Gala – An online exhibition in support of Victoria Baths
Ben Williams, Managing Editor
A collective of seven Manchester artists are taking their Gala exhibition online in support of Victoria Baths #BacktheBaths Crowdfunder appeal.
Organised by Dez Rez Projects, a DIY artist-led pop-up gallery and project space on Instagram, the artists have been responding to the theme of Victoria Baths and the social history, design and decorative aesthetics of this Edwardian icon.
Originally intended to be exhibited at The Baths itself, this new work from Manchester-based artists Nancy Collantine, Aarti Pandey, Sophie Nixon, Kevin Boardman, Donna Wood, Patrick O’Donnell and Suzanne Bethell includes painting, sculpture, film and drawing as well as filmed talks, crit and conversations by the artists.
15% of all sales of their work will go to Victoria Baths to help the organisation stay afloat during the coronavirus outbreak. Every donation over £1 unlocks one of six printable downloads by each of the artists, and the first six people to donate over £100 will receive a limited-edition print or original work on paper.
Alongside a gallery of new works, the artists will be taking viewers on tours of their temporary home studios in which they are creating work during isolation, sharing their processes and developing their work over the course of the week, and possibly beyond, on Instagram.
At a time where being an artist is even more financially perilous than usual, it’s fantastic to see work being donated to support one of Manchester’s most precious heritage sites. Well done all involved.
