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Top of our pick of exhibitions this month has to be Christina Quarles at The Hepworth Wakefield. The LA-based artist’s first solo presentation outside of America is well overdue given the richness of her bold and vibrantly coloured, post-Surrealist acrylic paintings – and the level of excitement surrounding them. Created in response to “the experience of living in a body rather than looking at a body” (Quarles), they tap into the complex, often messy and unfixed nature of identity in opposition to Western society’s still predominantly heteronormative ideas. The show runs alongside the gallery’s other major autumn/winter exhibition of 2019, Alan Davie & David Hockney: Early Works, making a trip over to Wakefield obligatory.
Back in Manchester, we’re looking forward to an exhibition at the city’s first public contemporary visual art gallery, 35 years after it was established. No Particular Place to Go? at Castlefield Gallery will feature work by 15 sculptors ranging from art historical giants, such as Sir Anthony Caro (Castlefield’s ‘Artist Patron’ until he passed in 2013), through to locally-based early and mid-career artists, like Nicola Ellis and James Ackerley. The show takes its point of departure from a quote by the Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke in response to visiting the studio of Auguste Rodin: “His works could not wait; they had to be made. He long foresaw their homelessness” (1910).
Marking another important anniversary, British Ceramics Biennial in Stoke-on-Trent prepares to celebrate its 10th edition with its most ambitious programme of exhibitions, installations and events yet, featuring work by over 300 contemporary artists and spanning six unique locations. Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair is also back, with a handpicked selection of over 160 designer-makers from across the UK, and Creative Tourist Cultural Calendar highlights Manchester Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary return for three characteristically whirlwind days of modern and contemporary art from across the UK and Europe.
Here are our picks
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1. Christina Quarles at The Hepworth Wakefield
For a Flaw / For a Fall / For the End, 2018. Courtesy of the artist and Pilar Corrias Gallery, London. Photo: Damian Griffiths Christina Quarles at The Hepworth Wakefield, 19 October 2019–19 January 2020, free entry - Find Out More
Marking her first European solo exhibition, Christina Quarles at The Hepworth Wakefield offers an incredible window onto the inner world of the LA-based artist.
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2. No Particular Place to Go? 35 Years of Sculpture at Castlefield Gallery
Hilary Jack, Turquoise Bag in a Tree, 2016 No Particular Place to Go? 35 years of sculpture at Castlefield Gallery at Castlefield Gallery, Castlefield, 6 September–27 October 2019, free entry - Find Out More
35 years and still going strong. Castlefield – Manchester’s first public contemporary visual art gallery – looks back on its continuing legacy through the prism of sculpture.
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3. British Ceramics Biennial in Stoke-on-Trent
Courtesy of British Ceramics Biennial British Ceramics Biennial 2019 at The China Hall, Old Spode Works, Stoke-on-Trent, 7 September–13 October 2019, free entry - Find Out More
British Ceramics Biennial prepares to celebrate its 10th-anniversary edition this autumn with a special, expanded programme of exhibitions, installations and events featuring over 300 contemporary artists.
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4. Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2019 at Upper Campfield Market
Courtesy of Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at Upper Campfield Market Hall, Castlefield, 10–13 October 2019, from £5.50 - Book now
Put down the Urban Outfitters earrings and step away from the Ikea lamp; the award-winning Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair is back for its 12th edition, and we can’t wait to slip through its doors.
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5. Manchester Art Fair 2019 at Manchester Central
The Manchester Art Fair Manchester Art Fair 2019 at Manchester Central Convention Centre, City Centre, 11–13 October 2019, from £5 - Book now
A firm favourite in Manchester’s cultural calendar, the Manchester Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary weekend is not to be missed.
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6. The Sun at the Science and Industry Museum
Science Museum Group The Sun at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 20 July 2019–5 January 2020, from £6 - Book now
Museum of Science and Industry’s blockbuster summer exhibition, The Sun, sets out to bring us as close to the star as many of us are likely to ever come.
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7. Future Cities: Technopolis & Everyday Life at Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art
Future Cities - Lawrence Lek, PyramidSchemes Future Cities: Technolpolis & Everyday Life at Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, Manchester, 2 August–19 October 2019, free entry - Visit now
How is the Digital Revolution affecting the future of our cities? A new season of exhibitions and events at CFCCA explores.
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8. Maddi Nicholson: a place lived at Hardman Square in Spinningfields
Maddi Nicholson, a place lived, 2018 a place lived By Maddi Nicholson at Spinningfields, Manchester, 20 July 2019–20 July 2020, free entry - Visit now
‘a place lived’ by Maddi Nicholson is a new public artwork that delves into the near-forgotten history of Manchester’s thriving financial district.
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9. Expect the Unexpected: A Chance Exhibition at the Lowry
Yoko Ono FLY 1970 Directed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono Color, mono Dur: 24 min © 1970 Yoko Ono -
10. British Textile Biennial 2019, across Pennine Lancashire
British Textile Biennial at Northlight (Brierfield) Mill in Pendle, 3 October–3 November 2019, free entry - Find Out More
The inaugural edition of the British Textile Biennial opens this winter with a series of new art commissions, exhibitions and performances.
