and a few new faces including Linda Schwab, Louisa-Longstaff Scales, Robert Mead, Craig Jefferson and Laura Pedley.Read more
This will be our final exhibition of 2022, a chance to view some fantastic art in a welcoming space and help the Contemporary Six Team toast an exciting year. We would love you to join us. -
Northern Connections
29 Oct - 20 Nov 2022MICHAEL ASHCROFT - ANNE ASPINALL - ARTHUR BERRY HELEN CLAPCOTT - FLORIAN FOERSTER - JEAN HOBSON GEOFFREY KEY - NORMAN LONG - L.S LOWRY - IAN MOOD JEN ORPIN - ROB POINTON - ADAM RALSTON - STEVEN SMITH LIAM SPENCER - PETER STANAWAY -JO STANNESS - COLIN TAYLOR ALAN JAMES...Read more -
Michael Ashcroft Solo Show
From Manchester to New York 4 - 18 Sep 2021Join us at Contemporary Six for the much anticipated solo show of gallery artist Michael Ashcroft ROI MAFA, which presents his urban landscape paintings from Manchester and New York. It is not one to be missed!Read more
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10
Contemporary Six's ten-year anniversary 12 - 24 Dec 2020download e-catalogue Join us for the mixed exhibition which celebrates our ten-year anniversary — featuring new work from a wide range of artists, and a few surprises, too! preface All of the artworks in the show are available to purchase from 7:30pm on Friday 27 November online or over the...Read more -
Winter Show 2019
Mixed work featuring brand new artists 7 Dec 2019 - 2 Jan 2020Save the Date for the Preview Weekend of our 2019 Winter Show from 12pm on Saturday 7th until 5pm on Sunday 8 December 2019.Read more
With brand new work from Gallery-artists Rob Pointon, Peter Stanaway, David Bez, Kate Collins, and others, join us for the festivities; walls on both floors of the Gallery will be freshly hung with paintings from some of the leading artists in the region.
As part of our Winter Show, we are proud to announce the inclusion of some beautiful plein air and interior works by Peter Brown ROI NEAC; the ceramics of multi-award winning potter Phil Rogers; the magical tempera landscapes of Helen Clapcott; and two electric abstracts from one of Britain's most important exponents of abstract art: Sir Terry Frost RA. -
The Northern Boys
An exhibition celebrating plein air painting 6 - 21 Apr 2019Have you looked out from a Manchester tram to see a figure before an easel, stooped under an umbrella, painting furiously in the driving rain? Chances are, you’ve seen one of The Northern Boys — the distinguished outdoor painting group — nine of the North’s finest plein air painters, dedicated...Read more -
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea
6 - 10 Mar 2019We'll be at the The Affordable Art Fair, UK next month for our first ever fair outside of Manchester. If you live in or near London, or just happen to be in the capital between 6 - 10 March, get in touch and we can provide you with a complimentary...Read more
FAQs
Art was part of my life from an early age. My mum enjoyed art and we had her artwork hung around the house. Art was my best subject at school and I thought about going to art school but my dad found me an opportunity at an engineering company. So for many years I only painted in my spare time. At 28 I was diagnosed with a brain tumour - this changed everything. After my op I was left with the loss of hearing on one side and difficulties with speech and swallowing. Looking in the mirror there was such a contrast between my face on the left and right I felt I had to paint my reflection and had the desperate need to create. Throughout the 1990’s I painted everyday. My technique is largely self taught. Eventually I decided to give up my Job and British Leyland and earn my living as a professional artist..
Ashcroft predominantly works with acrylics, oils, and mixed media. His choice of materials allows him to experiment with textures and depth, creating vibrant, layered compositions. His works often incorporate bold brushstrokes and experimental techniques to push the boundaries of traditional painting.
You can view Michael Ashcroft’s art at Contemporary Six, based in both in Hale and Manchester where they are dedicated to showcasing his dynamic and ever-evolving body of work. Contemporary Six offers a space where his art is presented in its full vibrancy, allowing visitors to experience his creative vision up close.
To purchase Michael Ashcroft’s art, you can visit Contemporary Six, where his works are displayed and available for acquisition. The gallery offers various pieces, allowing collectors and art enthusiasts the opportunity to engage with Ashcroft’s vibrant and dynamic works in different formats and sizes.
