We are delighted to share that the You Belong Here exhibition at Salford Museum and Art Gallery has been extended til 19 June 2022! Giving plenty more time to enjoy these nature-inspired artworks through the coming seasons. See new contemporary art commissions alongside historic photographs and paintings inspired by our local parks, green spaces and heritge. Visit by dropping in or booking in advance.
Alongside – enjoy a programme of curator tours, artist talks and more – in person at the Museum and also streamed/recorded online. Find the programme here.
Plus – video artwork Circadian Bloom (California Poppy) has launched in the Museum cafe. The AI generated artwork produces gently-moving flower images throughout the day – read more about the work here.
#YouBelongHere #RediscoveringSalford
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I am a photographer with a creative practice exploring themes of identity and belonging, and have 13 years’ experience working with collections. My previous major projects include participatory projects working with Holocaust survivors and refugees, a book about Piccadilly Records and a collection-based project, Portrait of a Living Archive. I have always had an interest of the role of photography in the ability (or not) to make change in people’s lives, and wider society.
I am so excited to be working with the Art Collection Team and really looking forward to working with a community group truly collaboratively, co-authoring and co-producing work together using the University’s Art Collection as our starting point.
As part of this residency, I will be receiving mentorship from Open Eye Gallery – who are actively rethinking what a gallery can be. They are the national lead in Socially Engaged Photography, bringing different voices, photographers and communities together, to establish projects where the collaborative process is just as important as the final product. I will also be working with students from the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology at University of Salford, who have an MA in Socially Engaged Photography.
Outside of my role at Salford I also work at The John Rylands Research Institute and Library as Imaging Manager and I am a member of POST Photography Collective – a group of photographers who are also mothers, committed to making Motherhood more visible in the photographic industry. I am also currently collaborating with Salford Young Fathers Project on ‘Hold Tight: My Dad and Me’, a participatory photo project celebrating young dads and their kids and the things they do together in and around Salford.
During the first part of this residency, I am spending time researching the collection and identifying themes that could help to provide access to the collection. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be connecting with a group of young people. We will develop the project together so we don’t yet know what the outcome will be. As part of the process, we will not only be thinking about themes within the collection, but also critiquing ideas of what a collection could and should be, asking who are the collections for? What stories can they tell? Whose voice can we hear? And how can we think differently about them? We will be blogging regularly to share our progress and our journey.
Images: Photographs from Salford and along the River Irwell, from Gwen’s first day on residency.
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Climate, Retrofitting and Photography: McCoy Wynne to Exhibit at COP26 Universities’ Innovation Showcase
Stephanie Wynne and Stephen McCoy explore the power of photography to tackle one of the UK’s biggest climate challenges: in a world increasingly impacted by a changing climate, how can our Victorian terrace housing stock be retrofitted to become energy efficient?
In 2021, Open Eye Gallery and University of Salford Art Collection awarded photography partnership McCoy Wynne a residency in collaboration with Salford Energy House to explore positive solutions to the climate crisis. A selection of images from the resulting photography project, titled Are You Living Comfortably?, will be included in the COP26 UK Universities’ Climate Innovation Showcase.
‘We are very pleased that Are You Living Comfortably? has been chosen to be exhibited as part of this crucial conference for all our futures,’ say McCoy Wynne. ‘Collaborating with scientists at the Energy House gave us the opportunity to consider the small, household, energy saving, modifications we can all make to help address the detrimental issues of climate change.’
The images were developed in collaboration with the engineers and scientists at Salford Energy House, the world’s first full sized, two bedroom, brick built terraced house constructed inside an environmentally controllable chamber. ‘Are You Living Comfortably? is all about storytelling,’ says Lindsay Taylor of the University of Salford Art Collection. ‘These images tell the story of how the innovative work of our scientists relates to our everyday lives. Sometimes that research can come across as quite dry, however McCoy Wynne visually represent the experiments in a way we can all relate to.’
