AN art exhibition illustrating ‘fleeting glimpses’ of people at Bolton’s railway station has opened at a gallery on one of the platforms.

Professional Bolton painter Phil Porter, 55, spent around a month last year in and around the station in his role as artist in residence.

The Platform 5 Gallery exhibition ‘Different Stations’, which opened this week, shows 11 oil paintings and dozens of drawings and sketches produced by Phil and curated by Julie Levy from Bolton Community Rail Partnership.

Platform 5, which opened last year, is a partner of Bolton University’s school of art and was conceived by the rail partnership. It is also supported by Northern, Network Rail, TransPennine Express and the Bolton station staff.

Phil, said: “It’s all based on people at the railway station. First of all I did rapid drawings and sketches and worked them up into larger paintings. The whole process took about a year.

“The paintings are all vertical, four foot high and two foot wide, so twice as tall as wide, which is a slightly unusual format.

“I tried different things but I eventually did it that way to accentuate the vertical nature of the figures. I basically tried to convey a fleeting glimpse of a figure. They are not literal static representations, that’s not the experience you get in a railway station.”

Phil was born in Bolton before being brought up in Ireland and returning in his 20s. He now lives in Horwich.

He said: “To be the first artist in residence at the Platform gallery is a great honour.

“The gallery is an incredible way for the university school of art to connect with the community.”

The exhibition complies with Covid 19 regulations. Viewing of the exhibition, which will run for an indefinite period is by appointment only at the moment.

Those wishing to arrange a viewing can contact Phil on 07342 673052 or email philporter114@gmail.com.