Empty food shop turned art gallery

The empty Jack Fulton’s shop in Commercial Street will be used as a make-shift gallery to showcase the work of artist Ian Walsh.

Mr Walsh, a former Batley Grammar School pupil, will have seven pieces of his work on display.

The display is part of the Batley Empty Shops Initiative, which aims to make Batley’s shopping area more attractive by showcasing art in empty shop units.

Mr Walsh, who lives in Staincliffe, will also have some of his work on display at Reunion Cafe in Branch Road.

Most of his artwork - large format digital prints - were created in studios at Mirfield’s Creative Arts Hub.

Mr Walsh said: “I’m interested in rapid, hastily executed sketches which often have an almost throwaway quality, yet they can often hold a wealth of meaning.

“I use a palette of hundreds of photographic images, creating textures and overlays. I use mainly digital media and make compositions with differing perspectives and fragmentation.  Often the colours are selected by random means.”

The scheme is being run by Creative Arts Hub, Batley Business Association and Batley Art Gallery,

Mr Walsh’s work will remain on display in the empty shop unit throughout March and April.

Anyone interested in displaying their work in the shop units should email Mark Milnes at [email protected]