Manchester's Whitworth Gallery reopens after £15m refurb
The Whitworth Gallery at the University of Manchester reopens this weekend after a major refurbishment with a host of new works, talks and events.
The gallery reopens with a solo exhibition by Cornelia Parker, with Blakean Abstract – a fireworks piece inspired by William Blake watercolour The Ancient of Days – and War Room, an installation inspired by the punched-out paper used to make Remembrance Day poppies, among the highlights.
Across the weekend there are a series of talks introducing each of the Whitworth’s exhibitions by curatorial staff, while on Sunday Stuart McKnight of architects MUMA will discuss the work behind the Whitworth’s redesign.
There is, of course, much more in store: work by Cai Guo-Qiang, Sarah Lucas and Johnnie Shand Kydd; an exhibition of watercolours by the likes of Blake and Turner originally donated to the Whitworth by Guardian founder John Edward Taylor; and a look at works acquired during the Whitworth’s 1960s expansion are among a host of exhibitions on the re-opening programme.