Mccoy Wynne observed how engineers and scientists at Energy House tested insulation and heat transferal technologies to provide clarity on what works and how well it works – essential know-how for professional in the housing sector, but also for anyone able to invest in retrofitting their own property to reduce spiraling energy bills. Lindsay Taylor explains, ‘As we address the climate emergency it is so important to understand that there are small things that each of us can do that will make a difference. We’re excited that Are You Living Comfortably? is selected for this exhibition at COP26!’
Their images are coloured with reference to heat mapping as a data visualisation technique, adjusting the colour in each image to emphasise cold spots. They have created multi-layered lab images to tell a story, ghosting domestic scenes such as furniture and fireplaces over these technologies and lab equipment, with green landscapes visible through windows to hint at the direct correlation between energy use and carbon capture. ‘The Energy House is a traditionally built house, that is – observed, analysed and measured,’ the photography partnership say. ‘We recreated it as a home giving it a new imagined life, introducing furniture and gardens etc. The details of this imagined world are semi-opaque to give a sense of reverie to a scientific study.’
However, the title of the project is poignant. For many of the poorest residents of Victorian terraced housing, the question is not one of how to best retrofit for energy efficiency, but how to ensure that the everyday energy costs of living can be managed.
McCoy Wynne are currently developing a brochure that alludes to estate agent brochures. It will explore Energy House 1 room by room, with text from Energy House scientist Dr Richard Fitton identifying measures to prevent heat loss and creating the correct level of thermal comfort. It provides tips across a spectrum of reducing energy use – from pulling curtains and covering floors, to brick cladding. ‘We hope that the pictures resonate with the public and help them to engage with the aims of Energy House,’ say Mccoy Wynne, ‘to make affordable and sustainable changes to their own homes, so we can all live comfortably.’
We are delighted to announce a further commission for our Rediscovering Salford programme, with Greater Manchester based artist Lowri Evans. Read more about Lowri and her work here, and find out about her call for the #SalfordTree inventory below.
Call for your favourite Salford Trees:
Do you have a favourite tree in Salford? Maybe it’s a tree you have climbed up or sheltered under. Maybe you planted it. Maybe it was already hundreds of years old when you were born…
As the leaves fall in Autumn 2021, artist Lowri Evans will be getting to know the trees and the people that love them around Salford as part of a new project for the University of Salford Art Collection in collaboration with Salford Museum & Art Gallery.
This project will pay attention to the cycles of nature, life death and life again, and how we can learn from trees and apply it to our personal lives. Seeing life decay and nourish new life again.
Share your favourite tree with us – post your images, stories or memories on social media using the hashtag #SalfordTrees (on Twitter and Instagram) and tagging Lowri at @LowriEvans on Twitter or @thelowri on Instagram. (On Facebook, just post your image in our comments!)
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Image: Seo Hye Lee [sound of subtitles] (2021). Still from video. Courtesy the artist and North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University, Bexley Local Studies & Archive Centre, London’s Screen Archives.
For the June 21 residency, Vital Capacities invited three artists from across the UK to explore and develop new work, supported by the University of Salford Art Collection, Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network, and Phoenix. Over the course of the month, the artists undertook research, tested ideas, and created new commissions, working with partners, artists, web designers and a digital inclusion specialist. Intertwined is an exhibition of the new work resulting from the residency.
Seo Hye Lee was co-commissioned by University of Salford Art Collection, whose experience of working with archives was especially important in contributing to Lee’s new film, [Sound of Subtitles]. Over the month, Lee researched approaches to subtitles and captioning, and how sounds are described or omitted using these tools for increasing accessibility for D/deaf and hard of hearing people. Lee worked with film archives across the country to develop a silent film that invites you, through the captions, to imagine the sounds, and the stories behind them, while provoking the viewer to question the role of captioning.
Laura Lulika’s new work, Body Builder, was co-commissioned by Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network, which includes moving image, music, spoken word, performance and collage. Over the course of the residency, Lulika explored hyperability, mascot bodies, the false binary of healthy/unhealthy, and the absurdity of footballer’s fake foul dives. Lulika has created an interactive collage, combining Frankenstein mascots, pub settings and automobile bodies all with their own tales to investigate.
