Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Have you ever visited an exhibition that also offers introductory wrestling workshops? If not, that’s all the more reason to head over to Site Gallery in Sheffield where Welsh artist Phoebe Davies’ first solo exhibition, Points of Rupture, explores how contact sports such as boxing and rugby can serve as sites of compassion, tenderness, touch and connection.
Over in Leeds, The High Dam at The Tetley explores the sense of ‘inherited nostalgia’ artist Emii Alrai feels for a place she has never visited before, as a result of growing up in Scotland as part of an Iraqi family. The show features a series of ‘invented artefacts’ of the Middle East presented in a display vessel based on the ‘demon lures’ used in Ancient Akkadian gravesites to trap and distract demons from pillaging graves, and spans outward into an incisive critique of western appropriation of cultural objects, artefact and language.
Another strong female solo show also opens at Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool. Amy Romer’s photographic series The Dark Figure* confronts visitors with the pervasive though often overlooked presence of modern slavery in the UK, revealing the issue to extend far beyond nail bars, carwash forecourts and factory floors, into residential settings and potentially even neighbouring homes.
Back in Manchester, Other Transmissions: Conversations with Outsider Art at the Whitworth explores the theme of ‘Outsider Art’ from the perspective of six learning disabled and non-learning disabled artists, raising a series of thought-provoking questions around labeling, categorisation and the power dynamics of the art world. And lastly, Mark Making at Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre offers a focused look at one of the most primary and universal building blocks of visual art, drawing upon example from around the world and opening up fascinating new perspectives on humanity’s innate drive to leave its mark.
Here are our picks
-
1. Phoebe Davies: Points of Rupture at Site Gallery in Sheffield
Spiral Holds # 2 Phoebe Davies. Phoebe Davies: Points of Rupture at Site Gallery in Sheffield, City Centre, Until 17 May 2020, free entry - Visit now
For her first solo exhibition, Welsh artist Phoebe Davies presents a new body of work inspired by her time spent with a group of teenage female wrestlers training in a local club on the outskirts of Oslo.
-
2. Emii Alrai: The High Dam at The Tetley in Leeds
House of Teeming Cattle, 2019 Two Queens Leicester. Photo Jules Lister Emii Alrai: The High Dam at The Tetley, Until 10 May 2020, free entry - Visit now
Combining demon lures and invented artefacts, ancient mythology and family lore, The High Dam at The Tetley in Leeds is the latest new work by upcoming artist Emii Alrai.
-
3. Other Transmissions: Conversations with Outsider Art at The Whitworth
Other Transmissions: Conversations with Outsider Art at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 14 June 2020, free entry - Visit now
A new exhibition at the Whitworth in Manchester explores the theme of ‘Outsider Art’ from the perspective of six learning disabled and non-learning disabled artists.
-
4. Mark Making at Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre
Mark Making at Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre, Manchester, Until 2 May 2020, free entry - Visit now
Mark Making at Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre opens up fascinating new perspectives on humanity’s innate drive to leave its mark.
-
5. Richard Bartle: Nomadic Tales at Millennium Gallery, Sheffield
© Richard Bartle Richard Bartle: Nomadic Tales at Millennium Gallery, City Centre, Until 13 April 2020, free entry - Visit now
Richard Bartle: Nomadic Tales at Millennium Gallery in Sheffield explores the modern-day city of Istanbul, viewed through a series of 14th-century miniature illustrations.
-
6. Suzanne Lacy: We Are Here at Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth
Suzanne Lacy: We Are Here is also on show at the Whitworth. It was co-organised by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), San Francisco. Suzanne Lacy: We Are Here at Manchester Art Gallery, Chinatown, Until 23 August 2020, free entry - Visit now
Suzanne Lacy: We Are Here marks the only UK stop of a major touring retrospective dedicated to the American feminist artist.
-
7. Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism – Online at Gallery Oldham
Specials Fans. Potternewton Park, Leeds, 1981. Courtesy of the artist and Autograph, London -
8. People Play by Alice Irwin at The Piece Hall in Halifax
People Play by Alice Irwin at The Piece Hall, Until 1 June 2020, free entry - Visit now
Alice Irwin’s giant sculptures at The Piece Hall embody a spirit of play, early innocence and imagination. Yet, People Play also has a more serious side.
-
9. New Digital Experiences at People’s History Museum
Image © People’s History Museum New digital experiences for 2020 at People’s History Museum, City Centre, Until 23 December 2020, free entry - Visit now
Can cutting-edge tech bring us closer to the events of the past? People’s History Museum unveils a series of digital experiences that shine a light on key moments in the history of democracy.
-
10. Joana Vasconcelos at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Joana Vasconcelos, Pop Gallo, 2016. Courtesy Lui's Vasconcelo / Unidade Infinita Projectos and YSP Joana Vasconcelos at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Until 3 January 2021, free entry - Visit now
Yorkshire Sculpture Park presents the monumental work of celebrated Portuguese sculptor Joana Vasconcelos.
