Newsroom University of Manchester

Investigations in Black Representation: with contribution from Art History and Cultural Practices lecturer

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 14:04:09 +0100

Being Here is the first major solo exhibition from artist Barbara Walker. Charting the engagement with figuration and portraiture since the 1990s, the exhibition opened at the Whitworth Art Gallery in October 2024.

Alice Correia, our Lecturer in Modern and Contemporary Art History, has contributed an essay to the catalogue accompanying the exhibition, in which she positions Walker’s work with narratives of British art in the 1990s.

Alice addresses the ways in which Walker and other artists of colour were often overlooked and excluded from the hype of 1990s BritArt. Correia discusses how Walker’s work is driven by extensive research, during which the artist excavates and engages with the histories of Black representation in art history and the contemporary news media.

Alice took a group of First Year Art History students to the Whitworth to consider Walker’s use of drawing as a method for contesting racist stereotyping, and the group was fortunate to have a special introduction to Walker’s work by the exhibition’s curator Hannah Vollum, in the Whitworth’s 91ֱ�� Centre.

Edward Wouk, Head of Art History and Cultural Practices (AHCP) said:

Further information

Barbara Walker was born in Birmingham, England, in 1964. She studied at the University of Central England, Birmingham, and completed post-graduate studies at Wolverhampton University. Her work is informed by the social, political and cultural realities that affect her life and the lives of those around her.

Growing up in Birmingham, her experiences have directly shaped a practice concerned with issues of class and power, gender, race, representation and belonging. Her figurative drawings and paintings tell contemporary stories hinged on historical circumstances, making them universally understood and reflecting a human perspective on the state of affairs in her native Britain and elsewhere.

In 2023 Walker was elected to the Royal Academy of Arts and shortlisted for the Turner Prize.

Walker's show at the Whitworth is her first major retrospective exhibition in the UK.

MA Library & Archive Studies Receives Highly Commended Award

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 16:09:46 +0100

As part of the Faculty of Humanities’ Outstanding Staff Awards for Teaching, Learning, and Student Experience, this recognition highlights programmes that have not only met but exceeded students' expectations, thanks to inspiring, motivating, and innovative teaching teams.

Launched in September 2023, the MA Library and Archive Studies has already made a significant impact by offering a curriculum that blends academic excellence with practical insights into the evolving field of library and archive management.

Student feedback played a crucial role in this recognition, with nominations highlighting the programme's commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment, encouraging students to push their boundaries, and promoting critical thinking.

Speaking ahead of the award, Programme Director Benjamin Wiggins expressed his gratitude, saying:

Kenneth Atuma, another academic actively contributing to the programme’s development, also said:

The Faculty awards panel reviewed numerous student nominations across various categories, and the programme’s recognition stands as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the teaching staff, who have consistently delivered a high-quality educational experience.

The official awards event will take place on Wednesday, 6 November 2024, at Christie’s Bistro, where this outstanding achievement will be formally celebrated.

Exhibition explores the untold stories of teenage girls in 1960s Britain

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 17:02:05 +0000

Teenage Kicks, a captivating new art exhibition based on University of Manchester research, unveils the vibrant and dynamic lives of eight young women who navigated the turbulent cultural landscape of 1960s Britain.

The exhibition will run until Saturday 18 May at and .

The inspiration behind Teenage Kicks is research conducted by , Professor of Sociology and History at The University of Manchester, whose work sheds light on the youth experiences of women born between 1939 and 1952 in Britain.

During this period, societal norms shifted dramatically, affecting all aspects of young women’s lives, and heralding greater acknowledgement that women were equal to men. This transformation was evidenced in a surge in female enrolment into further and higher education, women’s active participation in trade unions, and their inroads into a wide range of careers. Meanwhile, personal life was being reconfigured by the contraceptive pill and increased accessibility of divorce.

The stories of the eight young women have been brought to life through the detailed illustrations of Edinburgh-based Candice Purwin. Her illustrations explore their everyday lives as they navigate school, work and relationships against the backdrop of a Britain undergoing huge social and political change.

How these large societal changes impact on individual lives is a key theme of the work: while many of the girls leave school with more qualifications than earlier generations, they do not all have the same chance of a good career, financial security or family planning. Often, family responsibilities, societal expectations or difficult relationships with partners or parents mean that teenage dreams are cancelled, or put on hold.

Candice Purwin, the illustrator, animator and graphic novelist behind the Teenage Kicks exhibition, said: “Illustrating Teenage Kicks gave me a rare and unique opportunity to bring to life a deeply transformative period of British history for women and girls. The stories these eight women shared with us are rich in detail and experiences that deconstruct the teenage girl stereotype we are usually shown. I’m excited for the exhibition to bring this history to a wider audience and that we get to share the work in such an iconic space.”

Caroline Gausden, Development worker for Curating and Engagement at Glasgow Women’s Library, added: “Our mission at Glasgow Women’s Library is to celebrate the lives and achievements of women and champion their contribution to society, so Teenage Kicks is a great addition to our busy programme. This generation of women, has played – and is playing - a huge part in how Britain has changed since the Second World War. We hope that visitors of all ages enjoy the exhibition, whether or not they remember the sixties themselves!”

