Castlefield Gallery

Do you enjoy regular visits to Castlefield Gallery? Does our work appeal to and benefit you? Would you like to see Castlefield Gallery be able to continue to develop and nurture artistic and creative careers across Greater Manchester, the North West of England, and nationally?

Please donate to Castlefield Gallery with a one-off, or a monthly donation, to ensure we can continue our ongoing mission.
👉 You can do this here: https://www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk/donate/

Alternatively, you can join our Patrons & Guardians scheme. You can become a Guardian for only £5 per month.
👉 Learn more: https://www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk/support-us/

📸 Image: A Journey into Olfactory Art and the World of Smell at Castlefield Gallery. Photographed by Jasmira Husna

If you are planning to visit our current exhibition 40 Years of the Future: Where Should We Be Now?, please note that Castlefield Gallery is closed until Friday 6 September inclusive. It will reopen as normal from Saturday 7 September.

📸 Where Should We Be Now? installation. Photographed by Jules Lister.

Last week, our Director Helen Wewiora was interviewed by Nick Ahad on BBC Radio 4 Front Row. Together with Make. 's Chief Operating Officer, Kirsten Little, they discussed the importance and the work involved in creating and maintaining exhibition and studio spaces for artists.

👉 You can now listen to it online: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00224hk

📢 Associates: don’t miss this opportunity!

40 Years of the Future: WINDOWS is an exhibition taking place across 4 window spaces, including: Castlefield Gallery’s venue in Manchester and Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces in Wigan, Warrington and Chester.

We are putting out an open call to our Castlefield Gallery Associates for one artist to transform these windows spaces. Proposals will be co-selected by guest selector Kate Bryan (Curator and Broadcaster) and Matthew Pendergast (Curator and Deputy Director, Castlefield Gallery).

📅 Deadline for applications: Tuesday 8 October 2024, 5pm

👉 Learn more and apply: https://www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk/call-out-for-castlefield-gallery-associates-40-years-of-the-future-windows/

📸 Image: Work in Progress by Daisy James at Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces: Warrington.

Thank you The Fourdrinier for this review of our current exhibition!

REVIEW Aug 2024 40 Years of the Future: Where Should We Be Now? Castlefield Gallery, Manchester, an exhibition presented in partnership with University of Salford Art Collection.


“Knopf was intrigued by the collection of deities from ancient cultures, which Freud referred to as ‘grubby gods’ that he placed upon his desk. Knopf sees their positioning as a form of barrier between Freud and his patient. For Freud, these objects are both familiar as muses and a source of inspiration, but also defamiliar. They remain inscrutable to the great thinker in their significance to their associated ancient culture, but also in their nature as a crude depiction of the god they each represent.”

- David Hancock


Jeffrey Knopf – Companions (2024), Pewter & Glass (Photo: David Hancock)


Castlefield Gallery University of Salford Art Collection David Hancock The Fourdrinier Arts Council England PAPER Gallery

If you are planning to visit our current exhibition 40 Years of the Future: Where Should We Be Now?, please note that Castlefield Gallery will be closed from Monday 2 September to Friday 6 September inclusive. It will reopen as normal from Saturday 7 September.

📸 Where Should We Be Now? installation. Photographed by Jules Lister

A series of free exhibitions is coming to Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces: Chester.

This month sees University of Chester's graduate Grace Currie, who achieved a first-class degree in Fine Art at the University, bring her exhibition, Out of the Shadows, to the space.

Described as bold, challenging and explorative, Grace’s work will be on display from 11am to 3pm every day, until July 27.

Funded by Arts Council England, Grace’s art is inspired by her own experience, evolving world view, her challenges and triumphs living with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), as well as perspectives shared in focus groups by social work students, organised as part of the project.

Using various traditional and non-traditional art materials to create many layered, textured, new artworks, the project explores the value of arts-based processes to enhance training in social work education on supporting those with an ABI.

