Exhibitions & EventsJanuary – April 2010

Welcome

New Year brings many new things to the Whitworth.Our biggest news is the selection of MUMA asarchitects for the extension and redevelopment of the Gallery. MUMA’s design features two new wings; a landscape gallery to the north and a transparent,slender café wing which celebrates the park’sspectacular avenues of trees to the south. These framea new park-facing entrance and courtyard where artand events will take place. A lower ground floorprovides improved access to the collection along withnew learning, study and art facilities. Plans will bedeveloped and presented for the final stage of theWhitworth’s Heritage Lottery Fund bid later this year.

We also have an extraordinary gift joining ourcollection. Trustees of the Musgrave Kinley OutsiderArt Collection have gifted to the Whitworth acollection of almost 800 works created by so-called‘outsider’ artists who have no formal art training, such as Madge Gill, Henry Darger and Scottie Wilson.This collection has grown out of Monika Kinley andVictor Musgrave’s lifelong passion for outsider art andtheir friendships with these artists. The gift links withkey works from the Whitworth’s current collection,particularly those by artists who have an affinity withoutsider work: Alfred Wallis, Jean Dubuffet and theCOBRA artists.

With a major new exhibition showing artist wallpapersas you have never imagined them, the New Yearcertainly rings in the changes at the Whitworth.

Maria Balshaw

Drawing of the south/park elevation and proposed Whitworth extension © MUMA, 2009

Henry Darger, Attack of the Tuskahorians ©Musgrave Kinley Outsider Collection

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Walls AreTalking:wallpaper,art and culture. Exhibition pages 02-04

Gallery Café‘A fantastic venue for awonderful lunch. The menu ispacked with mouth-wateringchoices.’ The Guardian

Enjoy seasonal and locally sourcedfood served up by owner and chefPeter Booth and his team in theGallery Café. The 2009 Good FoodGuide’s Best Family Restaurant inthe UK, the Café offers great coffee,delicious cakes, a seasonal lunchmenu and healthy choices for kids’all of which led Stylist magazine toname it one of the six best galleryrestaurants in the UK.

Opening hours, Mon to Sat: 10am – 4.30pm, Sun: 12 – 3.30pm

Gallery Support There has never been a better timeto support the Whitworth! Over thenext three years we will betransforming the Gallery, making itan even better space for art and forvisitors. The Gallery raises fundsfrom a number of sources and youcan help. For a discussion aboutcorporate sponsorship, individualgiving or leaving a legacy to theWhitworth please contact Jo Beggs,Head of Development & Resourceson 0161 275 7474 or emailjo.beggs@manchester.ac.uk.

Gallery ShopTake a bit of the Whitworth home!Our shop has an excellent range ofpostcards, greetings cards and giftsto help you remember your visitand a wide selection of books andmagazines. Buying from our shopdirectly supports the work of theGallery. University of Manchesterstaff, students and Friends of theWhitworth get a 10% discount.

Learning more about our collectionsLess than 5% of our collection is on display, there’s much morebehind the scenes. If you want tolearn more about items in ourcollection, you can use our studyrooms by booking an appointmentwith a curator.

24 Hour Access The Gallery is open 24 hours a day at www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth. There’s more informationon exhibitions, including labels andtext panels, as well as the thousandsof items that are in our stores,complete with images andbackground information.

More objects are being added to the website day-by-day, helpingvisitors with their research interests.

Keep in touch with us via our email newsletter – go towww.manchester.ac.uk/whitworthand register.

Friends of theWhitworth Join the Friends of the Whitworthand get more involved with theGallery and its work. From financialsupport towards activities and newacquisitions through to volunteering,the Friends make a valuablecontribution to the Whitworth.

Annual membership is available for £20 single, £35 double.

For more information on the Friends of the Whitworth pleasetelephone 0161 275 7496,email fow@manchester.ac.uk or write to the Friends c/o the Gallery.

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Walls Are Talking: Special ToursSaturday 6 February 2 – 5 pm, Free

A Tour of Walls Are Talking with the Curators andsome of the artists whose work is featured in theexhibition, including Catherine Bertola, Sonia Boyce,Helen Knowles, Matthew Meadows, Francesco Simetiand Erwan Venn.

