Universally Manchester: Where Great Things Come Together, is an open air gallery of celebratory art, spanning 130 sites across the city centre this week and taking inspiration from people’s time at The University of Manchester.
The exhibition marks the run up to the much anticipated Universally Manchester Festival – a once in a lifetime, four-day festival to mark the University’s 200th birthday taking place from June 6-9, with hundreds of free tickets for events with speakers and performers including Professor Brian Cox, GRRRL, Ed O’Brien (Radiohead) and Professor Daniela Delneri (with Cloudwater Brew Co) available to all from May 9. Visitors can sign up for early access to the popular events here.
Reflecting on their love for the city, and the lasting impact their experiences have had, contributors to the citywide visual art project include award winning author and Professor of Creative Writing Jeanette Winterson, and poet and former Chancellor Lemn Sissay, alongside alumni including drag performer Cheddar Gorgeous, comedian Josh Widdicombe, actor Matthew Horne and barrister and broadcaster Rob Rinder.
The artworks are a fusion of creativity, each designed by different Manchester illustrators, breathing life into the inspiring quotes and colourful personalities behind them. From May 7 the artworks can be found exhibited at Mayfield Park, St Peter’s Square Metrolink, and on over 130 digital billboards and poster sites across the city.
The Josh Widdicombe artwork was created by Ellie Thomas, Lemn Sissay by John Owens, Rob Rinder and Mathew Horne by Beth Wilkinson and Cheddar Gorgeous by Louise Hardman.
Hardman said of her Cheddar Gorgeous’ quote, which has been painted as a mural by Open Minds, in Mayfield Park: “Drag performer, producer, academic, and visual artist – Cheddar Gorgeous is a Manchester powerhouse. For this piece, I was deeply inspired by Cheddar’s playful and unapologetic approach to their art and activism; exhibited by the vivid colours, bold type, and whimsical patterns within the design.
“Through the incorporation of illustrated theatrical iconography, the artwork spotlights Cheddar’s impressive lifelong career in the performing arts, in addition to their conceptual approach to storytelling and self-expression. It’s been an utter honour to have had the opportunity to help visualise Cheddar’s beautiful words.”
Drag artist and alumnus Gorgeous added: “A show of grit and glass, a beautiful contradiction. Beyond everything else I admire Manchester’s self belief. it punches above its weight and more often than not comes out top of the bill. The city revels in being its own main character. A perfect production; protagonist, antagonist, stage and audience, all rolled into one.”
A mural of Rinder’s words, illustrated by Wilkinson, will be painted live by Open Minds at Mayfield Park on Thursday May 9 to coincide with the release of hundreds of free tickets for Universally Manchester Festival.
Barrister, broadcaster and alumnus Rinder said: “Manchester never compared itself to anywhere else. I loved the pride the city took in its unique identity. It was, in so many ways, my most important gift. It’s where I discovered that cultural and intellectual curiosity is limitless and where – like the city itself – I found the courage to be different.’
Welcoming over 60,000 people, Universally Manchester Festival will acknowledge the university’s global impact and offers everything from poetry to physics, music to medicine, computing to creative writing and more. With events popping up in labs, concert theatres, outdoor spaces and the University’s award-winning culture hotspots Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum.
It has been made possible with the kind support of Manchester City Council and Transport For Greater Manchester (TFGM). Free ticketed events will be available to book from Thursday May 9, with early access available for those that sign up for information.
