Whitworth Art Gallery Exhibition & Events Feb - May 2013 by The Whitworth

Whitworth Art Gallery

Exhibitions & Events Feb – May 2013

Architects impression of the Whitworth’s new extension. © MUMA, 2012

Welcome It is all about the land we stand on here in Manchester this spring. As we enter the final year of the Whitworth as it has been since 1889, we present a series of related exhibitions that speak of the land and how artists present it, move through it, and draw on and in it. From Turner to Piper, Richard Long to Nancy Holt and including geological samples on loan from Manchester Museum we focus our minds on matters of the earth. As we break ground behind the Gallery to start construction of the 21st century Whitworth, enjoy seeing the new taking root.

Maria Balshaw Director of Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester City Galleries #NewWhitworth

Legacy Information Evening Thursday 2 May Free, no need to book Venue: Manchester Museum A special event, jointly undertaken by Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Museum and Manchester City Galleries, to raise awareness of the crucial difference that can be made to Manchester’s cultural life through the generosity of supporters who make a gift in their Will. If you have ever considered supporting arts and cultural organisations in this way, this informal event with refreshments and an optional tour offers a great opportunity to find out more.

John Piper The Mountains of Wales 19 January – 7 April

John Piper began to draw and paint the landscape of North Wales in the middle of the Second World War. He was sent to Snowdonia in 1943 by the War Artists Advisory Committee, and rented a succession of cottages there between 1945 and 1956; two of them, at Maes Caradog and Pentre, situated in the awe inspiring glacial valley of Nant Ffrancon. For Piper, the result of this relocation was a shift from picturing the landscape of the lowland countryside to that of the sublime Welsh mountains. The large drawings and paintings that he made in Snowdonia are amongst his strongest works and tell of Piper’s close understanding of the landscape of that place, and his connection with the rock and sky surrounding him.

This exhibition has been brought together by the National Museum of Wales from the collection of a private owner who has built up a wonderful group of works focused on this subject. The Whitworth will augment the exhibition with its own dramatic work by Piper of The Slopes of Glyder Fawr, 1947. #PiperArt The exhibition is organised by Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, Cardiff. Supported by the Colwinston Charitable Trust the Derek Williams Trust and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. Supported by Little Greene Paint Company.

Curator’s Tour: John Piper Saturday 26 January, 2pm, free

Sublime

Watercolours of the Welsh Landscape 9 February – 16 June The Whitworth also presents an exhibition of drawings and watercolours from its own historic collection that will showcase interpretations of the Welsh landscape. Exploring artists’ representation of this geologically dynamic landscape, the exhibition includes works by JMW Turner, David Cox and John Varley as well as a selection of rocks and minerals from Manchester Museum. John Piper, Rocks at Capel Curig. c.1950. © The John Piper Estate

Michael Landy Four Walls 9 February – 16 June

Michael Landy, Four Walls, 2004

In 1977 Michael Landy’s father, John Landy, a miner, was seriously injured in a tunnel collapse at the age of 37. Severe spinal injuries rendered him housebound and unable to return to work. In his poignant video Four Walls, Landy explores his father’s previous enthusiasm for working around the home, referencing his collection of tools, DIY manuals, home improvement magazines and videos, assembled over decades, both before and after the accident. Reflecting on the struggles of his father’s life, the video displays photographs and line drawings of optimistic young couples and growing families pursuing the modern dream of the improved house, set alongside the recurring difficulties of blocked guttering, eroded surfaces, decayed structures, skinned knuckles and clogged drains. The images are overlaid with a soundtrack of his father whistling his favourite songs. Four Walls originally formed part of Semi-detached, the installation of a monumental and meticulously rendered sculptural replica of the front and rear façades of his parents’ Essex home in the Duveen Galleries at Tate Britain in 2004. #MichaelLandy

Looking at Landscapes Teacher’s Pack An educator’s resource is available for KS3-KS5 students, teachers and lecturers. Contact Denise Bowler for further details. t: 0161 275 8455 e: denise.bowler@manchester.ac.uk

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers, 1969

Richard Long Nancy Holt Land Art Richard Long: 16 February – 16 June Nancy Holt: 20 April – 16 June