Gill Saunders will be signing copies of her book WallsAre Talking during the afternoon.

Walls Are Talkingwallpaper, art and culture

6 February – 3 May 2010

Wallpaper is out of the closet. No longer a joke withconnotations of kitsch, it has become a legitimatemedium for contemporary artists.

Walls Are Talking, the first exhibition of its kind in theUK, features wallpapers by more than 30 internationallyknown artists, including Sonia Boyce, Thomas Demand,Robert Gober, Damien Hirst, Abigail Lane, FrancescoSimeti, and Niki de St. Phalle. It shows how they haveused historic wallpaper motifs, styles, and methodsand how familiar patterns have been subverted.

Walls Are Talking: An Artist TalksCatherine Bertola gives an illustrated talk about her work, past and present. Includes a tour of the exhibition.

Saturday 27 February, 2 – 4pm, FreeSaturday 27 March, 2 – 4pm, FreeSaturday 17 April, 2 – 4pm, Free

For details of other Walls Are Talkingevents that accompany this exhibition, please see pages 04 & 09.

Located across several of the Whitworth’s galleries, the exhibition includes commercial representations ofgender-related themes, features specially commissionedwork from artists, Michael Craig-Martin and CatherineBertola, and explores the interface between wallpapersas artists’ works and products made for the domesticmarket.

A collaboration with the V&A, Walls Are Talkingsurprises, excites and challenges. It shows that wallpaperis rarely a quiet background – it can be very noisy indeed.

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‘It was really niceto be given freerein to take over agallery – that neverhappens!’ Sam, 21

Branch Out!Saturday 20 February 2 – 5pm, Free

Join us to create tree-themedgigantic floor drawings usingmasking tape.

Watch us on Flickr:www.flickr.com/photos/mintsource

Join us on Facebook: search“groups” for “mintsource”

Follow us on Twitter:www.twitter.com/_mintsource_

Talk to us:mintsource@manchester.ac.uk

mintsourcemintsource is theWhitworth Art Gallery’sprogramme of activities for young people.

Walls Are Talking Events

Exhibition Tours, All FreeFebruary: Sat 6, 2pm Walls Are Talking: Special Tours. See pages 03 & 09February: Tues 9, Sat 13, Tues 16, Sat 20, Tue 23 & Sat 27 March: Sat 20, Tues 23 & Sat 27 April: Tues 13, Sat 17 & Sat 24 Final tour date May: Sat 1

For details and times of the curators and artists who will be giving eachtour, please see page 03 and 09 or visit www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth

The Student SocialFriday 12 February, 6 – 8.30pm, Free

Join us for a night of design, art and music, curated by design students to celebrate the exhibition Walls Are Talking. All students welcome.

The Art & Social ClubEvery Saturday from 9 January, 2 – 3.30pm, £3

Every fortnight there will be a Textiles Class or Life Drawing Class for adults wishing to learn new skills, sharpen up old ones and meet new like-minded folk.

Classes will last 1 hour and cost £3, materials will be included unlessstated otherwise. For further information or to book please visit:www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth or telephone 0161 275 7450

Tuesday Talks19 January – 9 March, 11.00am – 12.30pm, Free

The Tuesday Talks series explores the driving forces, influences and sourcesof inspiration behind the work of contemporary artists. Speakers in thissession will include Callum Innes and Corey McCorkle.

For updates join the Tuesday Talk email list:Email events.whitworth@manchester.ac.uk Telephone 0161 275 7450

The series is programmed by Professor Pavel Büchler, and supported byManchester Metropolitan University.

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Events

Exhibitions

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Detail of Takhti by KhosrowHassanzadeh

Mixed media, 2007© Khosrow Hassanzadeh

20 February – 25 April

Contemporary Iran has a vibrant artscene and this exhibition showcases a remarkable work by one of Iran’sleading artists, Khosrow Hassanzadeh(b.1963), recently acquired by TheBritish Museum. The centrepiece of the show is a large assemblage portraitof Gholamreza Takhti (1930-1968), one of the country’s national heroes,renowned for his Olympic medals forwrestling and for his social activism. Heis an icon for today in the tradition ofIranian cultural heroes going back tothe legendary stories of the Shahnameh(Book of Kings) circa 1000 AD.