Venue: Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC), Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces, Unit 14, in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre

Learn more about other upcoming exhibitions in the series: https://www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk/a-series-of-free-exhibitions-are-coming-up-at-castlefield-gallery-new-art-spaces-chester/

📸 Image: Artwork by Grace Currie

We are proud to announce that five Graduate Scholarships have been awarded to students from The University of Salford

This year, the recipients are:
- Grecia Balassone
- India Buxton
- Jess Robinson
- Iqra Saied
- Robin Standring

Congratulations!
The Graduate Scholarship Programme is run by University of Salford Art Collection in partnership with Castlefield Gallery and with additional support from Wallace Seymour Fine Art Products for the Wallace Seymour Painting Scholarship.

Each recipient will receive will receive a tailored support package that can include:
- £1000 bursary for e.g. materials
- Studio space at Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces or with our partners at Hot Bed Press , Paradise Works and Islington Mill
- Coaching and mentoring
- A 12 months Castlefield Gallery Associates membership
- Research trips and networking
And much more!

📸 Images:
1. Grecia Balassone, Blurry Faces, 2023.
2. India Buxton.
3. Jess Robinson, Untitled 02.24.
4. Iqra Saied, Unfamiliar, 2024.
5. Robin Standring, Prove them wrong, 2023.

Join us for the preview of our next exhibition on Thursday 4 July, 6-8pm at Castlefield Gallery! No need to book, just come along!

Presented in partnership with the University of Salford Art Collection, 40 Years of the Future: Where Should We Be Now? brings together the work of a sculptor, photographer and artist-filmmaker – Jeffrey Knopf, Theo Simpson, and Hope Strickland. These artists are deeply committed to their disciplines, but also keen to work with them in expanded and non-traditional ways.

In both the content of their work and materials used, Knopf, Simpson and Strickland explore our complex relationship with the past, present and future and challenge the dominant cultural narrative that the world has only one history

If you prefer to book a timed visit with additional restricted capacity in the gallery, so you can enjoy our new exhibition at your own pace, come to our Saturday Slow Preview on Saturday 6 July. This is also a chance for you to ask questions to Castlefield Gallery Curator and Deputy Director Matthew Pendergast. Refreshments will be provided.

👉 To book your tickets click here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/castlefieldgallery/1273895

Exhibition continues: 7 July 2024 — 6 October 2024

📸 Image: Jeffrey Knopf, Now You See Me (2024), film still. Image courtesy of the artist

This week is ✨
On this occasion, we would like to say that we're immensely grateful to all the amazing people who give their time to Castlefield Gallery. Thank you, we couldn't do it without you!

Congratulations to Sajida Ismail, Co-Director of Grass Routes Movement (CIC), who has completed Julie’s Bicycle’s Creative Climate Accelerator programme which provides training to raise ambition for a creative climate project. Castlefield Gallery nominated Sajida for Creative Climate Accelerator following her participation in Hybrid Futures' Collective Futures.

The programme supports participants to step into climate leadership, with a particular focus on people who are underrepresented in the sector. It equips them with the skills and understanding to translate knowledge into action, and to act as agents of change in the sector. Legacy is focused on realising their project, supported by their nominator. We look forward to working with Sajida and seeing the unfolding of all the projects the programme produces.

Julie’s Bicycle runs Creative Climate Accelerator as part of Arts Council England’s Environmental Programme.

Earlier this week, Matthew Pendergast (Castlefield Gallery Curator and Deputy Director) was interviewed by Don & Mike for All FM. Together they talked about our 40th anniversary programme, supporting local talent, our connections with other Manchester art venues, and much more.

And the good news is: you can now tune in online to listen to the whole conversation! https://www.mixcloud.com/mike-bath/21st-may-2024-programme-interview-matthew-pendergast-from-castlefield-gallery/

Did you know?

One of the many benefits of joining Castlefield Gallery Associates is the opportunity to sign up for one-to-one Advisory Sessions with Castlefield Gallery's Curator and Director! Advisory sessions take place every month and are a fantastic way for artists to get feedback about their work, ask career-related questions or make a strategy to develop their projects.

Not an Associate yet?
👉 Learn more and join our scheme: https://www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk/associates/

If you missed the curator tour on Sunday, fear not! You can join our curator Matthew Pendergast for another tour of our exhibition 40 Years of the Future: Painting on Sunday 9 June, 2 - 3pm at Castlefield Gallery!

