The Whitworth Art Gallery, often referred to simply as The Whitworth, is an art museum in Whitworth Park on the campus of the University of Manchester.
What to see at the Whitworth Art Gallery
The Whitworth has a collection of around 60,000 items, but it does not feature a permanent collection on display, and instead, it has a programme of temporary exhibitions that draw both from the gallery’s extensive collection and from artwork on loan from other galleries.
The Whitworth’s exhibition programme includes:
John Lyons: Carnivalesque
This retrospective exhibition (until 25 August 2024) showcases six decades of Caribbean British artist and poet John Lyons’ work, examining his impact on British art, literature and art education with a focus on his exploration of Trinidadian folklore and mythology through painting and poetry. The exhibition encompasses paintings, drawings and woodcuts, along with selected small sculptures and sketchbooks. It also incorporates Lyons’ poetry through text and sound, highlighting the connections between his visual and literary pursuits.
Ayo Akingbade: Show Me The World Mister
Show Me The World Mister is a solo exhibition (until 20 October 2024) by Ayo Akingbade, featuring two new film commissions, The Fist and Faluyi. Filmed in Nigeria, these productions mark Akingbade’s most ambitious work to date, exploring themes of history, place-making, legacy and power. The Fist portrays the Guinness brewery in Lagos, intertwining narratives of industrialisation and labour, while Faluyi follows protagonist Ife on a journey tracing familial legacy and mysticism in ancestral lands.
The ‘Death’ of the Life Room
The ‘Death’ of the Life Room exhibition (until 12 January 2025) delves into the challenges encountered by the life room tradition during the 1950s. As the Whitworth transitioned into a university gallery amid nationwide art education reforms, the life room faced criticism for its perceived outdatedness. This display juxtaposes key works from the University of Manchester’s former teaching collection, transferred to the Whitworth in 1959, with pieces from its own collection.
Barbara Walker
This exhibition (4 October 2024–26 January 2025) of Turner Prize nominee Barbara Walker addresses issues of class, race, power and belonging in her work. Ranging from small, embossed works on paper to large-scale wall drawings, her intensely observed and empathetic pieces lend a powerful presence to Black communities and culture in art history. Themed around visibility and erasure, the exhibition will unite paintings, prints, and drawings spanning Walker’s career, including her recent Turner Prize-nominated series Burden of Proof (2022–23), co-commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation with support from the Whitworth. Additionally, the exhibition will feature a new commission centred on the Windrush generation, responding to the Whitworth’s collection of historic drawings and wallpaper.
Visiting the Whitworth Art Gallery
The Whitworth is located on the campus of the University of Manchester and it is around a 10-minute walk south of the Manchester Museum. Local bus routes 15, 41, 42, 42A, 42B, 43, 111, 142 and 143 stop just north of The Whitworth with regular services into central Manchester. It is also possible to walk into the city centre in around half an hour.
The Whitworth Cafe has a seasonal menu with breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea (dinner on Thursday evenings).
Most people spend 2–3 hours exploring the gallery and many people combine the Whitworth with a visit to the Manchester Museum, which is a 10-minute walk from here.
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