The John Rylands Library offers acelebration of some different Iranianheroes this spring, with a display ofbeautiful Shahnama illustratedmanuscripts. The Shahnama, or Bookof Kings, is an epic poem tracing themythical and historical past of Iran. Thisexhibition celebrates one thousandyears since the poem’s creation.

Kings and Heroes: The Shahnama of Ferdowsi

18 February – 27 June 2010

Christie Gallery, The John RylandsLibrary, Deansgate, Manchester

Deep RootedHow Trees Shape Our Lives

What do trees mean to you? Drawing from the Whitworth’sinternationally important collection of watercolours and drawings, thisexhibition explores how trees andwoodland have shaped our lives.

Deep Rooted investigates some of themany different uses of trees, fromtimbercarts to tanning, from shelterto shipbuilding. It also examines themythic and symbolic tree, and focusesupon the oak tree as an enduringsymbol of British identity. Theexhibition includes work by J. M. W.Turner, Thomas Gainsborough, John Robert Cozens, William Hogarth and Paul Nash.

Share your photographs of trees at:www.flickr.com/groups/deeprooted.Selections of these images are onshow throughout this exhibition.

For guided tour details see page 09.

Baluchar sari (detail), Berhampur, Bengal, 1885

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The Manchester IndianThomas Wardle and India

The impact that India had on the work of textile entrepreneur Sir Thomas Wardle (1831-1909), forms the focus of thisexhibition. Still perhaps best known for his collaboration withWilliam Morris, Wardle’s efforts to reinvigorate the silk industry in India are highlighted here.

Spectacular saris, turbans, tailored garments and sample lengthscollected by Wardle on a visit to India in 1885-6 are featured,together with fabrics printed and dyed by Wardle’s company inLeek, Staffordshire, revealing the influence of Indian design onBritish textiles of the Arts and Crafts Movement.

This exhibition has been co-curated by Dr Brenda King, author of Silk and Empire and lecturer at the University of Salford.

A series of films and guided tours accompanythis exhibition, see page 09 for details.

To May 2010

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Untitled (on a day unknown...)16 January – 28 February 2010

Drawings by an official court artist and pinhole photographs document arecreation of an infamous and spectacularised courtroom trial from theinterwar years that forced the secret sex lives of a large number of men tobecome public. The exhibition questions the relationships between shame,portraiture, sexual identity and the legacies of the civic culture of that timeto reveal how lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) historiesmust precariously negotiate between preserving secrets and puncturingconfidences.

Jason E. Bowman’s performative artworks develop from dialogues withthose who are also its cast. Out in the City, a Manchester group of seniorLGBT people worked with Bowman on this commission.

The Complete RobertaBreitmoreLynn Hershman Leeson

Summer 2010

In San Francisco in the mid-Seventies, Lynn Hershman Leeson createdRoberta Breitmore and performed this persona as a work of art over afour year period, documenting it through artifacts, photography, filmand sound. This extraordinary body of work, which raises questionsabout the complexities of identity and the nature of the work of art,has been purchased by the Whitworth in its final edition and is shownhere for the first time in its entirety. Roberta Breitmore ended when‘she’ went through a ritual exorcism in 1978, but her spirit survives inthis documentation and the artist’s later work.

The purchase of Roberta Breitmore has been supported by MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Friends of the Whitworth.

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In ConversationSaturday 16 January, 2pm, Free

Jason E. Bowman discusses theprocess of developing Untitled (ona day unknown…) and the issuesit raises.

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Free Artist Led Workshops

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Families

For Under 5s and theirgrown-ups

ToddlertasticBooking is essential for allToddlertastic workshopsTo book please telephone 0161 275 7450

Drama AdventuresOn Mondays 4 January1 February, 1 March, 5 April10.30 – 11.30am Bring the artworks to life throughexciting and fun storytelling, role-play and drama techniques.

