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Member since:04.06.2007
Reviews:24
Members who trust:13
Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3JL
Tel: 0161 235 8888
Open Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm (some special events outside these times) Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays)
www.manchestergalleries.org
If your not the sort of person who normally visits an art gallery the why not take a look at you nearest venue as you may be pleasantly surprised. Even if your appreciation of art stops at Rolf Harris and impressionist bring to mind John Culshaw or Rory Bremner. You really do not need to have any prior knowledge to browse the various collections on offer.
I do not pretend to know much about art and I suppose this is why I have only recently rediscovered the joys of looking around Manchesters art galleries. For this reason I will not go into too much detail about individual pieces or artists as everyone has different tastes.
There really is more to this award winning gallery than you may realise and if you live or work in the
city or even spending a day in Manchester you could do worse than spending an hour or two in here. A ramp is provided for wheelchairs and buggys (wheelchairs can be borrowed) and toilet and baby changing facilities are provided with lift access to all 3 floors.
Here are just a few of the highlights.
As you enter this impressive building you are immediately greeted by staff who will happily point you in the right direction if you are looking for a particular gallery. From paintings to sculpture, decorative art, pottery, furniture and much more, its all here. Three floors spanning six centuries of art and design.
On the ground floor you will find works featuring Manchesters 200 year textile history to contemporary works featuring LS Lowry and Adolphe Vallete. This floor also houses the shop cafe and toilets.
The first floor includes 18th and 19th century landscapes and portraits, Pre-Raphaelites, Victorian art and design to 20th century contemporary art. On this floor you will find William Etty's huge "Sirens and Ulysses" which is currently being restored. You can find out all about the restoration in great detail and even watch and ask questions as the conservators carry out their work.There is also an interactive gallery for children.
On the second floor you will find the Craft and Design gallery and the most impressive space the building, the special exhibitions gallery. You can usual expect a well presented mix of audio and visual installations in this gallery.
No sooner had Australia's finest export been dusted down and packed up ready for the long journey north to Glasgow then plans were already afoot for an even more ambitious project. Like the kylie exhibition this one had it's detractors. What do working class northerners know about art? Will they be able to understand and appreciate the works?
These were just some of the questions when in 1857 "Art Treasures of the United Kingdom" brought together over 16000 exhibits of the most historic and modern art ever displayed and were housed in one of the largest temporary structures ever built. It was visited by Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens.
Now 150 years later the gallery has tracked down and brought back some of the original exhibits including works by Michelangelo, Turner, Hogarth, Constable and Gainsborough. Not only can you view these works but you can read accounts of what some of the original visitors made of this great spectacle and some newspaper reports.
To make sure you get the most from your visit check the website for the many free events including exhibition tours on Saturdays and special events every Thursday including talks and live music. I recently attended a very enjoyable session with short story writer David Gaffney who gave readings for about an hour some of which will soon be published on the website. Recent shows at the gallery have included the excellent Kylie Minogue exhibition with hundreds of items of memorabillia, awards and many of her costumes on display (see earlier review), and a retrospective of sixties designer Joe Columbo with items of furniture including chairs sofas and complete rooms as well as other works of this iconic designer. If you only have a limited time make sure you at least visit the 2nd floor.
There are always many special events such as artist talks and lectures and even tours of Manchester throughout the year so check the website before your visit.
The good thing about Manchester in general is that most places of interest are within easy walking distance and there are 4 free bus services around the city centre (1, 2, 3 and 4). The no2 from Victoria station stops at the gallery or the tram system stops at Mosley street or St PetersSquare.
Pictures of City Art Galleries
Manchester Art Gallery
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Jul 10th, 2007
(Oct 13th, 2007)
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