UrbanArtistry Presents… Next: A Primer on Urban Painting at Cultplex

Tom Grieve, Contributing Writer

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UrbanArtistry Presents... A 20th Anniversary screening of Next: A Primer on Urban Painting

Cultplex, Manchester
19 February 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Pablo Aravena/ Next
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This February, street art film specialists UrbanArtistry are back with a with a special 20th anniversary Q&A screening of Next: A Primer on Urban Painting. Taking audiences from the USA and Canada, to France, Germany, England, Spain, Japan and Brazil, this jet setting documentary introduces painters, “writers”, designers and members of the global street art community who show us their work and illustrate modern graffiti’s evolution from its inception in ’70s Brooklyn.

Made at the start of the digital revolution, Aravena shot his film on a combination of digital video, Super-16 and 35mm, borrowing equipment and using patchwork funding to assemble a collage of footage into a film that’s as free and dynamic as the work of his subjects. The director will be at Cultplex to answer your questions and discuss the five years it took to make the film, and his experience spending time with urban artists from across the world.

Aravena has cited influences from Mike Leigh to Harmony Korine to Martin Scorsese in the past, and his film Chile Estyle, which focussed more specifically on the director’s native Chile, also played as part of UrbanArtistry’s ongoing series of street art screenings. In addition to a Q&A following Next: A Primer on Urban Painting, Aravena is also bringing along some extra bonus footage for audiences to enjoy, and as always, make sure you get down to Cultplex early for food, drink and conversation at host venue Grub from 6pm.

Where to go near UrbanArtistry Presents… Next: A Primer on Urban Painting at Cultplex

Cheetham Hill
Restaurant
Osaka Local

Wonderful Japanese street food vendor, often found at Grub and other street food events in and around Manchester and the North.

tours and activities guide
Cheetham Hill
Manchester Three Rivers Gin Distillery

Join the Gin renaissance with Manchester Three Rivers, a gin distillery situated in the heart of the Green Quarter making some fantastic gin as well as inviting people to get up close to the distillation process.

Manchester
Restaurant
Fairfield Social Club

Fairfield Social Club is a multi-purpose site next to Angel Meadows Park in the Green Quarter, ran by the team behind the much-loved Grub,.

Popup Bikes
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Popup Bikes

Independently-run coffee shop and bike repair shop on the edge of the Green Quarter in Manchester.

Manchester
Event venue
Partisan

Partisan is a Manchester-based collective and volunteer-run space for independent, community led, DIY and cultural based projects. They have two floors for events, meetings, office space, live music, club nights, and art.

Salford
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1520 Studios

1520 Studios is bigger than a film and photography studio, also functioning as an event space and community hub.

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The Yard

New creative hub The Yard is home to a great little music venue, which tends to attract future-leaning electronic artists.

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Sadler’s Cat

The Pilcrow is now Sadler’s Cat, a contemporary community pub at the heart of the NOMA neighbourhood. Overlooking Sadler’s Yard.

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