Art AdventuresOn Mondays 11 January 8 February, 8 & 29 March, 12 April10.30 – 11.30am Come and enjoy a story adventurewhile creating your own minimasterpiece!

Music AdventuresOn Mondays 18 January 15 February, 15 March, 19 April10.30 – 11.30am & 11.30am – 12.30pmExplore the artworks through musicand movement. Enjoy singing songsand musical games.

Dance AdventuresOn Mondays 25 January 22 February, 22 March, 26 April10.30 – 11.30am & 11.30am – 12.30pmJoin us and dance like a sculpture,boogie like a textile and wiggle like a painting.

Drop in workshops forchildren of all ages, theirfamilies and carers

Arty Picnics Tuesdays 16 February, 30 March6 April, Thursday 18 February Thursday 1 & 8 April11am – 12.30pmBring your family and some food(if you fancy lunch), and meet anartist for fun creative activities.Don’t worry if it is a terribleTuesday or Thursday and rainingoutside, we’ll have a picnic in theGallery surrounded by sunnylandscapes!

ColourfulSundays Every Sunday – all year round!1.30 – 3.30pmJoin friends, family and artists forour popular Colourful Sundaydrop-in creative workshops andcreate exciting things from gamesto mask making!

For over 6s, and theirgrown-ups

Artist Skills…Wednesdays 17 February 31 March, 7 AprilFridays 19 February, 9 April1.30pm – 3.30pmVisit with your family and join anartist to learn a range of artist skillsfrom printing to felt-making andcreate your own artwork to takehome. With these new skills youcan create your own family artworkback at home too.

For further details of dates and skills covered visit:www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/whatson/families/ or telephone: 0161 2757450

Everyday activities...The Gallery has lots of activities to pick up and enjoy any timeincluding Arty Picnic and Textile Story sacks. Family favourites such as the Art Cart, dressing up clothes, textile trail, and story sacks areavailable every day.

Our award-winning Café serves child friendly meals, and there’s apark next door!

Photo: Joel Chester Fildes

‘Quality family time, fun time, makingfriends, making art and even learning!’

Lee family

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T = Tour C = Concert TK = Talk E = Event F = Film Supported by the Friends of the Whitworth

Concerts: Supported by the Friends of the Whitworth Gina Miller Bequest.

Calendar All events are FREE unless otherwise stated, and it is advisableto book on 0161 275 7450 to avoid disappointment.

Sat 16 2pm Untitled (on a day unknown...) In Conversation: A discussion with Jason E Bowman about the exhibition and the issues it raises TK

Tues 11am – 12.30pm Tuesday Talks: An artist thinker or critic talks about what influences 19 & 26 and inspires them and their work TKSat 23 2pm The Manchester Indian Tour: Frances Pritchard, Curator (Textiles) TSat 23 2.30 – 4pm Poets and Players: Poets and musicians showcase new work ESun 24 12 – 12.45pm Performance by RNCM students C

Every Tues 11am – 12.30pm Tuesday Talks: An artist thinker or critic talks about what influences and inspires them and their work TK

Tues 2 1.15pm Deep Rooted Tour: Heather Birchall, Curator (Historic Fine Art) TSat 6 2pm Walls Are Talking: Special Tours Curators & Exhibition Artists. See page 03 TSun 7 12 – 12.45pm Performance by RNCM students CTues 9 1.15pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Christine Woods, Curator (Wallpapers) TFri 12 6 – 8:30pm Walls Are Talking, The Student Social:

A night of design, art & music. See page 04 EFri 12 6.15pm The Manchester Indian Films: A Passage to India

Tickets £6 on the door (Students free) FSat 13 2pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Christine Woods, Curator (Wallpapers) TTues 16 1.15pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Christine Woods, Curator (Wallpapers) TSat 20 2pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Dominique Heyse-Moore, Assistant Curator (Wallpapers) TSat 20 2 – 5pm Branch Out! A mintsource activity. See page 04 Sun 21 12 – 12.45pm Performance by RNCM students CTue 23 1.15pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Dominique Heyse-Moore, Assistant Curator (Wallpapers) TFri 26 6.15pm The Manchester Indian Films: Heat and Dust