Richard Long Tideless Stones, 2008

Richard Long emphatically changed the artist’s view from that of observing the landscape to journeying through it when he made his 1967 work A Line Made by Walking. With Robert Smithson, Walter De Maria, Nancy Holt and other artists in Europe and North America, Long was at the centre of the Land Art movement. Since then, the artist has made sculptures during his many walks, the art being inseparable from his movement through the landscape. Long also works in his studio, making discrete works of art for showing in galleries. Two stone sculptures are shown at the Whitworth, White Onyx Line (1990) and Tideless Stones (2008), both made from quarried stone, alongside text works which distill the action and experience of a solitary walk into words. Nancy Holt is renowned for her large-scale sculptural works in the environment, exemplified by Sun Tunnels (1976) in which pairs of large concrete pipes are aligned in a Utah desert along the axis of the rising and setting sun at the solstice. The pipes act as viewing devices for the sky, the surrounding landscape and each other, locating the viewer in the landscape and in relation to the stars. This exhibition focuses on her photography, including Trail Markers made on a visit to Dartmoor with her husband Robert Smithson in 1969, and photographs and films of Sun Tunnels. #RichardLong #NancyHolt

Events Saturday Supplement: Land Art Saturday 27 April, 3pm, free Writers, artists and curators discuss the role of photography within Land Art.

Curator’s Tour: Nancy Holt Saturday 4 May, 2pm, free For further details about these events see page 08.

Callum Innes, Exposed Painting Green Lake, 2012. Courtesy Frith Street Gallery, London

Callum Innes 2 March – 16 June Callum Innes is one of Britain’s best-known abstract painters. His constantly evolving practice is as much about un-painting as it is about painting. Using turpentine in conjunction with oil paints Innes thins and removes layers, revealing underlying colours and leaving the evidence of his process on the canvas. In his ongoing series, Exposed Paintings, layers of black oil paint are gradually removed to reveal a deep violet, or green. In his powerful and evocative series, Monologues the washes create a visual effect like a waterfall or a mist; a natural, shifting phenomenon. This exhibition also shows a selection of works on paper and new watercolours made especially for the Whitworth. Perhaps less well-known than his oils, Innes’ works on paper were some of his earliest experiments in abstraction, and remain an important part of his work today. His ongoing series of watercolours continues Innes’ experimentation with the power of colour, combining pigments to create an often fluid and unclassifiable hue. Throughout his work apparently simple actions create paintings with a complex depth, documents of the process and the duration of their making. #CallumInnes

Events Saturday Supplement: Artist Talk Saturday 2 March, 2.30pm, free Join Callum Innes as he discusses his paintings and works on paper within the exhibition. See page 08.

Curator’s Tour: Callum Innes Saturday 30 March, 2pm, free

Beryl Korot Text and Commentary 2 March – 9 June

Beryl Korot was an active player in New York’s emergent video art scene in the 1970s and considered a pioneer of multichannel installation in particular. Text and Commentary (1976-7) was inspired by the punch card system of the Jacquard loom and its impact on Charles Babbage, a mathematician who originated the idea of a programmable computer in the 19th century. It is a groundbreaking work comprised of weavings, videos and paperbased scores that, when first shown in 1977, moved the video medium beyond the television’s frame and into art installation.

Event Saturday Supplement: Artist Talk Saturday 2 March, 1pm, free Beryl Korot will be giving an artist talk on Text and Commentary. See page 08.

‘The thing that attracted me to the loom was its sophistication as a programming tool – it programs patterns through the placement of threads, in a numerical order that determines pattern possibilities,’ said Korot in a 1977 New York Times article. ‘It’s like the first computer on earth.’ In Manchester, birthplace of the textile industry and the first computer – Baby, this powerful work becomes even more resonant. #BerylKorot Beryl Korot, Text and Commentary, 1976-1977. Courtesy bitforms gallery nyc. Photo: John Berens

Families

Free Artist Led Workshops

Photo: www.WeAreTape.com

For babies and their grown-ups

Art Baby

Every Wednesday 10.15 – 11.15am or 11.30am – 12.30pm Creative sensory, discovery and play sessions accompanied by a musician. Especially designed for babies before they learn to walk. Booking is essential. t: 0161 275 7450

For under 5s and their grown-ups

Toddlertastic

Adventures in Storytelling, Art, Music or Dance Every Monday 10.30 – 11.30am or 11.30am – 12.30pm Creative sessions especially for the under fives and their grown ups. Booking is essential. t: 0161 275 7450

For children of all ages, their families and carers

Colourful Sundays Drop-in creative workshops Every Sunday 1.30 – 3.30pm Join friends, family and artists for our popular drop-in creative workshops. All year round!

Arty Picnics

School On Tuesdays Holidays 2 & 9 April, 28 May 11.30am – 1pm Bring your lunch and get creative whilst having a very special picnic at the Gallery.

Artists’ Skills 3D Landscapes Tuesday 19, Wednesday 20 Thursday 21 & Friday 22 February 1 – 3pm Experiment with School Holidays materials to create a 3D landscape.