-
11. Utopias at the Whitworth
Gilbert & George, Race Hate (2011) Utopias at The Whitworth, Manchester, Until 31 October 2020, free entry - Visit now
How have visions of utopia and the visual culture that helped form it impacted upon the Brexit debate? A new exhibition at the Whitworth explores.
-
12. Ho Tzu Nyen: The Critical Dictionary of Southeast Asia Volume 10: N for Nameless at CFCCA
Ho Tzu Nyen, The Critical Dictionary of South-East Asia: The Nameless film still (2014). Image courtesy of the artist. Ho Tzu Nyen: The Critical Dictionary of Southeast Asia Volume 10: N for Nameless at Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, Manchester, Until 12 April 2020, free entry - Visit now
CFCCA presents Singapore artist Ho Tzu Nyen’s alternative ‘A to Z’ account of Southeast Asia, focusing on the region’s neglected histories.
-
13. Theaster Gates: Amalgam at Tate Liverpool
Still from the film Dance of Malaga, 2019. © Theaster Gates and courtesy of the artist. Photo: Chris Strong Theaster Gates: Amalgam at Tate Liverpool, Waterfront, Until 4 May 2020, from £8.5 - Book now
Marking his UK debut, Theaster Gates responds to the little-known history of Malaga – a small island off the north east state of Maine, USA.
-
14. Use Hearing Protection: The Early Years of Factory Records at the Science and Industry Museum
Use Hearing Protection: The Early Years of Factory Records at Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield, 3 July 2020–10 January 2021, from £5 - Book now
Use Hearing Protection tells the story of Factory Records’ formative years from 1978-1982, when the label made waves with its innovative work in music, technology and design.
-
15. Judy Chicago at BALTIC, Gateshead
Judy Chicago Purple Poem for Miami, 2019 Fireworks performance © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/ARS, New York -
16. A Healthy Profit at Quarry Bank
Paul Harris A Healthy Profit Exhibition at Quarry Bank, Cheshire, Until 19 April 2020, free entry - Visit now
A Healthy Profit at Quarry Bank offers an important look at one chapter in the continuing story of capitalism’s impact on the human body.
More in Exhibitions
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.
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.
Poulsen Arc Dream Radio at Storyhouse in Chester
What does it mean to be transported into another person’s memories? Step into a new digital art commission at Storyhouse in Chester to find out.
Louise Giovanelli at Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery prepares to present a series of new paintings by artist Louise Giovanelli, alongside rarely-seen early Renaissance panel paintings.
Holly Hendry / Taus Makhacheva at The Tetley
As part of the Liverpool Biennial touring programme, The Tetley is hosting works by artists Holly Hendry and Taus Makhacheva.
Maddi Nicholson: a place lived at Hardman Square in Spinningfields
‘a place lived’ by Maddi Nicholson is a new public artwork that delves into the near-forgotten history of Manchester’s thriving financial district.
Unreformed: Wallpaper and Design Diversity at the Whitworth
Unreformed: Wallpaper and Design Diversity at the Whitworth examines the powerful the voices of the Design Reform movement.
Animalesque / Art Across Species and Beings at BALTIC, Gateshead
‘Animalesque / Art Across Species and Beings’ at BALTIC in Gateshead invites visitors to rethink the human position in the world.
Trading Station: how hot drinks shape our lives at Manchester Art Gallery
Trading Station at Manchester Art Gallery charts the history and changing social role of hot drinks in our lives.
Culture Guides
Literature
News of books just out and books worth revisiting, even if you can’t get to the events yourself. Plus a fabulous new exhibition about independent publisher Carcanet, on for the next six months…
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester.
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
It’s time to find the best restaurants for the weeks ahead. Here’s our guide to the best Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
Tours and Activities
Expect thrills, informative discussion, politically charged tours and wobbly towns in this month’s guide of Tours and Activities.
Related Guides
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
It’s time to find the best restaurants for the weeks ahead. Here’s our guide to the best Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
Art Galleries in Manchester & Salford
Away from the buzz of London, Manchester and Salford arguably have one of the highest concentrations of fantastic art galleries in England. Here’s our pick.
Museums in Sheffield
Sheffield has more than its fair share of weird and wonderful museums housed within its seven hills. Check out our favourites.
Art Galleries in Sheffield
A contender for the UK’s largest practicing community of artists and designers outside London – there’s a pretty impressive number of top art galleries in Sheffield.
Lunch in Manchester
Whether it’s a light bite or a hefty doorstep you’re after, good lunch places (like coffee shops) are one thing Manchester is not short on.
Museums in Manchester
Manchester is studded with fantastic museums – read our picks of the best here.
Places to go / stay / shop / eat / drink
Things to do right now
Powered by