👉 Follow the link in our bio to book your free tickets

This is a chance to hear the curator offer his unique insight into the work of the artists in the exhibition: Sarah Feinmann , Tricia Gillman , John Hoyland , Jamie Kirk , Robin Megannity , Azraa Motala , Katie Tomlinson and Gary Wragg

📸 Image: Tricia Gillman, Carambola (1982), detail. Photographed by Jules Lister.

We all have a role to play in tackling the climate emergency. As we look to the future, we want to know how our audiences think we - and other cultural organisations you visit - should be responding to the situation and playing our part.

From the management of our buildings and the travel choices we encourage audiences to make, to the platform we have through our programme, we want to hear where you think we can make the most impact.

We have collaborated with our research partners Indigo to develop a short survey to help us explore this. If you kindly completed the survey last year, we'd still love you to take part to see if your views have changed.

👉 Complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y8HMHSD

The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete. If you complete the survey you will be able to enter the prize draw to win £100 of Theatre Tokens (or a £100 Gift Voucher to a cultural organisation of your choice). The deadline for completing the survey and entering the prize draw is 9am on Monday 27 May.

Thank you for your help!

📸 Image: Mapping Water: a cyanotype workshop with Kimiā Collective organised by Castlefield Gallery in 2023. Photographed by Kate Hardy.

Don't miss Beyond Retail at Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces: Chester!

📍 Venue: CASC (Contemporary Art Space Chester) at Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces: Chester, Unit 14, Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Chester

📅 Opening times: 10am to 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until 26 April 2024

Ways to give empty retail spaces a new lease of life are explored in an exhibition of work by Interior Design students this month.

The free Beyond Retail exhibition opened at CASC (Contemporary Art Space Chester) at the Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces, Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Chester, on Monday and runs from 10am to 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until April 26.

More 👉 https://bit.ly/3JbU6aX

UoC Art & Design UoC Student Shout Out Castlefield Gallery

We are pleased to announce Castlefield Gallery has successfully qualified as a 2023 Active Member with Gallery Climate Coalition!

To achieve Active status we had to demonstrate that our organisation had implemented environmental sustainability best practice in line with GCC guidance. Active Membership is not a certification of sustainability nor a claim that we are doing things perfectly or have all the answers – none of us are at this point. We’re all doing our best to assess, report and reduce our impact, setting targets in line with science, taking any actions we can and working out other solutions as we go.

We encourage all of our peers and colleagues to visit the Gallery Climate Coalition page to learn more about the initiative and how to get involved: https://galleryclimatecoalition.org/

A huge well done and congratulations to all the many other new and existing active members!

Please note Castlefield Gallery will be closed over the Easter holiday period from Friday 29 March to Tuesday 2 April 2024 included. Thank you for your understanding 🐰

Though there aren't any tickets left for the opening tonight, you can still book a ticket for our Saturday Slow Preview on the 23rd here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/castlefieldgallery/1132510

Free things to do in Manchester this week FT Pollen Bakery, Castlefield Gallery and more... From exhibition launches in the heart of Castlefield to Amapiano parties over at YES - here are the best free things to do in Manchester.

We are proud to announce that chartered accountant and restructuring professional Paul Flint has joined Castlefield Gallery's board of Directors and trustees.

Helen Wewiora, Director / Artistic Director of Castlefield Gallery said: "We are delighted to welcome Paul to our board of Directors and Trustees, following growth and development of the gallery in recent years and at a key moment for Castlefield Gallery as it marks 40 years! From his time as Managing Director of A&M and Associate Partner at KPMG, Paul brings a wealth of much valued knowledge, skills and experience to his trustee role. He also demonstrates a clear passion for all things Manchester, art and culture. We are excited to be working with him. Welcome Paul!"

Ceri Hand, Co-Chair of Castlefield Gallery said: "We are thrilled to welcome Paul Flint to the board of Trustees. With over three decades of experience in restructuring and commercial solutions, his expertise will undoubtedly enrich our strategic vision and bolster our ability to navigate challenges effectively. His commitment to achieving tangible results in complex situations aligns perfectly with Castlefield Gallery's mission to support and empower artists across the North West region."