Everyday family activities... We have lots of new activities for you to pick up and enjoy any time around the Gallery and its grounds. Our award-winning Café serves child friendly meals, and there’s a park next door.

Colourful Sundays Special Mothering Sunday 10 March 1.30 – 3.30pm Bring mums, grandmas, aunties… make something special for those who mean the most to you.

Great Outdoors On Wednesdays School 3 & 10 April Thursdays 4 & 11 April Holidays Fridays 5 & 12 April 1 – 3pm Dress to get messy (and stay dry) in Whitworth Park as we explore nature, art, creativity, and celebrate our natural surroundings in springtime.

Printing in the Park Wednesday 29 School Thursday 30 & Holidays Friday 31 May 1 – 3pm Join an artist and create your own screen prints. Dress ready for the spring weather.

‘Where can you get this much fun for free? On my second visit this week as my grandson demanded it!’ Bernard, Granddad of three

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Adult Programme Bringing art, people and ideas together, the Adult Programme promotes new ways to use our exhibitions, collections and spaces. For the most up to date news and events visit w: whitworthadultprogramme.wordpress.com

Tuesday Talks 15 January to 5 March 11am – 12.30pm Free, no need to book Each Tuesday leading artists and curators offer an insight into contemporary art practice, through their own driving forces, influences and sources of inspiration. In collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University. Check website for speakers: w: manchester.ac.uk/whitworth #TuesTalks

Students… For student opportunities and events visit: w: studentengagementmanchester. wordpress.com w: facebook.com/ studentengagementmanchester

Alternative Camera Club On Saturdays 23 February, 30 March 27 April, 18 May 1 – 3pm, free, booking essential Get away from talk of focal lengths, megapixels and f-stops for a more considered, conceptual approach to photography. Join photo artists for talks and discussions with the chance to share your images and ideas with the group.

Yoga Every Thursday 8.30 – 9.45am, £3, booking essential A fantastic way to start your day. Use our gallery spaces to exercise, relax and simply feel better. Please bring your own yoga mat.

Saturday Supplement Curated days of talks, performance, discussion and debate, in which artists, curators and academics explore the themes of our current exhibitions. Saturday 2 March 11am – 4pm, free Beryl Korot offers an intimate insight into her work, and Callum Innes discusses his paintings and works on paper. Throughout the day music performances take place responding to the exhibition John Piper: The Mountains of Wales. For details see pages 05 & 06. Saturday 27 April 11am – 4pm, free A programme of talks, tours, discussions and screenings explore the themes of Land Art and contemporary landscape photography. For details see page 03.

Textile Art Now On Saturdays 9 March, 6 April, 4 May 1 – 3pm, free Monthly talks, discussions and workshops introducing new, innovative textile artists. Learn about their practice and share the skills that make these ideas possible.

Crafternoon Tea On Wednesdays 20 March, 17 April, 15 May On Saturdays 23 March, 13 April, 18 May 1 – 3pm, £5, booking essential Social art and craft workshops. Try your hand at some new, unusual techniques in a fun and friendly atmosphere. You’ll even receive a voucher to enjoy a brew in our café when you’re done!

Serious about Art Weekend Courses

Landscapes of John Piper Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 March 11am – 4pm, £35 An artist led weekend to explore the themes and practices of our exhibition, John Piper: The Mountains of Wales.

Textiles: Innovation and Tradition Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 May 11am – 4pm, £35 Inspired by our textiles collection. Join a contemporary textile artist and learn traditional techniques to create your own innovative work of art. Booking essential for weekend courses: t: 0161 275 7450 e: whitworth@manchester.ac.uk

Movie Nights

Talks

Three movies offering a flavour of Wales.

Sarah Price: Landscapes Wednesday 27 February 6.30pm, £7, booking advisable Drawing on her fine art training, Sarah Price is established as one of the most prominent garden designers in Britain. A gold medal winner at RHS Chelsea and co-designer of the London Olympic Park Gardens. Current projects include landscape designs for the Whitworth 2014.

The Art of Keith Vaughan and Patrick Procktor Friday 5 April 12.30 – 2pm, £7, booking advisable Keith Vaughan taught Patrick Procktor at the Slade School in the late 1950s. Ian Massey, author of books about both of these influential painters will talk about their work, referencing the Whitworth’s collection.

