http://www.manchestergalleries.org/
The Royal Manchester Institution for the Promotion of Literature, Science and the Arts, designed by Sir Charles Barry in 1824, became Manchester Art Gallery in 1882 when the building and its collections were handed over to the city.
Manchester Art Gallery has an impressive historic and modern collection. The latter is particularly strong in early 20th-century British art acquired through a bequest from Charles Rutherston. It includes works by LS Lowry, Liam Spencer and ‘Manchester Impressionist’ Adolphe Valette, alongside works by Wyndham Lewis and Henry Moore. The contemporary collection holds works by Richard Deacon, Mona Hatoum, Juan Munoz, Michael Craig Martin, Cornelia Parker and Antony Gormley.
Highlights include a collection of contemporary furniture and lighting by internationally renowned designers Tord Boontje, Ron Arad and Thomas Heatherwick. The contemporary gallery has an exhibition space dedicated to showcasing the work of locally based artists and designers, with the exhibits changing every six months.
Editor's note:
Manchester Art Gallery was refurbished in recent years with the intention of rationalising the spaces and creating a more contemporary feel. The entrance is still a little dark but the café is lovely and the access areas to the galleries are easy to navigate. The gallery spaces themselves are impressive and are rull of treasures — it is clearly a struggle to ensure that as much of the collection as possible is seen. This is just the tip of the iceberg of this vast collection.
Rachel Goodyear Manchester Art Gallery 2009 Manchester Art Gallery
Tony Oursler Crystal Skull 1998 Manchester Art Gallery
Juan Munoz Blotter Figures: Standing Still 1999 Manchester Art Gallery
Paul Cocksedge NeON 2003 Manchester Art Gallery
Assa Ashuach 501Chair 2003 Manchester Art Gallery
Rachel Goodyear Manchester Art Gallery 2009 Manchester Art Gallery
Rachel Goodyear Manchester Art Gallery 2009 Manchester Art Gallery
Rachel Goodyear Manchester Art Gallery 2009 Manchester Art Gallery, © the artist photo: Rachel Goodyear
Tony Oursler Crystal Skull 1998 Manchester Art Gallery, Purchased by the Contemporary Art Society on behalf of Manchester Art Gallery as part of the Special Collection Scheme, © the artist courtesy: the artist and Lisson Gallery, London
Juan Munoz Blotter Figures: Standing Still 1999 Manchester Art Gallery, poyester resin. Purchased by the Contemporary Art Society on behalf of Manchester Art Gallery as part of the Special Collection Scheme, 160 x 91.4 x 53.3cm, © the artist courtesy: Marian Goodman Gallery, New York photo: Michael Goodman
Paul Cocksedge NeON 2003 Manchester Art Gallery, hand-blown glass with neon. Purchased by the Contemporary Art Society on behalf of Manchester Art Gallery as part of the Special Collection Scheme, 50 x 10 x 10cm, © the artist photo: Richard Brine
Assa Ashuach 501Chair 2003 Manchester Art Gallery, moulded fibreglass, prototype. Purchased by the Contemporary Art Society on behalf of Manchester Art Gallery as part of the Special Collection Scheme, 50 x 110 x 40cm, © the artist photo: Assa Ashuach Studio
Rachel Goodyear Manchester Art Gallery 2009 Manchester Art Gallery, © the artist photo: Rachel Goodyear
Rachel Goodyear Manchester Art Gallery 2009 Manchester Art Gallery, © the artist photo: Rachel Goodyear