Trading Station: how hot drinks shape our lives at Manchester Art Gallery

Trading Station: how hot drinks shape our lives at Manchester Art Gallery, Chinatown, 14 2019–14 December 2021, free entry - Visit now

Trading Station at Manchester Art Gallery explores the changing social use of tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Hot drinks, once expensive luxuries for the few, have enriched our lives, promoted the exchange of ideas and influenced the design of our homes. The exhibition traces the history of how these drinks arrived in the UK, revealing their global histories, connections to slavery and colonisation, and contemporary ethical issues. Spanning six centuries and ranging from silver, porcelain, glass, fashion, lighting, prints and painting, this showcase of exquisite and utilitarian objects asks probing questions and uncovers hidden histories.