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11. Keith Haring at Tate Liverpool
Keith Haring, Untitled (1983), woodcut. Collection of the Keith Haring Foundation. Courtesy of Tate Liverpool Keith Haring at Tate Liverpool, Waterfront, 14 June–10 November 2019, from £12.5 - Book now
Featuring more than 70 artworks, Tate Liverpool presents the first major UK exhibition of work by the legendary New York artist and activist Keith Haring.
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12. 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, free entry - Visit now
Curated with support from award-winning journalist Iona Craig, Yemen: Inside a Crisis at Imperial War Museum North offers a powerful look at one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
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13. Yorkshire Sculpture International 2019
Yorkshire Sculpture International 2019 Yorkshire Sculpture International 2019 at The Hepworth Wakefield, 22 June–29 September 2019, free entry - Visit now
Billed as the UK’s largest dedicated sculpture festival, the inaugural edition of Yorkshire Sculpture International seems rich in promise.
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14. Unearthing Passion and Protest Exhibition at Manchester Central Library
(c)Winters Surman Unearthing passion and protest at Manchester Central Library at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, 6 July–29 September 2019, free entry - Visit now
Join the artist family who’ve created new work for Dunham Massey and Quarry Bank for a day of marching, making and drumming at Central Library.
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15. Child Labour: Hidden Stories of Cumbria at Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry
Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry Child Labour: Hidden Stories of Cumbria at Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry, Cumbria, 18 May–28 September 2019, from £5 - Visit now
Providing a rare insight into the history of child labour in Cumbria, this eye-opening exhibition at Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry is not to be missed.
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16. Things to do in the Lakes this Summer
Courtesy of Lakeland Arts , 15 February–15 October 2019, free entry
Not only one of Britain’s most picturesque national parks, the Lake District is also brimming with culture. Here’s what not miss this summer.
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17. Glorious Phantoms at Dunham Massey
©National Trust/Megan Taylor Unearthing passion and protest at Dunham Massey at Dunham Massey, 13 July–29 September 2019, admission charges apply - Visit now
Over the summer Dunham Massey will host two new works of art relating to the Peterloo Massacre. Two films that feature themes of rights, social change and responsibility will be shown on a regular basis thought July, August and September.
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18. Auto – Destruct at Cross Lane Projects, Cumbria
Jay Price Auto - Destruct at Cross Lane Projects, Cumbria, 29 June–31 August 2019, free entry - Visit now
Cross Lane Projects prepares to launch its summer exhibition, Auto-Destruct, inspired by the ideas of celebrated artist and activist Gustav Metzger.
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19. Pears & Apples – The Botanical Illustrations of Elisabeth Dowle at Cannon Hall Museum Park & Gardens
Pears & Apples – The Botanical Illustrations of Elisabeth Dowle at Cannon Hall Museum Park & Gardens, Barnsley, 25 May–3 November 2019, free entry - Visit now
Cannon Hall’s historic pear collection and a new exhibition of work by renowned botanical artist Elisabeth Dowle makes for a perfect – and prescient – pairing.
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Has the Kettle’s Yard of the north arrived? The Weavers Factory is a brand new art space in Greater Manchester with an intriguing story behind it.
More in Exhibitions
And Breathe… at Manchester Art Gallery
Exploring the relationship between art and mindfulness And Breathe… is an exhibition of artworks from Manchester Art Gallery’s collection that explores the relationship between art, positive mental health and wellbeing.
Nordic Craft and Design at Manchester Art Gallery
Showcasing furniture, fashion, lighting, ceramics, glass, metalwork and jewellery, Nordic Craft and Design at Manchester Art Gallery highlights the superb quality and creativity inherent in design from the region and features pieces from 1930 to the present day.
Whitworth Art Gallery Daily Tour
Take a closer look at some of the Whitworth Art Gallery’s collection while gaining a better understanding of the context in which the pieces were created. The free tours run daily from 2 pm.
Manchester Art Gallery Highlights Tour
Take a tour around select artworks from Manchester Art Gallery’s collection. Lead by different guides every day, each tour is personal to their taste. Tours start at 2 pm from Thursday to Sunday.
Rocket Returns to the Science and Industry Museum
Make tracks for Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum. A one-in-a-lifetime chance to see Stephenson’s Rocket return to the site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway for the first time in over 180 years.
Liverpool Biennial Northern England Tour
Whether Liverpool Biennial 2018 passed you by or you diligently ticked-off every last one of its multiple offerings (if so; bravo), the Liverpool Biennial Northern England Tour seems unlikely to disappoint.
A World Inside a Book: Gruffalo, Dragons and Other Creatures at Z-arts
The UK’s first immersive exhibition of the much-loved tales of Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler. Expect enchanting forests, miniature towns and watery worlds.
Developing History at the Hardmans’ House
As one of Liverpool’s lesser known gems prepares to reopen its doors for 2019, we look forward to encountering a rare series of photographs only recently discovered by chance in the cluttered darkroom of the Hardmans’ former, perfectly-preserved home.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh: making the Glasgow Style at Walker Art Gallery
Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool present one of the blockbuster exhibitions of 2019, dedicated to the life and work of the Glaswegian artist, architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh – father of the UK’s part in the international Art Nouveau movement.
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