Paul Flint is a chartered accountant and restructuring professional first at KPMG for 31 years and more recently as a partner at Alvarez and Marsal for the last five years. He is a highly commercial individual who likes to find solutions to problems. Outside work he has a passion for classic cars and art, being an avid collector of both. Paul Flint is a father to three grown up children and loves to spend time with his family. He is passionate about getting artists the opportunity to thrive and develop their gift.

We can't wait for our upcoming exhibition 40 Years of the Future: Painting to open on 20th March!

In the meantime, we would like to share some images of our previous show Logical Song, which has been a huge success! Thank you all for visiting the gallery and engaging with Rowland Hill's work.

📸 Images:
1. Rowland Hill, Fluchtpunkt (2022) at Castlefield Gallery. Photographed by
2. Rowland Hill, Holy Prototype, 2024. Photographed by Jules Lister
3. Logical Song at Castlefield Gallery, installation view, 2024. Photographed by Jules Lister
4. Rowland Hill, Priority!, 2022. Photographed by Jules Lister
5. Logical Song at Castlefield Gallery, installation view, 2024. Photographed by Jules Lister

Join us for the launch of our 40 year anniversary programme with the preview of the exhibition 40 Years of the Future: Painting!

📅 Wednesday 20 March 2024, 7:30 - 9pm at Castlefield Gallery
👉 Capacity will be limited. To attend, book your free ticket here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/castlefieldgallery/1132476

This year, Manchester’s much treasured Castlefield Gallery celebrates 40 years. 2024 marks four decades of the gallery nurturing and championing the talent, skills and careers of visual artists, culture and creative independents in Manchester, the North West and beyond!

Join us on 20 March 2024 for the preview of 40 Years of the Future: Painting, exactly 40 years to the day the gallery first opened its doors in 1984 with the remarkable John Hoyland: Recent Paintings.

40 Years of the Future: Painting will bring together large abstract paintings that were either shown or are representative of works exhibited in its first year of programming. The returning artists are Sarah Feinmann, Tricia Gillman, John Hoyland, and Gary Wragg. Each will present past work alongside more recent paintings, and will be joined by four artists based in the North West, tipped as ones to watch by Castlefield Gallery: Jamie Kirk, Robin Megannity, Azraa Motala and Katie Tomlinson.

If you would rather book a timed visit with additional restricted capacity in the gallery and enjoy our new exhibition at your own pace, you can attend our Saturday Slow Preview on 23 March 2024. This is also a chance for you to ask questions to Castlefield Gallery Curator and Deputy Director Matthew Pendergast. Refreshments will be provided.

Book a time slot here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/castlefieldgallery/1132510

📸 Image: Gary Wragg, Skid (1984), detail. Photographed by Paul Tucker, image courtesy of the artist.

Are you an artist seeking professional support and development opportunities? Look no further!

Castlefield Gallery Associates offers exclusive benefits for just £60 a year. As a member, you'll gain access to talks with visiting artists and curators, personalised advisory sessions, and creative workshops. You will also receive regular email updates listing creative opportunities and have the chance to apply for our Members Exhibition!

👉 Learn more and join: https://www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk/associates/

📸 Image: SHOW SEE SAY with Will Marshall at Castlefield Gallery. Photo by Hamza Asim.

The Department of Art, Design & Innovation at the University of Chester has opened their doors to Chester Life Drawing and AA2A Artists in Residence. Some of their artwork will be displayed in The Open Doors Exhibition at Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces: Chester from Friday 2 February to Friday 8 March 2024.

📍 Venue:
CASC at Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces: Chester
Unit 14, Grosvenor Shopping Centre
Chester CH1 1EA

If you're in Liverpool this week, don't miss this event on Thursday 15 February, 6-8pm at Open Eye Gallery!

Can't believe Omid Asadi's amazing solo exhibition is over already!
Missed it? No worries! An interview with Omid Asadi, filmed and edited by Jules Lister, is waiting for you on our YouTube channel!