During the residency, Linda Stupart continued to explore the River Cole, a process begun in 2020, resulting in the work-in-progress film, Watershed (2020). During June 21, Stupart continued to walk and map the River Cole, which has resulted in the creation of an interactive story/game, with images, texts and music; Watershed 2.0: Pandemic CYOA Cyberspace Edition 2021. Stupart’s new work has been co-commissioned by Phoenix in Leicester, who supported them to explore new game-based platforms, including Twine – a programme for making choose your own adventure (COYA) games, with which the new work has been created.
To find out more about how the artworks came about, explore the artists’ studios, where you can see the developments which led to the new work.
Castlefield Gallery and the University of Salford Art Collection are delighted to announce the new cohort for our annual Graduate Scholarship Programme.
This year, following a very competitive application process, we have awarded scholarships to five students from the Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology: Katie Aird, BA (Hons) Photography; Daniel Callan, BA (Hons) Fine Art; Jeffrey Knopf, MA Contemporary Fine Art; Henna Mahmood, BA (Hons) Fine Art, and Sara Rawat, BA (Hons) Fine Art.
The Graduate Scholarship Programme is run by the University of Salford Art Collection in collaboration with Castlefield Gallery, and with the support of our local industry partners Hotbed Press, Islington Mill, Paradise Works and Redeye, The Photography Network. It provides a bespoke programme of professional development and real world experiences for a small number of students in the first year after graduation, with one place also offered to an MA student.
Each artist will receive support tailored to their individual needs and aspirations by Castlefield Gallery including: a 12 month programme of coaching, mentoring, professional development sessions, local and national trips and honorary 12 month membership of Castlefield Gallery Associates, providing further opportunities for professional development and training, plus a bursary of £1,000 to spend on materials or travel; studio space or place on a programme with one of our industry partners; Hot Bed Press, Islington Mill, Paradise Works, and Redeye, The Photography Network.
Founder of the programme, and Curator of the University Art Collection, Lindsay Taylor says:
“As we enter the 8th year of the programme, the competition for places was harder than ever. We had some exceptional applications, and I am confident that the successful candidates will make the best use of opportunities offered to them in the year ahead. Despite the challenges of the last year, the determination, ambition and hard work of our students, and the university staff who taught them has shone through”.
Director and Artistic Director of Castlefield Gallery, Helen Wewiora says:
“It’s a pleasure to support the University of Salford School of Arts and Media graduates through the scheme. We understand all too well what a difference a programme like Salford Scholars can make to graduates in that important first year out. It is inspiring to see how many of the ‘scholars’ establish themselves as professional practitioners, becoming part of and contributing to artist and creative communities in the city of Salford, the region and beyond.
“Despite the challenges of 2020, the Scholars selected last year demonstrated exceptional promise. We are super excited to see what this new cohort can achieve and are very much looking forward to working with Katie, Daniel, Jeffrey, Henna, and Sara, and once again the University of Salford Art Collection, Hot Bed Press, Islington Mill, Paradise Works and Redeye, The Photography Network.”
Image 1: Katie Aird, Self Portrait (2021) Photograph Image 2: Henna Mahmood, Day and Night (2020) Fibre textiles Image 3: Jeffrey Knopf If not for the support of others (2021) Mixed media Image 4: Sara Rawat El Hombre Que Vive Al Otro Lado Del Mar (The Man Who Lives Across Sea), (2021) Mixed media Image 5: Daniel Callan Study Window (2020) Lino relief print
We are delighted to share that our new collaborative exhibition with Salford Museum and Art Gallery is opening to the public from 15th July. You Belong Here: Artists Rediscovering Salford’s Green Spaces includes historic, modern and contemporary works that explore and celebrate our local parks and green spaces. Included are four new commissions by Salford based artists Lizzie King, Hilary Jack, Jack Brown and Cheddar Gorgeous, who have each ‘rediscovered’ Salford in unique ways. Alongside, the augmented reality app ‘The Storm Cone’ by Laura Daly can be downloaded for free from app stores to enjoy in nearby Peel Park.
