In pictures: Greater Manchester’s largest open art exhibition opens its doors

Walk around Manchester’s city centre arts centre HOME today and you will discover almost 500 pieces of hand-selected art adorning the walls and gallery space. It is part of Greater Manchester’s largest open art exhibition being held in the city until the end of April.

Taking place every two years, the Open Exhibition is the biggest public celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative and artistic talent. Running until 28 April, the walls of HOME are currently filled with 480 artworks selected by a panel of art experts and community representatives.

Spanning everything from painting, print, photography, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, video, audio and performance from artists that range in age from the ages of 5 to 83, the exhibition seeks to bring together established professionals, students, graduates, communities, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs and first-time artists.

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Clarissa Corfe, HOME’s Creative producer: Visual Art, said: “2024 is going to be a truly exciting year for Manchester Open. The breadth and quality of work entered has made for an inspiring and stimulating selection process and I’m convinced that in the exhibition there will be something for everybody.”

Over 1,800 submissions were made for the 2024 Open, the highest number of submissions ever received. Many of the artists featured in the third iteration of the exhibition are from Greater Manchester as well, further spotlighting some of the amazing artistic talent from across the region.

“It’s good to have exhibitions and open calls like this because it gives me a chance to focus on my own work,” says Tinuke Fagborun, an illustrator based in the North West. “Opportunities like this help me find the time and the space to actually think about what I want to create”.

Her piece, entitled ‘Connection’, is inspired by mushrooms and the role they play in the wider ecosystem, but also the communities built by women. “It can be difficult to get your work in galleries so exhibitions like this to give artists the chance to have their work seen, especially if you are just starting out.

“There’s such a diverse range of art here too, and it’s nice to have a big gallery like this in the centre of Manchester where people can create, show and share their work. It’s great that it’s free as well as there’s no barriers to the wider community to come in and enjoy art.”

Another artist exhibiting this year is Fleur Yearsley, who is originally from Stockport. Her piece, ‘Packs a Punch’, explores a traditional fruit bowl painting and expands on this to comment more widely on consumerism in the 21st Century.

“I think to be part of a show that celebrates what the North has to offer and being part of that makes me feel very proud,” says Fleur. “Exhibitions such as this are so important as it creates a great platform for artists, and also allows the public to engage and respond to it and enjoy it.”

As part of the exhibition there are a number of Professional Development Awards that are delivered in partnership with Castlefield Gallery, a HOME award that leads to a solo exhibition in the Granada Foundation Galleries at HOME and the Manchester Open People’s Choice Award, which is voted for by exhibition visitors. Each of the winners will also receive a trophy which ceramicist and designer Joe Hartley from Stockport has been commissioned to create especially for the exhibition.

As the People’s Choice Award is voted for by visitors, those who come along to the gallery over the next few weeks can vote by heading over to one of the Manchester Open volunteers or invigilators and vote for their favourite three works.

Manchester Open is running until Saturday, 28 April at HOME. Its is free to attend.

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