Local artist Michael Browne recently debuted another striking new work in central Manchester following his much-talked-about Donald Trump painting.
And if you’ve seen that one, you’ll know that’s quite the statement.
The 62-year-old Moss Side-born artist has enjoyed an increased level of popularity since and his statement piece and de-facto political cartoon following the result of the 2025 US presidential election popped up on the corner of Deansgate earlier this year.
Now, just a couple of months on from his piece’s debut, Browne is back with another painting loaded with historical and social material that serves as a commentary on contemporary UK culture.
Taking a rather stark look not only at the British Empire and global politics – subjects he’s already flirted with plenty in the past – this towering new painting is entitled Sovereign Servant.
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Designed to be a thought-provoking reflection on the legacy of the Empire and its impact on modern UK society as we know it today, it takes stylistic inspiration from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres’ The Apotheosis of Homer, as seen at the Louvre.
Reimagining Britain’s colonial history, controversial impact across the globe; economic exploitation and ever-evolving national identity in a vibrant and truly eye-catching multi-character portrait.
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Several faces can picked out from the crowd, including two very obvious royals smack back in the middle of the picture, but other standout aspects include Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster as the backdrop, as well as the high contrast colour palette.
All set on the deck of a ship in the most obvious nod towards the nation’s naval fleet and centuries of colonialism, not to mention a swirling stormy sky, there is a real sense of movement to the image even with so many figures standing straight towards the viewer.
Credit: Supplied
Unveiled to the public in a special event featuring a live Q&A at the museum, as well as a series of drop-in sessions with Browne himself last week, his latest neo-classical creation certainly left an impression.
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Speaking on its reveal, Browne said: “As a mixed heritage man from the North, I have often compared London’s royal heritage and standing as the centre of the British Empire with Manchester’s working-class heritage born out of industrial hard labour.
“I couldn’t resist juxtaposing these themes within one visual arena, contrasting the British desire for one overarching identity and the reality of a thriving multicultural society. I wanted to revisit those triumphant depictions of Empire to present a vision of how it appears to me today.”
Soon to be moved to the same shop window where his Trump painting is currently sat, it’s certainly something worth seeing up close for yourselves and don’t worry, it’ll be hard to miss.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 16 – 22 June 2025
Emily Sergeant
Parklife weekend has been and gone, so you may very well be thinking the rest of the month will be a little more chill?
Think again…
It is summer after all, so as you’d probably expect, there’s absolutely no shortage of things for the whole family to be getting up to in Greater Manchester this month – we’re talking festivals, themed events, new foodie openings, and loads more on the horizon in the coming weeks.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries.
We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide, both free things, and those that’ll set you back a few pennies too.
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Stories – Brought To Life
MediaCityUK
Monday 16 June – 31 August
Stories – Brought To Life / Credit: The Manc Group
A major new National Portrait Gallery exhibition has arrived in Salford.
The ground-breaking new experience by FRAMELESS Creative has opened at MediaCity, bringing some of the world’s most famous portraits to life like never before.
Stories – Brought to Life will explore the fascinating lives of these figures, who have shaped the UK’s history and culture all the way since the Tudor period, and will combine the highest quality digital projection, Hollywood-style visual effects, and the latest audio technology, along with specially created musical scores and creative narratives to shine a new light on each individual.
Visitors will be able to step inside iconic portraits including Grayson Perry, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Emmeline Pankhurst, Queen Elizabeth I, and William Shakespeare.
Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You / Credit: Science Museum Group
You can plunge headfirst into the incredible world of our senses at a new immersive museum exhibition that’s now arrived at the Science and Industry Museum.
Back by popular demand after a successful run over these past two years, but with a fresh new adventure lined up for 2025, Operation Ouch! is giving you the chance to journey through an ear canal covered in gooey wax, squeeze past sticky snot, and delve deeper into how our brains interpret the world.
Tickets to Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You are now on sale, and visitors are being told to prepare themselves for an “epic exploration of the senses”.