We are pleased to announce a new co-commission for the collection with UK based artist Seo Hye Lee, for the Vital Capacities online residency programme from 1st June 2021.
Vital Capacities aims to provide an accessible space for artists and audiences who may be limited by resources or physical barriers from participating. The platform supports artists to develop new work, share skills, make new contacts, and reach audiences in the UK and internationally. Working with organisation around the country, especially those with a focus on disability arts, to nominate artists for the programme, three artists have been selected for the June edition of the programme.
Seo Hye Lee, Laura Lulika and Linda Stupart will be in residence throughout June, sharing new work and research in an online ‘studio’ and exhibition space. The artists are supported by University of Salford Art Collection, Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network (FLAMIN) and Phoenix, respectively.
Seo Hye Lee is a Somerset-based South Korean artist who uses the mediums of sound, illustration, and installation to experiment with new forms of narrative, creating playful pieces that challenge the idea of listening. Drawing inspiration from her hearing loss experience, Seo Hye aims to explore the boundaries between hearing and listening; regardless of your hearing skill, one can always listen in a variety of ways. Recent presentations of her work include: Artist Self-Publishers’ Fair (2020) Grundy Art Gallery (2020), School of Art Institute Chicago (2019), London College of Communication (2019), Jip + Olympia (2020), Tate Exchange (2019) and Tanzhaus NRW (2019).Seo Hye graduated from MA Visual Communication at The Royal College of Art in 2017.
“I like to explore the nature of sound as a deaf individual in different ways. As someone who has frequently worked with audio-visual installation, I would like to push my practice toward creating works within the video installation and moving image format. Due to my deafness, I grew up relying on subtitles in film and media. I have since become interested in subtitles as a nuanced form of communication. This residency will provide a fantastic opportunity for me to explore this in greater depth and allow me to experiment with the context of subtitles more boldly, particularly engaging with other artists and researching in depth. For this residency, I will be experimenting with the language of subtitle, and the inaccuracy of auto-generated captions and transcriptions through the medium of video projection.” – Seo Hye Lee
“We are excited to work with Seo Hye Lee and Vital Capacities for this online residency. The programme offers an innovative and engaging online platform – we have really enjoyed exploring past programmes and look forward to collaborating on the June edition. Seo Hye Lee’s work carefully interrogates experiences of audio-visual communication (and mis-communication) – a key theme in our ‘About the Digital’ collecting strand – and something which has only increased in resonance for many of us since the pandemic. Her work will be an important addition to our collection.” – Stephanie Fletcher, Assistant Curator
She joins artists Laura Lulika – a chronically sick and disabled queer artist exploring themes of care, sexuality, labour, sickness, and performativity in the everyday; and Linda Stupart – a South African artist, writer and educator based in Birmingham, interested in objectification, abjection, science fiction and revenge.
Vital Capacities has been created by videoclub in consultation with artists, digital inclusion specialist Sarah Pickthall and website designer Oli Pyle.
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The University of Salford Art Collection holds an archive of artists prints from the ‘Manchester Print Workshop’ – founded by Master Printmaker Kip Gresham. The Workshop started in Manchester in 1975 and after a few years moved to the University of Salford, where it ran until the mid 1980s. The prints – including screenprints, lithography and other techniques – exemplify the vibrant and experimental aesthetic of the era. We’re now undertaking some research to find out more about the activities of the Workshop and the artists who worked there, and would like to invite any alumni or members of the local community who have memories from this time to share them with us.
The artists represented in our collection include: Alan Whitehead, Cecile Elstein, Kip Gresham, Matthew Hilton, Michael Green, Pat Eason, Paul Ritchie, Peta Cole, Richard Riley
We’re particularly interested in hearing more about these artists, but welcome all recollections about the Workshop and any of its members, from alumni who may have also made prints there or been taught by members.
