At the end of July, well known professional artist from Ainsdale, Neil Prior, will be returning to The ArtHouse in Southport for his third solo exhibition.
Following on from the success of his 2024 exhibition, ‘Behind the Curtain’, Neil has spent over ten months creating what promises to be an intriguing new showcase for his artistic talent: “The Art Detective”.
Originally from Christchurch in Dorset, Neil relocated into the area with his wife, Martha and their two Bedlington Terriers, Bruce and Herbert, who equally stepped into the limelight by making local news back in 2019 due to eating palm oil that had washed up on Ainsdale Beach from the Maltese ship, Kimya, that capsized nearly 30 years ago after storms dislodged its toxic cargo.
Having retired from full service as a police officer with the Leicestershire constabulary in 2018, Neil has now finally swapped his truncheon for his paintbrush, and evolved his life-long love of oil painting into a professional business.
Unbelievably, Neil only began painting in 2008, after attending a one-day workshop on how to paint in the Bob Ross Wet-on-Wet Oil Painting technique facilitated by Jayne Good, which he quickly followed up with a further weekend course with professional Fine Artist, Mike Skidmore.
Over the years, Neil’s gregarious attitude to art has seen him expand his repertoire across a diverse range of subjects: “I started using oils in 2012 and offered bespoke commissions over a variety of subjects from landscapes, seascapes, portraiture, still life, wildlife and nature and lately, abstract works. I registered as a self employed business in November 2019 continuing to paint commissions and exhibit in local galleries.”
Neil is always enjoys seeking new challenges and “The Art Detective” offers a further insight into his creative output.
Presented as an interactive exhibition, visitors are invited to step into the role of detective, exploring a series of nine compositions inspired by the vintage board game Cluedo. Each artwork centres around the familiar elements of nine murder rooms, six weapons and six characters – all of whom may be suspects or victims. Viewers to the exhibition will be challenged to use their own powers of observation and deduction to unravel the mystery woven into each painting.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Neil pays homage to the legendary Italian painter of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Caravaggio, by embedding references to the great master’s own iconic works within each composition. Art enthusiasts are invited to spot these subtle nods throughout the exhibition.
As Sherlock Holmes famously declared: “The game’s afoot!”
The Art Detective will be on display 29th July– 16th August 2025 at The ArtHouse, 65 Eastbank Street, Tues thro Fri 10.00 – 15.00 and Sat 11.00 – 16.00. Neil will be available for informal “Meet the Artist” sessions on each Tuesday during the exhibition from 12.00 to 3pm.