There will be a linked to the exhibition at Glasgow Women’s Library on 18 April 2024.

Teenage Kicks is part of The University of Manchester’s , and has been funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

91ֱ��’s Whitworth gallery announces internationally renowned new Director

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0100

The Whitworth, which is part of The University of Manchester, has today announced Sook-Kyung Lee as its new Director.

Lee will join from London’s , where she is a Senior Curator of International Art. Since 2019 she has led the ‘Hyundai Tate Research Centre: Transnational’, a major research initiative in partnership with Hyundai Motor, exploring new perspectives on global art histories. In 2021 she was also appointed Artistic Director of South Korea’s 14^th Gwangju Biennale, which opened in April 2023.

During her tenure at Tate Modern, Lee curated several major exhibitions and displays including Richard Bell: Embassy (2023), A Year in Art: Australia 1992 (2021-23), and Nam June Paik (2019-20), which went on to tour to Europe, USA and Asia. She also played an invaluable role in shaping Tate's international art collection strategy by leading such initiatives as Asia Pacific Acquisitions Committee and the co-acquisition programme with Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia, in partnership with the Qantas Foundation.

She will take up her role at the Whitworth in August 2023 and will become Honorary Professor of Transcultural Curating at the University.

Speaking about her forthcoming position as the Whitworth’s Director, Sook-Kyung Lee said: “It is a huge honour for me to take up the role of Director at the Whitworth, one of the most innovative and audience-focused art institutions in the UK and internationally. I have admired the Whitworth's commitment to work with local communities and to use art for positive social change. I would like to further develop the gallery in its artistic rigour and social impacts and to widen its global connections, along with the gallery's dedicated staff and The University of Manchester.”

The Whitworth operates as a convening space between the University and the people of the city. It was founded in 1889 as The Whitworth Institute and Park in memory of the industrialist Sir Joseph Whitworth for “the perpetual gratification of the people of Manchester” and continues this mission today in new contexts.

Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility at The University of Manchester said: “I am delighted that Sook-Kyung Lee is joining us as the new Director of the Whitworth art gallery and will take up the position as Honorary Professor of Transcultural Curating. There is a fantastic opportunity to build on the Whitworth’s international renown as a leading cultural institution, whilst working closely with the University, the city of Manchester, our community partners and other stakeholders to strengthen its current focus and explore new exciting directions for the future.”

In 2015 the gallery undertook a £17 million redevelopment by architects MUMA, which doubled the public space, creating new facilities to house the collection of over 65,000 works of art, textiles, and wallpaper. Along with expanded gallery spaces, a study centre, learning studio, and collections care centre, the gallery reconnected with its park, with communal gardens and outdoor programmes.

The Whitworth is home to exhibitions and projects which often represent and explore the experiences of our local and global communities. Currently the (Un)Defining Queer exhibition delves into the Whitworth's collection to examine how we can use a queer lens to define what the term 'queer’ means, co-led by an intersectional group of people who self-identify as LGBTQIA+.

Later this month, the gallery will showcase new project and exhibition Economics the Blockbuster presented as part of Manchester International Festival 2023. Economics the Blockbuster will explore how art and artists are shaping the economy and will include works by artists and artist groups based in the UK and internationally.

The gallery is driven by a mission to work with communities to use art for positive social change, and actively address what matters most in people’s lives. This new vision has been developed as part of an international dialogue about how to evolve and adapt museums to a constantly changing world. This work is underpinned by three key concepts: learning together, through making and doing; creating a place of care, consideration, and community; taking action.

Gallery opening times:

Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm, Thursday late opening until 9pm.

12 stunning murals which reveal a remarkable Victorian vision of Manchester

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 09:00:00 +0000

An Art History expert from The University of Manchester has written the first in-depth account of the story behind the twelve extraordinary murals in 91ֱ�� Town Hall, which he says reveal a remarkable Victorian vision of the city.

Ford Madox Brown spent 16 years creating the extraordinary works depicting the creation, development and success of Manchester in the Great Hall from 1878-93, but they were overlooked and semi-forgotten by the art world in the UK until the 1980s in part because academic and popular writers tended to focus on French art.

However, Senior Art History Lecturer Dr Colin Trodd says they are without doubt the most important public art works of their day, and the paintings are now the subject of his new book .

In the book, he explores the features that define the murals – subject matter, dynamic movement, and unusual combinations of seriousness and comedy. He also explains how Brown used historical and contemporary records to support his vision, as well as examining Brown’s difficult relationships with local politicians and civil servants, and looking at why Brown’s account of the development of Manchester appeals to modern viewers.

During his research, Dr Trodd discovered that Brown was an outspoken critic of industrialists, factory owners, and most local politicians and civil servants, and that he provided financial support for impoverished artists and unemployed workers despite not being wealthy himself.

He also found that Brown overcame personal tragedies at the time he was working on the project - his brilliantly gifted son died just before the commission, his wife became alcohol-dependent during the period he worked on the murals, and he had a stroke when they were almost completed.