If you can help us to find out more, please email researcher Tracy Ireland at artcollection@salford.ac.uk, including “Manchester Print Workshop” in your email subject. (Please avoid sending any large files or attachments with your email, as this may get filtered out).
Click here to find out more about our Print Collection.
Examples from the Collection:
Screenprint ‘Shoot’ was made by artist Alan Whitehead at the workshop in 1969. It combines collaged football scenes with abstract printed elements, framed in a football ‘goal’ composition. We know that Alan unfortunately passed away in the 1980s, and have been unable to trace his estate. Do you remember Alan & his work?
This silkscreen print (Untitled) was made by Pat Eason in 1980, and acquired into our permanent collection (#298a). The work exemplifies the vibrant and playful aesthetic of the time. Do you remember Pat, their work, or any of the other artists connected to the Manchester Print Workshop?
Images: Courtesy the artist and Museum Photography North West. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and to obtain their permission for the use of copyright material.
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Commissioned by the University of Salford Art Collection and Metal, The Storm Cone is an immersive artwork by artist Laura Daly with music composed by Lucy Pankhurst, which reveals the lost bandstands in our municipal parks and explores their forgotten histories. At its centre is a journey through music and sound that considers our relationship with the past, while charting the fading away of brass bands during the interwar years (1918 – 1939). Augmented Reality allows the visitor to witness the ‘skeleton’ of a traditional bandstand as they experience the music.
The Storm Cone, launching 29 May 2021, is experienced in the park setting, through a free app and using headphones. Initially it immerses the visitor in the 360˚ sound of a band performing as a full ensemble in the park. Moving amongst the absent bandsmen, the audience will hear the detail of every instrument, before following the departed musicians into eight spatial sound works, where solo musical phrases merge into new environments. An offsite version will also be available on the project’s dedicated website, making The Storm Cone widely available.
The Storm Cone will be located where the bandstand once stood in Peel Park, Salford. It will also be presented at the site of the lost bandstand in Chalkwell Park, Southend as part of Estuary 2021, and as a new permanent addition to Metal’s NetPark digital project.
The music for The Storm Cone is a newly commissioned composition. Lucy Pankhurst worked closely with Laura Daly to evolve musical themes and phrases that reflect the artist’s ideas and narrative for the overall project. She has created an innovative and contemporary score that utilises sound spatialising technologies to move music around the listener; with instruments calling and responding across the ‘bandstand’. The resulting piece is sculptural in its approach.
Students, staff and friends of The University of Salford performed and recorded the commission. For many of the younger musicians it was their first recording session. It was the only live music performance at the University, during a year of Covid restrictions. The sound works bring together vocal contributions from a wide range of people including the University’s drama and music students and Manchester choir, Chorus of Others.
The title of the work comes from Rudyard Kipling’s 1932 poem that forewarned of the Second World War. It considers key aspects of the interwar period and the ensuing break-up and reshaping of communities. Serving as warning shot, The Storm Cone contemplates the residual impact of this time and the cyclical nature of history in terms of current events, including the economic downturn and rise of populism, extremism, racism and antisemitism; problems now seemingly exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also a commemoration of creative legacy. The resulting experience is an artwork that is imbued with a sense of both loss and celebration, underlining human strength and fragility.
In Salford, The Storm Cone is presented at Peel Park as part of Rediscovering Salford, a city-wide programme which highlights and celebrates Salford’s green spaces – inspired by the launch of RHS Garden Bridgewater in May 2021– The Storm Cone is presented alongside You Belong Here: Artists Rediscovering Salford’s Green Spaces, a new exhibition at Salford Museum & Art Gallery which will show four new artists’ commissions alongside original archive material, photographs and historic artworks from the Museum, University of Salford and The Lowry. Together, they rediscover some of the city’s unique history – and overlooked stories – as well as offering new narratives about our local environments.
The Storm Cone is commissioned through a partnership between University of Salford Art Collection and Metal in collaboration with Salford Culture and Place Partnership on the occasion of Rediscovering Salford. Generously supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Also supported by PN Daly Ltd and Zinc and Copper Roofing.
