Hidden down alleyways and in the nooks and crannies of Manchester’s walls, in the heat of yesterday two local artists were busy squirreling away precious pieces of art to brighten the days of their fellow Mancs.
Michah Purnell, a text-based artist well known for the typographic work that took over Wembley Park during the Euros, and Rachel Ho, a ceramicist inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, have each created 120 miniature pieces for the public to find in the city over the coming week.
Image: Supplied
These come in the form of gold-scarred ceramic pots, deliberately slashed and filled with gold lustre, and a series of oak engravings that read ‘You Are Enough’ – a phrase of Micah’s that has frequently appeared on giant banners and billboards across Manchester in recent years.
The scarred pots were originally inspired by a dear friend of Rachel’s who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Rachel wanted her to know that her scars were beautiful because they told her story which was one of courage, hope and healing.
From now to 29 July, the artists will each be going out daily to conceal their pieces in hard-to-spot places in the hopes they will be found and kept as gifts by the people of Manchester.
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Image: Supplied
Each piece will also be accompanied by an invitation for the finder to share the circumstances in which it was found and how the discovery of the piece resonated with them.
Although the trail has only been going for a day, there are already comments – all anonymous – on the website from people who have discovered the pieces.
One person shared how Rachel’s scarred pots gave them comfort as they healed from breast cancer surgery, writing: “The scarred pot, an ingenious project. It resonated with me as I continue to embrace my recovery and healing from recent breast cancer surgery. Thank you!”
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Another said: “I love the ridges I can feel from it being thrown on the wheel, and the brightness of the gold-filled scar. The scars of my depression are invisible, but still a part of who I am. Thank you, for brightening up my day.”
The project aims to help people feel seen and less alone, to recognise we all have our daily battles and to create a sense of hope and healing.
The Passion Art project, entitled ‘Gift to the City’, is dedicated to founder Lesley Sutton, who, after five years of living with terminal illness, is drawing very close to the end of this life.
Lesley founded Passion Art to build bridges between sacred and secular spaces through art. She is as beautiful in dying as she has been in living.
Image: Supplied
Speaking on the project, artist Micah, whose clients include The Guardian, Elbow and the NHS, said: “I hope the phrase You Are Enough will help people to cut themselves some slack from the ever demanding voices in society and recognise the spark of beauty in themselves.”
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“My work is a lot about togetherness and self-worth. The oak reminders are made by Chapel-in-the-fields who use wood as a vehicle to work with people who have mental health vulnerabilities.”
With today forecast to be the hottest day on record, it might not be the best time to go out and about hunting for tiny pieces of hidden artwork – but don’t worry, because new pieces will be added daily between now and Friday 29 July, giving you plenty of opportunity to find one once the heatwave has subsided.
Feature image – Supplied
News
Man jailed for 10 years after raping ‘extremely vulnerable’ woman in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed after being found guilty of raping an ‘extremely vulnerable’ woman multiple times in Manchester city centre.
Benjamin Wilson, of Norwood Avenue in Chesterfield, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after being found guilty of offences committed in Manchester city centre back in June 2022, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed.
The victim – who was described as being ‘extremely vulnerable and intoxicated’ – plucked up the courage to go on a night out with friends in Manchester, however she became separated from them and was later subjected to a serious sexual assault, which was linked to a suspected drink spiking.
During the evening, the victim – whose identity has been withheld – and her friend believed their drinks had been tampered with, and she later found herself alone, heavily intoxicated, and extremely vulnerable, before she came into contact with Wilson near a takeaway.
Wilson took advantage of the situation, guiding her into a taxi before repeatedly raping her at a flat in Manchester.
The following morning, he dropped her near the hotel where she had been due to stay with her friend, and she proceeded to report the incident to police shortly afterwards.
A man has been jailed for 10 years after raping an ‘extremely vulnerable’ woman in Manchester city centre / Credit: GMP
From the outset, investigators said they faced ‘significant challenges’ – including limited early forensic opportunities and issues securing CCTV footage, all while needing to prioritise the victim’s wellbeing.
Hundreds of hours of work went into analysing witness accounts, financial and phone data, intelligence checks, and overcoming cross-force barriers leading to Wilson’s arrest in Derbyshire.
“The case was ultimately built through meticulous investigation, persistence, and, crucially, the strength and courage of the victim’s testimony,” GMP said.
Speaking following Wilson’s sentencing this week, DC Phillip Sargeant, of GMP’s Longsight CID, commented: “I am awestruck not only by the courage of the victim in coming forward, but also by her patience and resilience in waiting for justice.
“The impact on her, her family and her support network has been profound.
“I hope today’s sentence provides some measure of closure and enables them to move on from this traumatic experience.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Council sets out plans to rework busy Manchester junction after ‘serious safety concerns’
Emily Sergeant
Bold new plans to transform one of Manchester’s busiest junctions following ‘serious’ safety concerns have been unveiled.
All the way back in 2022, Manchester City Council identified the junction of Wilmslow Road with Ladybarn Road and Sherwood Street as an area that would ‘greatly benefit’ from upgraded infrastructure.
As a major route into Manchester, and an important route cutting through the city’s southern neighbourhoods, this junction sees a vast amount of road, cyclist, and foot traffic every day… and because of this, there are also said to be ‘serious concerns’ around safety when it comes to this particular stretch of road.
In a five year period between 2018 and 2023 alone, there were 15 collisions at this junction, the Council explained – with two of these classified as ‘serious’.
Under the plans – which have been announced by the Council this week – the junction is to be partially redesigned, creating several new and safer crossing points for cyclists and pedestrians, a more ‘seamless’ route along the current cycling lanes, and overall, just general improvements to the layout.
🚧 Wilmslow Rd Junction Improvements 🚲 Works start 18 May 2026 at Wilmslow Rd / Ladybarn Rd / Sherwood St to make the junction safer for pedestrians & cyclists. ✅ New cycle lanes ✅ Safer crossings ✅ Better links to the Fallowfield Loop 🔗 https://t.co/Y26mH7cc8Epic.twitter.com/IiOih5ehqp
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) May 11, 2026
Some of the safety features set to be included are three dedicated crossing points for pedestrians at the junction, rumble strips for cyclists at pedestrian crossing points, and improved signage and road markings.
Work is due to begin as early as next Monday (18 May), and will run until January 2027.
The work is set to be carried out in four phases, the Council has confirmed – with the first phase of these works comprising of the removal of street furniture, kerbs and tarmac, as well as upgrades to the drainage and road markings.
“This junction in particular sees a high volume of traffic – from cars, cyclists and pedestrians, commented Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council.
“So it was clear that improvements were required following our engagement with local residents.
“As has been the case with other schemes like this in Manchester, safety remains our number one priority.
“We have long said that we want Manchester to be a city where people can walk and cycle around in safety, and by upgrading this junction and improving its crossing points, we are taking another step towards that goal.”
Georgina Pellant -
19th July 2022 