An award-winning play about the England men’s national football team is playing outside of London for the first time ever, and Greater Manchester has been chosen as the lucky location.
The National Theatre’s smash-hit production of writer James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning play, Dear England, has started its four-week run at the legendary The Lowry in Salford, and audiences have a chance to catch it up until 29 June.
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Directed by the Almeida Theatre’s Artistic Director, Rupert Goold, Dear England tells the story of the England men’s football team under former manager, Gareth Southgate.
Did you see that the world’s biggest JD store has now opened over at the Trafford Centre?
That’s right, the biggest in the WORLD.
If you didn’t see it all over your socials at the weekend, then you may have missed the fact that JD opened its new flagship store here in Greater Manchester, and they managed to get some real star power in to do the grand opening honours in the shape of the lads from the Beta Squad, and none other than certified sporting legend Usain Bolt.
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Spanning more than 43,000 sq ft, the new mega store is home to global brands including Nike, Adidas, Puma, The North Face, and JD exclusives like Unlike Humans.
There’s also a special station there too for hand-crafted footwear, the adidas barbershop, and adidas originals market, a gaming zone, and SO much more.
How about the fact that Popeyes has been giving out 10,000 cajun hash browns for free this weekend?
And there’s still one day left to get feasting.
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Once the madness of Parklife this weekend has been and gone, we don’t think anyone could’ve come up with a better solution for a two-day, dance-ridden, drink-fuelled weekender than a lorry load of free Popeyes cajun hash browns.
The Louisiana fried chicken chain will be parked up and dishing out thousands of these glorious golden treats all weekend, and right through to Monday morning too, so don’t miss out.
Clocking Manchester: 130 Years in the City’s Evolving Skyline
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
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Monday 16 June – onwards
Clocking Manchester: 130 Years in the City’s Evolving Skyline / Credit: Supplied
A new free exhibition is now open allowing visitors to open the door into the rich history of one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings the Refuge Assurance Building, which is now the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.
Clocking Manchester: 130 Years in the City’s Evolving Skyline has transformed the walls of the hotel’s Refuge bar and dining space to chart the building’s remarkable journey, from its beginnings in 1895 to its current life as one of the city’s most loved luxury hotels.
Alongside the story of the building itself, the exhibition also highlights the people who have shaped the building over the decades.
National Trust – Sky Gardening Challenge / Credit: The Manc Group
It’s time to get your green thumbs out, as the National Trust has challenged city dwellers to ‘green’ their balconies this summer.
We know the city is a little lacking in greenspace, so why not bring the greenspace to you? If you need some tips and tricks on how to get a little greener, and what plants would work best in your mini oasis, then you can grab yourself booklets, seeds.
Plus, they’re also running free workshops across Greater Manchester.
Oh and hey, if you think you’ve got a bloomin’ lovely balcony, then you can now enter the National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge and be in with the chance of winning some exciting prizes.
Kargo on the Docks / Credit: Supplied | Mark Waugh
Kargo on the Docks is back for the summer.
MediaCity’s al fresco dining pop-up has taken over the waterfront and gardens once again with a fresh wave of local food traders and stunning artwork by Salford-based creatives, all as the sun shines down on Salford Quays this summer.
A handful of Greater Manchester’s most popular independents have set themselves up Quayside inside those signature re-imagined shipping containers.
Foodies can expect a menu packed with bold new flavours including Caribbean, Lebanese, Mexican, Ethiopian, and Pan-Asian dishes.
Did you see that Manchester Museum has been named European Museum of the Year for 2025?
Talk about a prestigious title.
Yes that’s right, congratulations are in order, because Manchester Museum – which is part of The University of Manchester (UoM) – has received one of the most prestigious museum awards in the world, the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA).
Not only that, but it’s made history in doing so too, as it’s the first university museum to ever receive the annual prize.
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Manchester Museum has been named the European Museum of the Year for 2025 / Credit: Manchester Museum
It beat out 41 other cultural hubs across the continent to claim the coveted prize.
