Art & Culture

Iconic Manchester artist Stanley Chow is hosting an exhibition of his famous portraits in Chorlton

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 31st January 2024

Much-loved Manc artist Stanley Chow is hosting an exclusive exhibition of his iconic portraits and illustrations of famous faces at a Greater Manchester arts institution.

Stanley Chow, best known for his geometric art that has become a contemporary and instantly recognisable style all of its own, is probably one of the most notable British artists around right now and it goes without saying that he’s a favourite of ours too.

So when we heard that he was displaying an exhibition of some of his most famous works — quite literally, in this case — over in Chorlton, we didn’t hesitate to share the news.

Showcasing illustrations and his trademark minimalist, vector-based portraits at none other than The Edge Theatre and Arts Centre on Manchester Road, some of Stan’s most notable designs will be on show, spotlighting familiar faces and household names from the stage and screen.

The special exhibition in Chorlton will run from Thursday, 15 February to Thursday, 30 May and is built around Chow’s personally curated collection of actors from the stage, film and television.

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Including takes on several BAFTA, Emmy, Olivier and Oscar winners, the exhibit will also feature the three patrons of The Edge: Sir Mark Rylance, Julie Hesmondhalgh and John Thomson.

Having been in the business for more than 30 years now, Stan has been involved in many areas within design and illustration, even being

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A post shared by Stanley Chow (@stan_chow)

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” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”>involved with Manchester United’s latest kit launch and player unveilings, but he is undoubtedly best known for his distinctive portraiture of pop stars, actors, sports personalities and more celebrities.

So it’s a good job that’s what’ll be on show at The Edge, isn’t it?

kes the film artwork
Kes
stanley chow celebrity prints
X-Files
stanley chow portraits
Dorothy in The Wizard of the Oz
Stanley Chow has a permanent exhibition at Hotel Football but this is the first (Credit: Stanley Chow/supplied)

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This will be the first time Stan has focused his attention specifically on a collection round stage and screen, stating: “I had a lot of fun looking through my back catalogue to find the images that would work in the lovely space offered to me at The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre and it’ll be the first time my design of Sir Mark Rylance will be shown in public.”

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As for the theatre itself, Artistic Director Janine Waters said, “We are thrilled to have such a local legend bringing his work to The Edge, and this exhibition promises to be a very special one.

“We are particularly excited to see Stan’s unique take on our patrons, alongside some other familiar faces. It is a privilege to have his work on show in our building in the heart of Chorlton.”

While tickets for the exclusive opening night preview have now sold out, you can go along to see tickets to see the exhibition from mid-March until the end of May. To hear more about why The Edge has become such a cultural site over the past decade, you can hear Rylance waxing lyrical about it here:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Supplied/Stanley Chow (via Instagram)

Art & Culture

Science and Industry Museum reveals CGIs of iconic Power Hall that’s been closed for years

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Science and Industry Museum reveals CGIs of iconic Power Hall that's been closed for years

One of the Science and Industry Museum’s most iconic attractions will reopen this summer – and the beloved museum has revealed a sneak peak of how things will look.

The museum has shared CGIs of the reimagined Power Hall: The Law Family Gallery, where visitors will be able to explore a lively working gallery full of engines and rail vehicles.

The popular part of the museum closed for urgent repairs in 2019 and has since been undergoing conservation work and a new look created by award-winning designers Studio MUTT.

The sounds, smells and sights of Manchester’s past and present industry will be brought to the Power Hall when it reopens.

Visitors will soon again be able to rediscover objects and learn the stories behind those who powered Manchester’s industry.

There’ll be three main themes within the Power Hall – Making More, which will explore how engines helped people make more, faster, with steam engines installed at factories and mills.

Then there’ll be Powering Lives, which will examine how engines power the electricity network we all plug into every day.

And also Connecting Places, which looks at how locomotives have connected communities around the world, starting at the site of the museum which sparked a transport revolution in 1830.