“His murals transcend traditional models of history painting by focusing on the idea of human vitality. As Brown saw it, history painting should be an exercise in understanding how ordinary people interact with broader social forces and powers. The displays of exuberance in the murals confirm Brown's concern with the idea of human freedom - and what people do when confronted by representatives of the political establishment.”

Science and art collide to unveil a new piece of graphene artwork

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 10:51:47 +0100

Prospect Planes will be unveiled on Friday, 17 August as part of series of events at the in partnership with the National Graphene Institute and .

The fascinating video art project aims to shed light on graphene’s unique qualities and potential.

Providing a fascinating insight into scientific research into graphene, Prospect Planes began with a graphite drawing by Griffiths, symbolising the chemical element carbon.

This was replicated in graphene by Sir Kostya Novoselov, creating a microscopic 2D graphene version of Griffiths’ drawing just one atom thick and invisible to the naked eye.

They then used Raman spectroscopy to record a molecular fingerprint of the graphene image, using that fingerprint to map a digital visual representation of graphene’s unique qualities.

The six-part Hexagon Experiment series was inspired by the creativity of the Friday evening sessions that led to the isolation of graphene at The University of Manchester by Novoselov and .

Mary Griffiths, has previously worked on other graphene artworks including From Seathwaite- an installation in the National Graphene Institute, which depicts the story of graphite and graphene – its geography, geology and development in the North West of England.

Mary Griffiths, who is also Senior Curator at said: “Having previously worked alongside Kostya on other projects, I was aware of his passion for art. This has been a tremendously exciting and rewarding project, which will help people to better understand the unique qualities of graphene, while bringing 91ֱ��’s passion for collaboration and creativity across the arts, industry and science to life.

“In many ways, the story of the scientific research which led to the creation of Prospect Planes is as exciting as the artwork itself. By taking my pencil drawing and patterning it in 2D with a single layer of graphene atoms, then creating an animated digital work of art from the graphene data, we hope to provoke further conversations about the nature of the first 2D material and the potential benefits and purposes of graphene.”

Sir Kostya Novoselov said: “In this particular collaboration with Mary, we merged two existing concepts to develop a new platform, which can result in multiple art projects. I really hope that we will continue working together to develop this platform even further.”

The Hexagon Experiment is taking place just a few months before the official launch of the £60m , part of a major investment in 2D materials infrastructure across 91ֱ��, cementing its reputation as .

Prospect Planes was commissioned by 91ֱ��-based creative music charity Brighter Sound.

The Hexagon Experiment is part of – a three-year initiative to support, inspire and showcase women in music across the North of England, supported through .

Poet Laureate puts John Rylands Totem in pole position

Thu, 20 May 2010 01:00:00 +0100

Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy is to unveil an 11-metre high piece of public art at The University of Manchester’s world-famous John Rylands Library today (20 May).

The stained glass and metal sculpture was the judges’ top choice after wading through more than a hundred applications from across Britain, Europe and the United States last year.

Funded by the Oglesby Charitable Trust, the work - entitled Totem - can be seen by the Library’s new entrance wing, close to the original 1890s building famed for its gothic architecture.

The winning design, installed in January, came from artist Derek Hunt based at Limelight Studios in Leicestershire.

His work can be seen in churches, public buildings, theatres and shopping centres around the UK.

Derek Hunt said: “I am thrilled to be awarded such a prestigious commission.

“I wanted to create a sense of place with a glass installation which would embody the spirit of The John Rylands Library and celebrate its collections of rare books, manuscripts and archives.

“The design refers to some of the internationally famous collections, such as the St John’s Fragment, thought to be the earliest piece of New Testament in existence.”

Jan Wilkinson, University Librarian and Director of said she is delighted with the finished piece.

"Totem embodies a harmony of contemporary and traditional practice which responds both to the architecture of The John Rylands Library and to the outstanding collections housed within it.

“We are immensely grateful to for generously funding this project, which will make a lasting contribution to our visitors' experience of the building and its collections."

Michael Oglesby, Chairman of the Oglesby Charitable Trust, said: “The Oglesby Charitable Trust is committed to supporting the best of modern art in the North West.

“It would be difficult to imagine a more inspiring setting for any artwork than the atrium of the John Rylands Library.”

Notes for editors

Photo opportunities are available from noon at the John Rylands Library.

The John Rylands Library is part of The University of Manchester. The University Library's Special Collections are housed in the historic, Grade 1-listed John Rylands Library which reopened in 2007 after a major three-year restoration and development project. It is open to the public free of charge. Opening times: Mon 12.00-5.00, Tues-Sat 10.00-5.00, Sun 12.00-5.00. Visit www.manchester.ac.uk/library

The £16.8 million project was funded by £8.2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £3 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) plus generous contributions from The University of Manchester, trusts and foundations and businesses and individuals.

For enquiries contact:
Michelle Sharples
0161 306 1884
07974 711959
michelle.sharples@manchester.ac.uk
The John Rylands Library
The University of Manchester
150 Deansgate
91ֱ��
M3 3EH

and

Mike Addelman
Media Relations
The University of manchester
0161 275 0790
07717 881567
Michael.addelman@manchester.ac.uk