Operated by the European Museum Forum (EMF), EMYA recognises new or redeveloped museums that showcase the best in excellence and innovation in their field.
The city’s most energetic live art event, Art Battle MCR, is back this week.
Set to take over Stretford Mall, in what is one of the last opportunities to explore the complex after hours and experience the building like never before, the space will be transformed into an artistic battle zone for 10 talented painters, who’ll have half an hour to create a masterpiece in front of a live audience.
It’s an evening of fast-paced art and entertainment, featuring painters, illustrators, tattooists, street artists, and other creatives in a head-to-head spectacle like no other.
Prestwich Pride – Queer Comedy Night / Credit: Supplied
Prestwich Pride is hosting its own Queer Comedy Night this week.
Although Prestwich Pride will be here in all its glory later this summer, as part of Pride Month, on Friday 20 June, the organisation is putting on its second Queer Comedy Night and the lineup includes familiar local faces – including Manchester comedians Josh Jones, and Brennan Reece
Last year was a sold-out show, and organisers are hoping this year will be exactly the same, especially as it’s all in aid of charity – with proceeds going to George House Trust, Rainbow Noir, and Trans Mutual Aid.
YUM! – Your Urmston Matters / Credit: Emma Boyle (via Supplied)
Following the success of last year’s tasty debut, Urmston’s very-own independent food and drink festival, YUM! – Your Urmston Matters, is back for its second serving this weekend, and will once again be transforming the Trafford town’s M41 site on Railway Road into a buzzing hub of ‘flavour, fun, and local pride’.
This community celebration will bring together top local street food vendors, artisan producers, and drink retailers, alongside live cooking demos, family activities, and loads of entertainment.
Little Mancs who love LEGO can take part in some interactive building workshops in Greater Manchester this Sunday.
Aimed at young creators aged six to 12, the workshops – which will take place down at the Trafford Centre, as well as online for those who can’t make it in person – will be botanical themed, and will focus on igniting imagination and nurturing children’s social skills.
Led by expert Brick Specialists, kids will get a guided interactive experience that sparks curiosity, encourages creativity, and fosters a deeper appreciation for the beauty of plants and nature.
Manchester’s National Football Museum to screen England’s Euro 2025 matches for free this summer
Emily Sergeant
England’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 matches are to be shown on big screens for free in Manchester this summer.
As England women’s national football team look to retain their title and continue to build on their ever-growing success as one of the best national football teams in the world, Manchester‘s National Football Museum is set to host a series of family-friendly watch parties after hours for the UEFA Women’s Euros this summer.
Visitors of all ages are welcome to support and celebrate England as they kick-off their campaign against France in the group stages on 5 July, followed by matches against the Netherlands on 9 July, and Wales on 13 July.
As Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses head to Switzerland with the hopes of being crowned European champions, you can head to the National Football Museum for some safe and inclusive fun.
Not only will the matches be shown in all their glory for free on a big screen, but you can also expect an on-site bar, and even the option to pre-order pizza ahead of time to feast on while you’re watching the action.
Watch parties will be taking place at the National Football Museum on the following dates:
France v England – 5 July at 8pm
England v Netherlands – 9 July at 5pm
England v Wales – 13 July at 8pm
To mark the beginning of the tournament, the museum will also be hosting a vibrant weekend of events on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July, so get ready to strike a pose in Lionesses’ kits, create your own dazzling banner, and drum-up support with your very own chant.
Manchester’s National Football Museum is screening England’s Euro 2025 matches for free this summer / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“This promises to be an exciting summer for football,” said Tim Desmond, who is the CEO of the National Football Museum.
“We want to bring the powerful sense of community that tournament football delivers to our museum, helping both new and returning visitors understand why football matters, and witness the impact our pioneering Lionesses can have in inspiring generations of budding young footballers.
“That’s why we are so delighted to be able to offer watch parties for this year’s tournament, providing a safe, inclusive, and exciting place for all fans to cheer on England.”
Featured Image – Molly Darlington / The FA (via England on Facebook)
Danny Jones -
19th March 2025 