Science and Industry Museum reveals CGIs of iconic Power Hall that’s been closed for years

Kate Chatfield, Interpretation and Content Manager at the Science and Industry Museum, said: “Power Hall: The Law Family Gallery will be a must-see Manchester experience – a living gallery that showcases a unique collection of historic 19th and early 20th century working engines to tell the story of Manchester as an epicentre for the engine-driven ideas and industry that shaped the world as we know it today.

“Our most iconic objects will be available to explore like never before as we bring to life the people behind the power through stories of the engineers, makers and technicians who use their skills and senses to create and care for engines, both today and in the past.”

The work on the Power Hall is part of a multi-million-pound regeneration project across the Science and Industry Museum, which is conserving and reimagining these historic buildings.

The Power Hall has been future-proofed in the six years it’s been closed to the public, including urgent roof and timber repairs.

Further information about what to see and do and the Power Hall’s opening date will be announced in the coming weeks. Sign up to the museum’s mailing list to be among the first to hear more.

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Power Hall: The Law Family Gallery project has been made possible with support from The Law Family Charitable Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Headley Trust, Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Atmos International, The Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust, The Zochonis Charitable Trust and other donors who choose to remain anonymous.

Special thanks to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for their significant contribution to the gallery, and to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for funding the decarbonisation of the Power Hall through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by Salix Finance.

Featured image: Supplied

Art & Culture

A charity auction is selling memorabilia from the ACTUAL Peaky Blinders set

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Peaky Blinders super-fans get ready, because there’s a charity auction is currently open and items worn by the stars of the iconic TV series are up for grabs.

This exclusive event gives bidders the chance to own a piece of modern-day TV history in the form of not just merchandise but authentic memorabilia.

Let’s be honest, we’ve all wanted to pull on a flat cap and pretend we were a gangster at one point in our lives, and what better way to do so and relive your Peaky Blinders fantasy than by doing so with one from the show? Especially since you know your money is going towards a good cause.

Whether you want to look as dapper as Tommy Shelby, or you just want to add a culture-soaked collector’s item to your, well, collection, you might want to check this one if you’re a big Peaky fan.

Maybe you could own something from this very picture at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.
Maybe you could own something from this very picture at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.
Walk away feeling dapper as ever with exclusive merchandise up for grabs at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.
Walk away feeling dapper as ever with exclusive merchandise up for grabs at the Peaky Blinders charity auction event.
Credit: BBC

Anyone planning on going to the Peaky Blinders charity auction event can bid in person or even register to bid online now if you won’t be free during the proceedings.

As for what is on the table, you could raise your virtual paddle for everything from a full suit worn by Cillian Murphy himself to Sam Claflin’s homburg hat, a pair of Michael Gray (Finn Cole) shiny shoes and much more.

You can find a full list of the items available for auction online, as the bidding commenced this month and will officially close on 20 May with a special tie-in event.

And where else to hold said event and than Manchester’s very own Peaky Blinders bar on Peter Street just off the main Deansgate strip, where the action will culminate in a flamboyant and free-to-all event.

Those attending in person will be greeted with a welcome drink before being encouraged to join in with the final day of the auction – guests are encouraged to turn up in ‘true Shelby style’ of course.

All the funds raised will go towards the much-loved NHS foundation and specialist hospital, The Christie, Europe’s largest cancer centre, right here in Manchester.

Peaky Blinders bar on Peter St in Manchester city centre.
Everyone knows the Peaky Blinders like a drink.

Tickets for this event cost nothing, but there is an option to add an additional donation if you wish, and bidding on items taken from the cult favourite TV show is open to everyone.

This isn’t the only claim to fame this Manchester-based centre has as just last month a breast cancer study at The Christie set up by Girls Aloud star and Stockport-born, Sarah Harding, helped save 80 women. Now that’s leaving a legacy.

Once again, the final day of the Peaky Blinders charity auction event is taking place on Tuesday, 20 May from 6-10pm, and tickets are completely free.

Sign up for yours below HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — GoodFon/BBC

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