How the haunting painting "Famine" fed a young boy's soul

Aged six a boy went on trip to Salford Museum and Art Gallery with his mum and dad. He was mesmerised by a haunting painting called Famine by the English painter, John Charles Dollman.

Dating from 1904 the work is interpreted by some as literally starvation of the human body with a figure of death surrounded by hungry wolves. The artist, however, wanted it to portray a famine of the human spirit or the demise of the soul after its neglect.

The child was Andrew Alan Matthews and the work would sow a seed of creativity. Today, nearly 50 years later, (Saturday) an exhibition of his art is opening at the same museum on The Crescent. The work which inspired him remains as part of the permanent collection in the Victorian Gallery.

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Andrew's achievement is a testimony to his own human spirit which has overcome tough times. Mental health issues almost destroyed his career and life - but through art, the support of his family, and medication he has survived and thrived.

Twenty-one of his paintings will be in a show at The Park Gallery, a space within the main museum. They depict Salford and Manchester by night including The Lower Turks Head, at Shudehill, Salford Quays and The Imperial War Museum.

The 55-year-old from Northern Moor is gaining worldwide popularity and brings his art alive with the addition of poetry and storytelling. Born in Winsford, Cheshire, his family later moved to Moss Side where he grew up during the 70s and 80s. He then lived in Salford for 18 years.

Seeing "Famine" was in this moment that he knew he wanted to become an artist. The family were living in Moss Side at the time and his parents, his father a bus