Tickets £6 on the door (Students free) FSat 27 2pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Curator & Catherine Bertola, Artist TK & TSat 27 2.30 – 4pm Poets and Players: Poets and musicians showcase new work ESun 28 12 – 12.45pm Performance by RNCM students C

Tues 2 & 9 11am – 12.30pm Tuesday Talks: An artist thinker or critic talks about what influences and inspires them and their work TK

Tues 2 1.15pm Takhti Tour: David Morris (Head of Collections) TFri 5 6.15pm The Manchester Indian Films: Bride and Prejudice

Tickets £6 on the door (Students free) FSun 7 12 –12.45pm Performance by RNCM students CSat 13 2pm Takhti Tour: David Morris (Head of Collections) TTues 16 1.15pm The Manchester Indian Tour: Dr Brenda King, (Exhibition Co-Curator) TSat 20 2pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Christine Woods, Curator (Wallpapers) TSun 21 12 – 12.45pm Performance by RNCM students CTues 23 2pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Dominique Heyse-Moore, Assistant Curator (Wallpapers) TSat 27 2pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Curator & Catherine Bertola, Artist TK & TSat 27 2.30 – 4pm Poets and Players: Poets and musicians showcase new work E

Tues 13 1.15pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Dominique Heyse-Moore, Assistant Curator (Wallpapers) TSat 17 2pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Curator & Catherine Bertola, Artist TK & TSat 24 2pm Walls Are Talking Tour: Gill Saunders, Author & Co-Curator T

Want to learn more about our Gallery?Every Tues, Wed & Thurs from 2 – 2.30pmJoin our general tours looking at the past, present and future of the Whitworth.

The Whitworth Art GalleryThe University of ManchesterOxford RoadManchester M15 6ER

T: 0161-275 7450

F: 0161-275 7451

E: whitworth@manchester.ac.uk

www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth

Opening TimesMonday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12 – 4pm

The Gallery is closed on Good Friday, 2 April and isopen as usual on Bank Holiday Monday

Entry to the Gallery is free.

AccessWe aim to be accessible to visitors with disabilities.Wheelchairs and a rollator are available on request.There is a toilet for disabled visitors. The lecture theatreis fitted with an induction loop. Large print informationis available. If you require assistance during your visit,please email whitworth@manchester.ac.uk telephone 0161 275 7450 or ask at the Welcome Desk.

Learning and InterpretationFor more information about visits for schools andcolleges, please telephone 0161 275 7453. To makethe most of your visit, book in with our Learning andInterpretation team.

The Manchester MuseumThe Museum is 10 minutes walk from the Gallery with collections and activities for families and adults.Telephone 0161 275 2648 or visitwww.manchester.ac.uk/museum

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How to find usThe Gallery is in Whitworth Park, oppositeManchester Royal Infirmary. It is about 1.5 milessouth of Manchester city centre, at the south ofthe University of Manchester campus.

By train: The Gallery is about 1 mile from Oxford Road station.

By bus: There is a frequent service along OxfordRoad to and from Piccadilly Gardens. The 147from Piccadilly station passes the Gallery, stoppingat Nelson Street (Mon to Fri).

Travel information line:To check bus and train details telephone 0161 228 7811.

By car: There are three designated spaces forvisitors with disabilities and two short-stay spaces (max 20 mins). Parking is available in theUniversity Car Parks at Cecil Street (daytime andevenings) and Dilworth Street (evenings only). See map.

Staying in ManchesterSituated near Piccadilly Station, City Inn Manchester is a leading contemporary hotel that boasts state of the art facilities, stylish destination bars and al fresco restaurant.

www.cityinn.com

City Inn is the Whitworth’s official hotel sponsor.

Paints by Little GreeneCreated in association with English Heritage, LittleGreene’s range of environmentally-friendly paintsand wallpapers bring timeless elegance and enduring appeal to your home.

www.thelittlegreene.com

Little Greene is the Whitworth’s official paint sponsor.