Now in its sixth edition, The Manchester Contemporary, launches with 27 carefully selected participants and a prestigious programme for collectors and curators.
The UK’s only art fair for world-class critically engaged contemporary art outside of London, The Manchester Contemporary, returns to the iconic Old Granada Studios from 24 to 27 September 2015.
Returning for its sixth year, the invitational art fair was first established to reflect the growth and strength of the UK-wide art scene, as well as to cater to the region’s emerging collector base. Participants are selected by curatorial coordinators, Paulette Terry Brien and Laurence Lane, Directors of The International 3, based on the strength of gallery programming and the quality of the artists they work with. These include several new project spaces that have been recently initiated by emerging artists and curators, as well as established commercial exhibitors that return to the fair each year.
Speaking on the aims of The Manchester Contemporary, Paulette Terry Brien said: “The Manchester Contemporary's underlying ethos is to present the best in emerging critically engaged contemporary art by artists of regional, national and international repute. It gives a platform to commercial and not-for-profit initiatives that are committed to developing artists’ careers and establishing long-term relationships with audiences and collectors alike”.
Taking part in The Manchester Contemporary for the first time is BREESE LITTLE, showing a solo presentation by Royal Academy Schools alumni Aimee Parrott. BREESE LITTLE Director, Henry Little, said of the gallery’s selection: “The fair's roster of galleries and artist-run spaces from outside London is a particular draw for us, and demonstrates the vibrant strength of contemporary art outside the capital. This is not only important in itself, but suggests a brighter future in which other major UK cities can host and nurture markets for critically engaged contemporary art. We very much look forward to participating."
Returning to The Manchester Contemporary for the third time is VITRINE, a gallery with a programme of off-site projects that run in parallel to the main exhibitions, taking place in Basel, London and elsewhere in the UK.
“The Manchester Contemporary is about bringing emerging contemporary art practice from across the UK to an emerging and expanding collector-base beyond London,” said director Alys Williams. “It’s a great fit for VITRINE because of our emphasis on encouraging artistic experimentation and developments”.
This year VITRINE will using the fair to present new work by Tim Etchells and Charlie Godet Thomas.
Further work available at The Manchester Contemporary includes that of:
Hyun-Min Ry is presented by IMT Gallery
Exploring the sometimes uncomfortable relationship between society and the individual, Hyun-Min Ryu’s multidisciplinary practice includes photography, film and installation. With low-key humour, Ryu captures both the mundane and fantastical within every day life. Born in Daegu, South Korea, Hyun-min Ryu graduated from the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL, London with an MFA in Fine Art Media in 2012 and was Winner of a Slade Award.
Pippa Gatty presented by Man&Eve
Working in a variety of mediums, Pippa Gatty draws from the romantic tradition and uses archives for inspiration within her exploratory practice. Process and the concept of artistic labour are also important in the production of Gatty’s richly layered oil paintings, gouaches and drawings, sometimes on found objects, which seek to address the act of pretending or believing.
Jo Mcgonigal presented by OBJECT / A
Currently undertaking a PhD examining Painting and Materiality at The University of Leeds, and having recently co-curated the exhibition Real Painting at Castlefield Gallery, Jo McGonigal’s practice rigorously questions the experiential basis of painting for the viewer; not what the painting means but what it does. Thus, Mcgonigal’s work can includes three dimensional chunks of timber and knotted spandex, questioning the limits of the medium through hybridised forms.
The Manchester Contemporary is delivered by Buy Art Fair Limited, using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
For further information on all featured exhibitors and artists visit www.themanchestercontemporary.com. Follow on twitter @mancontemporary
TICKETS – www.themanchestercontemporary.com/tickets
Tickets for Friday – Sunday admission are free if registered in advance or £3 on the door.
Limited preview night (Thursday 24 September) tickets are available to purchase for £10 each.
THE MANCHESTER CONTEMPORARY
The Manchester Contemporary, launched in 2009 by Thom Hetherington at Buy Art Fair Limited, is an invitational art fair that gives a platform to emerging exhibitors and their artists, using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The only art fair of high–calibre, world-class contemporary art outside London in the UK, The Manchester Contemporary brings together art lovers and buyers with the best of critically engaged contemporary art from regular exhibitors and new additions, as well as offering guided tours and visitor programmes.
www.themanchestercontemporary.com / @mancontemporary
Confirmed for 2015: BREESE LITTLE, Bureau, Copperfield, Division of Labour, domobaal, Grand Union, IMT Gallery, l'etrangére, OBJECT / A, PAPER, Platform A, S1 Artspace, Space in Between, The International 3, Vitrine, Bloc Projects, Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, Supercollider, Castlefield Gallery, Vane, Cactus Gallery, Man&Eve Projects, Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, Millington Marriott, Islington Mill, WORKS|PROJECTS, Patricia Fleming Projects.
HEADLINE PARTNERS
Old Granada Studios
Old Granada Studios – located in the heart of Manchester City Centre – is a platform for creativity, innovation and urban exploration. Mixing commerce, events, arts and culture, Old Granada Studios utilises Manchester’s iconic built heritage to provide the foundations for a hive of activity.
www.oldgranadastudios.com / @oldgranadastudios
Living Ventures
Living Ventures Group are the proud operator of some of the most exciting brands in the UK restaurants and bar market including Manchester House, Artisan and Australasia.
Manchester City Council
The Manchester Contemporary is supported by Manchester City Council
ASSOCIATE PARTNERS
Cheadle Hulme School is proud to be supporting Buy Art Fair, giving its students and Old Waconians (former students) a platform to showcase their stunning talents. The 160 year old School has a long history of artistic excellence and continues to nurture and develop artists of outstanding calibre. Recent alumni have included Alex Chan (Class of 2013), who is currently studying Architecture at the University of Huddersfield and Fleur Yearsley (Class of 2009), who has been made a featured artist twice on Saatchi Art and has been awarded the Gwen John Scholarship to study a Masters in Fine Art Painting at UCL’s Slade School of fine Art. Cheadle Hulme School is a relevant, stimulating and dynamic education is at the heart of Cheadle Hulme School; valuing individual effort, active engagement, collaborative learning and co-curricular opportunities to enable each boy and girl, aged 4 to 18, to develop as a well-qualified, socially confident, independent young adult.
Jelf Manson
Jelf Manson is one of Manchester's leading insurance brokers. Serving Manchester and the North West region for over 40 years, we put customer care at the heart of what we do. The close working relationships we develop with our clients enable us to create a comprehensive insurance proposition encompassing tailored cover as well as offering relevant, valuable additional services. We cater for a wide range of business insurance sectors and niches, as well as offering a truly personal service for our Private Clients.
As part of a wider group, Jelf Group Plc, we are also able to offer expert advice on healthcare, employee benefits and financial planning.
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