Idris Khan at the Whitworth

Polly Checkland Harding
Idris Khan, Stamps. Copyright the artist.

Idris Khan at The Whitworth, Manchester 14 October 2016 — 19 March 2017 Entrance is free

Contemporary British artist Idris Khan returns to the Whitworth for a solo exhibition of painting, drawing and photography, which will showcase a number of the London-based artist’s seminal works. Khan first became known for his photography-based pieces, in which he digitally overlapped all of Constable’s paintings, the staves from each of Chopin’s Nocturnes or every page in the Quran. His subsequent work has continued to explore a fascination with memory and cumulative experience, frequently using text, printing and painting to achieve the metaphysical collapse of time into a single moment.

On display here will be Eternal Movement (2011), originally commissioned for Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Beginning or End (2013), made with black gesso and ink, and Death of Painting (2014), a series of five oil paintings on paper. Khan will also be creating a monumental new wall drawing in the gallery space. Drawing inspiration from the history of art, music, philosophy and theology, Khan’s artworks act as palimpsests – displaying both literal layering as well as an archaeology of meaning.

Idris Khan at The Whitworth, Manchester 14 October 2016 — 19 March 2017 Entrance is free

What's on at The Whitworth

Where to go near Idris Khan at the Whitworth

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Big Hands

Big Hands is the one-time haunt of legendary Manchester band Elbow; it’s shabby, loud and dark, with a jukebox and excellent roof terrace.

The Giving Tree
Manchester
Restaurant
The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree is a cafe and community hub based in Rusholme, a short walk from the city centre.

Pankhurst Centre
Manchester
Museum
The Pankhurst Centre

The Pankhurst Centre houses a small museum and heritage centre that remains as a legacy to the Pankhurst family and the Suffragette movement born in this city.

Manchester
Music venue
Manchester Academy 3

Brilliant venue for catching a touring band on the rise. The boringly titled Academy 3 or more interesting Hop and Grape, as it was once known, is a self contained…

Cafe at the Museum
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
The Cafe
at the Museum

Manchester Museum’s cafe is run by the people behind award-winning cafe Teacup Kitchen. The menu features home-baked cakes, the finest loose leaf teas and breakfast, as well as a wide selection of mains and meals for kids.

Manchester Academy music venue on Oxford Road Manchester.
Manchester
Music venue
Manchester Academy

The Manchester Academy is a mid size, modern warehouse venue adjacent to the University of Manchester Students’ Union. It lacks any architectural merit and has always been a difficult place…

Whitworth Park, Manchester
Manchester
Park
Whitworth Park

This 18-acre park opposite the Manchester Royal Infirmary provides a welcome patch of green in an otherwise densely populated and heavily used part of the city.

What's on: Exhibitions

Wolf in Yellowstone
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
Wild at Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum explores the concept of ‘wild’ nature as a means of tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis in a new exhibition.

free entry

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.

Poet Evan Jones
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.