Andrew Cheetham

Andrew Cheetham was born in Heywood, Lancashire, in 1971 and trained at Liverpool John Moores University and St Martin's College of Art. He lives and works in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, where he has a studio in one of the baiting sheds on the harbour. He has been painting the sea and documenting this coastline since 2000.

He has won several awards, including the ‘Discerning Eye’ drawing bursary, and has been featured in several publications - Facing North, Country Living magazine and Inspired by Heritage. In 2009, he was artist in residence at Rosedale Abbey on the North York Moors.

Andrew's work can be found in the collections of Scarborough Art Gallery, the Mercer Art Gallery, and Lord and Lady Derwent. He has featured in several solo and group exhibitions.

Andrew says: "My artwork could be described as documentary, in that I prefer to work from life. In the past I have focused on former centres of industry and commerce - derelict warehouses, burned out churches and disused railway lines. I began documenting Scarborough’s fishing industry in 2000, and after making enquiries to the Harbour Master, I converted an empty baiting shed on the harbour’s West Pier into a studio. During this time I have witnessed the decline of fishing fleets, with owners selling boats and gear. Whilst at first the fishermen were wary of me - they are now used to me drawing them at work and I have accompanied them out on their boats. Throughout this time the sea has been a constant in my work. Constantly changing, constantly inspiring."