Yemen: Inside a Crisis at Imperial War Museum North

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor
Yemen: Inside a Crisis at Imperial War Museum North
© Giles Clarke for UN/OCHA, 2017

Yemen: Inside a Crisis - IWM North at Imperial War Museum North (IWM North), Manchester 17 May 2019 — 26 January 2020 Entrance is free

Despite receiving relatively little coverage in the British and international media, the civil war that has raged in Yemen since 2015 has led what the UN describes as the “world’s worst” humanitarian crisis. The situation has left as many as 10,000 dead and an estimated 80% of the country’s men, women and children in desperate need of assistance. At least 8.4 million Yemenis are facing starvation in what could be the “worst famine seen anywhere in the world for 100 years” (UN), while the virtual collapse of the country’s healthcare system has resulted in the world’s largest cholera outbreak, killing thousands. Systematic torture is carried out in Houthi jails and by UAE officials across a network of secret prisons.

the UK’s first exhibition to address the on-going conflict and realities of life inside the country

Remarkably, Yemen: Inside a Crisis at Imperial War Museum North (open now and showing until January 2020) is billed as the UK’s first exhibition to address the on-going conflict and realities of life inside the country. Examining both the historic roots and more recent conditions created in the wake of the Arab Spring in 2011 that sparked the war, alongside other factors such as Britain’s complex involvement and the political turmoil of the wider Arab region, the exhibition will provide a vital introduction to what’s going on. But it will also focus on the personal stories and lived experiences of Yemenis citizens, and present a collection of around 50 objects and photographs relating to the crisis.

The exhibition is also accompanied by a series of new commissions, including Yemen: Say hello to connect – a travelling interactive digital artwork and activity hub created by FutureEverything that uses touch and voice-activated technology to highlight issues addressed in the exhibition; and Devoured (2019) – an installation by Yemeni street artist Murad Subay that seeks to metaphorically depict the state of physical and psychological suffering among the Yemeni population.

the civil war that has raged in Yemen since 2015 has led what the UN describes as the “world’s worst” humanitarian crisis

Yemen: Inside a Crisis has been curated with the support of Lead Advisor Iona Craig, an award-winning journalist who was based in Sanaa between 2010 and 2015 as Yemen correspondent for The Times. It forms part of IWM’s Conflict Now strand of programming, which features opinions of individuals who have seen, experienced and worked in areas of conflict.

Yemen: Inside a Crisis - IWM North at Imperial War Museum North (IWM North), Manchester 17 May 2019 — 26 January 2020 Entrance is free

Where to go near Yemen: Inside a Crisis at Imperial War Museum North

Manchester
Shopping Centre
Lowry Outlet Mall

The Lowry Outlet Mall in The Quays district of Manchester sits opposite both The Lowry and MediaCityUK, Europe’s largest media hub and the home of BBC North.

Manchester
Gallery
Irwell Sculpture Trail

The 33-mile trail, which follows the River Irwell from Salford Quays all the way to Bacup in Pennine Lancashire, has been around for over a decade, but it’s recently been restored and expanded.

The Lowry Theatre and Gallery in Salford Quays Manchester.
Salford
Theatre
Lowry

With two theatres, galleries and a studio space, award-winning Quayside arts centre The Lowry combines the performing and visual arts to impressive effect.

The Quays
Restaurant
The Alchemist Mediacity

The latest offering from the UK-conquering Alchemist has an energetic vibe similar to others in this highly-regarded chain of restaurants.

Salford
Uswim
at Salford Quays

Jump into waters of dock 9 at Salford Quays with Uswim, they bring the benefits and freedom of open water swimming to the convenience of a central location.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Central Bay

Central Bay is a new waterfront dining and drinking destination at Quayside MediaCity, opening summer 2023.

MediaCityUK
Café or Coffee Shop
Blanconero

High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

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

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.

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.

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.

The Super Duper Family Festival
Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

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.