👉 Click here to watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k32Bli41o9o&t=7s

And remember to join us for the opening of our next exhibition Logical Song, a solo show by Rowland Hill on Thursday 1 February, 6-8pm. No need to book, just come along!

📸 Photos by Jules Lister

We are excited to be working again with Portraits of Recovery and the residents of ANEW recovery centre in Tameside on a new project this year. The team stopped by our latest exhibition and shared their personal and poetic responses to Omid Asadi's work:

"I loved the dandelion seeds, I used to call them ant parachutes, and it brought back a lot of memories from my childhood"

"the rubble gave a sense of broken dreams for me, but dusted in hope with the dandelion seeds"

"a dream of a past remembrance, sometimes vague, ethereal; or a dream of what may have been, of lost maybes"

And don't forget, this weekend is the last chance to see Omid's exhibition!

Join us for the preview of our next exhibition on Thursday 1 February, 6-8pm at Castlefield Gallery! No need to book, just come along!

If you prefer to book a timed visit with additional restricted capacity in the gallery, so you can enjoy our new exhibition at your own pace, come to our Saturday Slow Preview on Saturday 3 February. This is also a chance for you to ask questions to Castlefield Gallery Curator and Deputy Director Matthew Pendergast. Refreshments will be provided.
👉 Book your free tickets on eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/saturday-slow-preview-logical-song-tickets-790150400117?aff=oddtdtcreator

Castlefield Gallery presents Logical Song, Rowland Hill’s first major solo exhibition. Exploring the aesthetics of 1990s Eurodance music, club culture and local fairgrounds, Hill will transform the gallery into an immersive installation which sits between an attraction and an exhibition. Visitors will be invited to enter spaces that move them from the private and domestic to the theatrical and communal, embarking them upon a destabilising journey through a fantasised past to a darker, speculative future.

Exhibition continues: 4 February — 3 March 2024

📸 Rowland Hill, Fluchtpunkt at SOUP (2023). Photo by Will Gillibrand

Do you like what we do?
Remember that you can support us by making a donation!
As a registered charity our work relies on the generosity of our supporters. Your donations are now more vital than ever. Please help us to ensure we can continue to work with, and support artists and our creative communities.

👉 Make a donation: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/8224 #!/DonationDetails

You can also join our Patrons & Guardians scheme. You will have access to a unique programme of trips, talks and events, specifically tailored by our curatorial and programming team to engage with the most exciting and innovative artists, networks and scenes across the region, nationally and internationally!

👉 Learn more and join the scheme: https://www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk/patrons/

📸 Preview of SUBI at Castlefield Gallery. Photo by John Lynch

Don't miss "This is Our Place", an event by CVAN NW in partnership with Culture Warrington.

📅 6 February 2024, 10am - 1pm
📍 Pyramid Arts Centre, Warrington
👉 Book your free tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/this-is-our-place-the-role-of-creativity-in-place-shaping-tickets-777570673817?aff=oddtdtcreator

In partnership with Culture Warrington, CVAN NW will convene a half-day event, that will pick up threads of discussion highlighted during the online event ‘This is my place’ earlier this year while offering new insights into enabling cross-sector place-based work.

Using specific examples relating to Warrington’s ambitions as a priority place for ‘levelling-up culture’, there will also be additional presentations to aid conversations and form practical connections between those within the room.

Keynote speakers include:
- Sarie Mairs Slee, Strategic Lead for the Northern Place and Culture Partnership, part of NP11 on The role of culture for the north
- John Laverick, Managing Director Warrington & Co on The Warrington Perspective: how we are working creatively in place-shaping.
- Greville Kelly, Director at Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside on How we ignite town centres and communities within the north west: the role of culture, creativity & artists.
- Leah Biddle, Cultural Manager at Culture Warrington and Artist Sarah Harris will give a provocation for the room: How do we work regeneratively?

This event is part of the Contemporary Visual Arts Network North West’s ongoing research and development focused on artists’ and organisations’ activity in the region.

📸 Image: Artist Sarah Harris in New Art Spaces: Warrington, photo by Jules Lister