Manchester Art Gallery is playing host to the unnerving sculptural realism of Ron Muek, with a bite size exhibition of the Australian artist’s work. Three very differently scaled human sculptures are now on display in the Artist Rooms, all by the same artist and all boasting an incredible attention to realistic detail. They intentionally incite uneasiness in the spectator. Read more
Art Review: Greg Holland Photography
The Art of Tea is a charmingly chic café-bar in East Didsbury becoming well known for its exhibitions. Until 16 May the walls will be graced with the photography of talented local artist Greg Holland.
Gaza’s children: Sarah Irving talks to Manchester artist Jane Lawson
Following the attacks on Gaza by Israeli forces at the start of 2009, Manchester-based artist Jane Lawson responded to the images and stories of death and destruction by creating a series of unique prints of some of Gaza’s children. Capturing acute human suffering and injustice at the hands of oppression, the images will go on [...]
Manchester-based artist wins 2009 Northern Art Prize
Pavel Büchler has been announced winner of the 2009 Northern Art Prize. The Prague-born artist, now based in Manchester, took the £16,500 prize for his installation “Eclipse”, currently on display at Leeds City Art Gallery alongside the work of the other nominees.
Last Chance Art: Angels of Anarchy
Queues will snake through Manchester Art Gallery this week as visitors take a last look at Angels of Anarchy, the impressive exhibition of works by women surrealists which closes on Sunday 10 January.
Literary City
The Manchester Literature Festival (MLF) 2009 promises to be an engaging celebration of words and wordsmiths, transcending lines of genre and form, language and linguistics, poetry and prose. The annual event has evolved from the Manchester Poetry Festival (est. 1994), a small but enthusiastic celebration of verse, to something of a cultural revolution in the [...]
Free Festivals are Finally Here!
Siobhan McGuirk takes a look at October’s ‘cultural calendar’ and finds more than ever to hail at the grassroots.
Book Review: A suitable enemy: Racism, migration and Islamophobia in Europe, by Liz Fekete
As the English Defence League plan anti-Muslim demonstrations in Manchester this October, Frances Webber reviews Liz Fekete’s account of the rise of Islamophobia.
Temporary Autonomous Arts returns to Manchester
This November sees the return of Temporary Autonomous Arts to Manchester. If you’re thinking this sounds like just another edgy exhibition, don’t be fooled. In previous years TAA have squatted large, abandoned buildings in the city, and transforming them into a creative, interactive spaces, open to everyone.
Thomas Paine: Champion of the Common Man
‘Government in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one’. These words, written by Thomas Paine over 200 years ago, still ring true today, and a new exhibition about Paine’s life at the Salford Museum and Art Gallery reminds us of what we have learned from him. The [...]
Have you ever visited…the Working Class Movement Library?
Manchester is famous for being the birthplace of industrial capitalism. However, it is also hallowed ground in the history of working class politics and struggles for justice and equality – stories all too easily left out of mainstream history. Keeping that legacy alive relies on preserving that history, and making it accessible and relevant today.
Mark Thomas: It's the Economy Stupid
MULE’s Michael Pooler caught up with activist and comedian Mark Thomas during a visit to Manchester and Salford, which took in visits to Hazel Blears’ house and the Deansgate tax office. Right now the tireless campaigner is asking for an invasion of tax-haven Jersey and the nationalisation of Tesco…
Urbis, after a couple of hit and miss seasons, is getting on it’s feet and getting cool again…
Although current exhibitions Videogame Nation and State of the Art: New York could be accused of being a little too self-consciously cool, Urbis is really worth a visit this summer for the wealth of events and workshops it’s putting on. Not least of these is their Walking Tour series which now includes Audio Walks available [...]
Crunch: The Game for Utter Bankers
Who do we blame for the economic crisis? The answer for TerrorBull Games is in the system itself. Few commentators cared to mention 30 years of rampant free market had genetically engineered today’s risk-taking, bonus-guzzling banker. Co-inventor of Crunch Andrew Sheerin argues: “It’s all very well going after the fat cat bankers of the world, [...]
Polyp With Words
Manchesters most famous political cartoonist, Polyp (alias Paul Fitz) will soon release his second book. Here he talks to Mule about the book, influences and love for his adopted city.