In the heart of Stockport, a town often overshadowed by its more celebrated neighbors, lies an unassuming car park that has become the muse for an extraordinary artistic journey. For artist Alison Waters, the Merseyway car park is more than just a functional structure; it is a symbol of the town's complex architectural heritage and a canvas for her latest collection of ceramics. Displayed at the Modernist Society gallery in Manchester, Waters' exhibition is a testament to the beauty that can be found in the most unexpected places.

The Unlikely Muse: Merseyway Car Park

The Merseyway car park, designed by architect Alan Boyson, is a modernist structure that has long been a part of Stockport's urban landscape. Its most distinctive feature is a concrete screen wall adorned with cut-out holes, creating a unique visual experience for those who pass by. For many residents, this structure represents the less-loved aspects of Stockport's architecture—a stark contrast to the town's beloved Victorian buildings. However, for Alison Waters, it is a source of inspiration.

Waters describes the modernist structure as embodying "what people don't like about Stockport." Yet, she sees beyond its utilitarian appearance, finding beauty in its intricate design and the way it frames the town's diverse architectural styles. Her exhibition, a collection of ceramics inspired by the views through Boyson's screen, aims to challenge perceptions and invite viewers to see Stockport through a new lens.

A Love Letter to Stockport

Alison Waters' ceramics are more than just artworks; they are a love letter to a town that has often been overlooked. Growing up in Stockport, Waters moved to Manchester as an adult, but her connection to the town remained strong. Returning to Stockport, she set out on a personal quest to find the beauty in a place that many considered unremarkable.

Her journey began with the Merseyway car park, a structure that had been a constant in her life since childhood. "As teenagers, you would park up in the car park or go shopping in the Merseyway, so the screen was a constant in everyone's lives," she recalls. Despite its ubiquity, few appreciated its aesthetic value. Waters, however, saw potential in its modernist design and the way it interacted with the surrounding architecture.

The ceramics in her exhibition capture the essence of Stockport's urban landscape, showcasing the town's architectural heritage through the gaps in Boyson's screen. "It was like looking onto a miniature landscape, a snapshot of the town's architectural heritage, with Victorian, brutalist, and contemporary buildings all contained within a modernist shape," she explains. Each piece is a testament to the town's rich history and the coexistence of different architectural styles.

The Role of Modernist Architecture

Modernist architecture, often maligned for its perceived coldness and lack of charm, plays a central role in Waters' exhibition. The Merseyway car park, with its concrete screen and functional design, is a prime example of this style. Waters acknowledges that many people struggle to appreciate modernist structures, but she believes they are an integral part of Stockport's identity.

The town's architectural landscape is a mix of old and new, with Victorian buildings standing alongside modernist and brutalist structures. This juxtaposition creates a unique visual experience that Waters finds fascinating. Her ceramics aim to capture the beauty of this urban landscape, highlighting the harmony between different architectural styles.

By focusing on the Merseyway car park, Waters hopes to change the way people perceive modernist architecture. She sees it not as a blight on the town but as a symbol of its resilience and adaptability. The car park, built as part of the original Merseyway development in 1965, has stood the test of time, becoming a backdrop to the lives of countless Stockport residents.

The Power of Art to Transform Perception

Alison Waters' exhibition is a powerful reminder of the role art can play in transforming our perceptions of the world around us. By highlighting the beauty in an often-overlooked structure, she invites viewers to see Stockport in a new light. Her ceramics are not just decorative pieces; they are a commentary on the town's architectural heritage and a celebration of its diversity.

The exhibition also features a collection of photographs taken by Waters' nephew, Dylan Barker. These images provide an additional layer of context, capturing the car park and its surroundings from different angles and perspectives. Together, the ceramics and photographs create a rich tapestry that tells the story of Stockport's urban landscape.

Waters' personal journey of rediscovering her hometown is at the heart of the exhibition. She describes Stockport as a place that felt "a bit grim" in her youth, due to a lack of investment and maintenance. However, her return to the town inspired her to look beyond its surface and find the beauty hidden within. Through her art, she hopes to inspire others to do the same.

Conclusion: A New Perspective on Stockport

Alison Waters' exhibition at the Modernist Society gallery is more than just a showcase of beautiful ceramics; it is a profound exploration of identity, perception, and the power of art to transform. By focusing on the Merseyway car park, a structure often dismissed as unremarkable, she challenges viewers to see the beauty in the everyday and the overlooked.

Her ceramics capture the essence of Stockport's architectural heritage, highlighting the coexistence of different styles and the unique visual experience they create. Through her art, Waters invites viewers to look beyond the surface and appreciate the town's complex history and diverse architectural landscape.

In a world where beauty is often found in the obvious, Waters' exhibition reminds us that true art lies in the ability to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. Her love letter to Stockport is a testament to the power of art to change perceptions and inspire new ways of seeing. As viewers leave the gallery, they carry with them not just admiration for Waters' ceramics but a renewed appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us, even in the most unexpected places.