A HOST of colorful and exciting events and exhibitions will fill Gallery Oldham over the next month.
For more information call 0161 770 4653 or log onto www.galleryoldham.org.uk
Exhibitions
The Artists Folio: as a site of inquiry (23 April – 9 July)
This unique exhibition presents a selection of folios from the collections of Cartwright Hall in Bradford. The exhibition spans a printmaking renaissance over the 1960s, 70s and 80s, including work by Sonia Boyce, David Hockney, Hew Locke, L. S. Lowry, Chris Ofili, and William Rothenstein. A folio is a group of works designed to be seen together. In this way they tell a different story to an individual print. The folios have been selected to represent a wide range of approaches to this idea, from the narrative through to the conceptual, and are shown here in their entirety. Curated by Professor Paul Coldwell, University of the Arts, London and Bradford Museums and Galleries.
The Fragile Moorland (until 4 June)
At the heart of this exhibition is the ‘Mor’ series of artworks by Margaret Uttley, focusing on man’s relationship with our unique and highly important peat moorland. Her work is amplified through a selection of items from Gallery Oldham’s own collections of fine art, natural history and archaeology with their own links to the moors. Margaret has also taken inspiration from the Gallery’s collections – incorporating archaeology found on the moors into some of her work. Examples of wildlife from our natural history collections are also on display in an exhibition that celebrates the hostile beauty of our unique moorland landscape.
Sculpting stories! (until Summer 2016)
This exhibition highlights the sculptural delights nestling in the collections of Greater Manchester Museums. The show includes significant names from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including works by Elizabeth Frink, Jacob Epstein, Laura Ford and Arthur Dooley from Gallery Oldham’s own collections. Go Figure explores the many and varied ways in which artists have responded to and represented the human form over the past 100 years.
Oldham Stories: Encounters with our collections’ (permanent exhibition)
In response to feedback from our visitors we launch a new permanent exhibition packed full of Oldham stories. This is your chance to see some of our most treasured artefacts alongside items that might just surprise you. We bring together objects from our natural history, social history and art collections to look again at Oldham’s past and present. We tell the stories of a range of local figures such as suffragette Annie Kenney, the pioneering natural history collector James Nield and popular artist Helen Bradley. Artwork on show includes important British paintings from the Charles Lees Collection as well as paintings by artists that illustrate local scenes and characters. Oldham Stories also includes lots of family activities. Follow our Owl Trail, try on hats found in some of the paintings or make a badge as a souvenir of your visit.
Last chance to see:
Purring – Sport of the People (until 9 April)
Anna FC Smith brings her art works and research into the forgotten sport of clog fighting to Gallery Oldham. Smith examines this local sport in which colliers and mill workers would engage in combat, kicking unprotected shins with their metal-soled clogs. These brutal and occasionally lethal matches were only loosely documented by history and Smith is the first person to bring this isolated and new information together. Purring, and its links to Oldham, is exhumed through archival investigation, interviews, art film, drawings, and objects from the archives.
Displays in our foyer
The Gallery Foyer has a permanent display of items from our collections. It is also the place to look out for smaller pop-up exhibitions throughout the year.
In Fine Style: The Dancehall Art of Wilfred Limonious (8 April – 6 May)
The first solo retrospective of prolific Jamaican illustrator, Wilfred Limonious (1949–99). Tracing his career from newspaper comic strips to his distinctive artwork for the burgeoning dancehall scene coming out of 1980s Jamaica.
Community Gallery
The Community Gallery features work by groups or individuals who live or work in Oldham, or anyone whose subject matter relates to Oldham. Do you have an exhibition proposal? Please contact Joy Thorpe on 0161 770 4663 or email joy.thorpe@oldham.gov.uk
Garry Holt: Hidden in the Back Seat of my Head (until 17 May)
Garry Holt’s thought provoking collage pieces reflect moods which may be dark, funny, tearful or joyous. Garry first practiced the art of collage from his hospital bed as part of an arts therapy course and his work has gone from strength to strength.
Gallery Talks
Our monthly talks are free, informal and last around 40 minutes with time for discussion afterwards. There is no need to book. If you are bringing a group of more than five please contact the Gallery on 0161 770 4742 beforehand.
Wednesday 20 April, 2pm
Explore some local history in the Oldham Stories exhibition.
Adult Art and Craft Courses
Willow Sculpture (Saturday 23 April, 10.30am–1pm and 2–4.30pm)
Make a garden obelisk with willow artists Cherry Chung. Cost: £20 each half-day session, including materials.
Super Saturdays
Be inspired by our exhibitions! We’ve artist led craft activities, painting, drawing and creative fun for all the family on the first Saturday of the month. Free – no need to book, just drop in from 12noon–4pm. Activities are most suitable for children aged 4–10 years.
Saturday 2 April
The Small Cinema
Bringing cinema back to Oldham – Every month we hosts a children’s classic in The Performance Space.
Gnomeo and Juliet (U) (Saturday 23 April, 2pm)
Fun tale to mark Shakespeare’s 400 year legacy.
Visit www.thesmallcinema.com for bookings and full listings. Tickets cost £3.50 and include a goodie bag for children. You can reserve tickets at the welcome desk or call 0161 770 4742.
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