ART
Robert Watson
Until 5 January
Manchester Central Library
An artist who left the comfort and security of his full-time job to pursue his craft is now preparing to exhibit in one of Manchester’s greatest landmarks. Robert Watson is putting the finishing touches to a gigantic, profile-raising showcase of his work at Manchester Central Library – describing it as the ‘opportunity of a lifetime’. The Sky Above Her will feature 70 of his pieces of various sizes from an enormous 150cm x 127cm image of cranes over Manchester’s Circle Square development to a 22cm x 22cm picture of a couple kissing in London’s South Bank.
robertjohnwatson.co.uk/central-library-2023
EXHIBITION
A Stitch In Time
Until 21 January
Warrington Museum
Warrington’s finest tailors, milliners and cobblers who worked to keep the town’s residents ‘clothed and booted’ in times gone by are the focus of a new exhibition. A Stitch In Time will showcase a selection of garments, accessories and footwear from Warrington Museum and Art Gallery’s rarely seen costume collections. The exhibition will explore the lives and tell the stories behind Warrington’s costumiers of the past while celebrating their skill and knowledge.
EXHIBITION
Scribble
Until 14 January
Warrington Museum
A fashion illustrator who has worked with some of the most prestigious brands is returning to his roots with a playful exhibition at Warrington Museum. Tony Green’s work has been seen in the likes of World of Interiors and Vogue and he’s collaborated with brands such as L’Oréal and Selfridges where he created illustrations for Jacquemus, Prada and Adidas. For Tony’s new exhibition, Scribble, he will be showcasing his playful, spontaneous and energetic style which has been turning heads in the industry for more than a decade.
EVENT
Noel Fitzpatrick
3 November
Parr Hall
One of the world’s most renowned and much-loved orthopedic-neuro veterinary surgeons,
Noel Fitzpatrick, will bring his show, Beyond Supervet, to the stage this autumn. This hugely entertaining evening will be full of fun and fascinating insights into the things Noel has learned from the thousands of animals he has helped throughout his career. Going beyond the wonderful world of The Supervet, Noel will explore how caring for animals really can help us all and how modern medicine can have an incredible impact on our lives.
parrhall.culturewarrington.org
EVENT
Wonderland
21 November-31 December
Tatton Park
Indulge your imagination and follow Alice’s footsteps through the Duchess’ Garden, the Queen of Hearts’ grand palace, and the amazing Magic Forest at Tatton Park. Marvel at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and dance the Lobster Quadrille before entering the Queen of Hearts’ kitchen to pick up your festive tasty treat. Be entertained by charming characters along the way and enjoy the festive illuminated displays that take over the state rooms and servants’ quarters this Christmas.
FILM
A Matter of Life and Death
26 November
Storyhouse
Set in a gorgeously photographed Technicolor England and a monochrome heaven, A Matter of Life and Death took the imaginative daring of jointly credited writer-producer-directors Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger to new heights. David Niven plays a British airman who survives a plane crash and falls in love with an American radio operator (Kim Hunter), only to be summoned to the afterlife by a heavenly ‘Conductor’ (Marius Goring).
And the winners are…
The stand out artists at New Light Art Prize have been announced
As covered last issue, the biennial New Light Art Prize shines a light on Northern artists, celebrating the immense talent the region has to offer. The winners, who are from Northumberland, Cheshire, Yorkshire and Lancashire, have done incredibly well to be crowned victorious as the judges had to wade through thousands of entries. The winners are:
The New Light Valeria Sykes Award: Frances Bell, ‘Lockdown’ – Frances is a full-time professional portrait and landscape painter, exhibiting internationally and across the UK.
The £2,500 New Light Patron’s Choice Award: Robert Cook, ‘Bog Bumper Emerging from the Moss’ – Robert lives in Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire and he has worked as a wildlife artist honing his craft.
The New Light Emerging Artists Award sponsored by Saul Hay Gallery: George Melling, ‘During the Endless Night She Felt Herself Losing Her Mind’. Working as a butcher two days a week to enable George to focus on his artwork for the rest of the week, his current body of work draws on images from photographs of family and friends from childhood.
The New Light Printmakers’ Prize sponsored by Zillah Bell Gallery: Neil Bousfield, ‘Bewick’s Place’ – multiple 16 block reduction relief engraving and woodcut (16cm x 32cm).
New Light Purchase Prize: Christine Stables – ‘The Art of Balance’. Christine lives in Stockport in Cheshire. In her winning piece ‘The Art of Balance’ she uses organic shapes, created with loose white lines, showing off the colour orange by using contrasts in textures, translucency, opacity and complimentary colour.