Samuel John Peploe: A Scottish Modernist Friday 17 May 12.30 – 2pm, £7, booking advisable Samuel John Peploe was part of a group of painters known as the Scottish Colourists. Guy Peploe, Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, talks here about his grandfather’s work. These talks are free to students on production of ID card. To book advance tickets, e: fow@manchester.ac.uk

RNCM Performances On Sundays 20 January, 3 & 17 February, 3 & 17 March, 7 April Free, no need to book Enjoy music and art together in a regular series of concerts by music students from the Royal Northern College of Music. Supported by the Friends of the Whitworth Gina Miller Bequest.

After Hours Saturday 30 March 7.30 – 10.30pm Free, no need to book An evening of digital and live music responses to our collections. Using digital technologies to create new platforms for artists and visitors alike to connect with our exhibitions.

Friday 17 May 7.30 – 10.30pm Free, no need to book To celebrate Museums at Night, we welcome a selection of new, innovative artists, musicians and performers. Shedding new light on our exhibitions with their creative interventions.

How Green was my Valley Friday 8 March Life is hard in a Welsh mining town in this dramatic adaptation of Richard Llewellyn’s novel, starring Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O’Hara and a real Welsh choir. Dir. John Ford. 1941, Cert U, 118 mins

Under Milk Wood Friday 22 March Dylan Thomas’s delightful and peculiar story of life in a Welsh fishing village, starring Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Peter O’Toole. Dir. Andrew Sinclair. 1972, Cert 15, 87 mins

The Englishman who went up a Hill but came down a Mountain Thursday 28 March Comedy starring Hugh Grant, in which residents of a small Welsh town are deeply offended when a cartographer tells them their mountain is only a hill! Dir. Christopher Monger. 1995, Cert PG, 99 mins

All movies start at 6.15pm. Come early for a glass of wine. Advance tickets £5 (£6 on the night). Students free on production of ID card. To book advance tickets, e: fow@manchester.ac.uk

Friends of the Whitworth

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Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12 – 4pm The Gallery is closed on Good Friday, 29 March, and is open as usual on Bank Holiday Mondays. Entry to the Gallery is free.

Find us

We are in Whitworth Park, 1.5 miles south of Manchester city centre. walk: 40min from Manchester city centre. Flat paved route, not traffic-free. bike: Sheffield stands on-site, lockers on-site (£1 coin, refundable) bus: 15, 41, 42, 43, 140 – 143, 147. Ask for bus-stop nearest MRI, Oxford Road. tram: St Peter’s Square + bus 10min or + walk 30min train: Oxford Road + bus 10min or + walk 30min car: On-street parking (max 2hrs) on Denmark Road. Nearest car park Cecil Street. See map. Manchester travel information line t: 0161 228 7811

The Gallery Café

Good Food Guide’s Best Family Restaurant in the UK 2009. Mon to Sat 10am – 4.30pm, Sun 12 – 3.30pm

The Gallery Shop Offering a great selection of art books, cards and gifts the shop also stocks Little Greene paints and wallpapers. Manchester Museum

The Museum is 10 minutes’ walk from the Gallery with collections and activities for families and adults. t: 0161 275 2648 w: manchester.ac.uk/museum

Access

Wheelchairs, rollators, seating, free portable stools. Low lighting in most galleries. Guide Dogs welcome.

For a large print version of this leaflet please call 0161 275 7450, email whitworth@manchester.ac.uk or pick up a copy at the welcome desk. Friends of the Whitworth Get more involved with the Gallery and its work. Friends memberships are on sale in the Gallery Shop, now with a free limited edition bag. t: 0161 275 7496 w: friendsofthewhitworth.org.uk

Cover image: Whitworth Spring Season 2013

Open

Paints by Little Greene

Little Greene’s environmentally friendly paints and wallpapers, including designs from the archives at English Heritage and the Whitworth, bring beautiful colour, timeless elegance and enduring appeal to your home. Little Greene is the Whitworth’s official paint sponsor. w: littlegreene.com

Paper by GFSmith

GFSmith is an independent British company that has been providing the creative world with inspiration for over a century.

Friends of Whitworth Park

We are working to make the Gallery’s setting even better. We need your help! t: 0161 928 5744 e: shones@altrincham.freeserve.co.uk

The Whitworth Needs You!

You can now make a donation by text. Send the message: WAGM14 and the amount you wish to donate to 70070.

Whitworth Art Gallery

The University of Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER t: 0161 275 7450 f: 0161 275 7451 e: whitworth@manchester.ac.uk w: manchester.ac.uk/whitworth /whitworthartgallery @WhitworthArt

We’ve started work on our £12m building project to transform the Gallery, adding new exhibition spaces, study rooms, learning studio and Art Garden. We still need funds and there has never been a better time to support us! To make a donation large or small please contact Jo Beggs, Head of Development. t: 0161 275 7474 e: jo.beggs@manchester.ac.uk