Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has set up a special sport-based art exhibition in the National Football Museum.
Spotlighting work by fine artist Michael Browne, who created a series of pieces exploring the relationship between sport, art and modern society, the new exhibition covers everything from “human rights, equality, injustice, the impact of power and elevations to a godlike status.”
Cantona has never been one to shy away from his icon status.
Entitled ‘From Moss Side to Marseille’ – referencing Browne and Cantona’s respective places of birth – the exhibition was commissioned by the Frenchman with the aim of celebrating influenced sporting heroes who used their positions to advocate for social change, even in the face of great personal cost.
Michael Browne and Eric Cantona unveiling the new exhibitCantona and Sir Alex, a.k.a. The King and The BossCredit: National Football Museum
Browne has been creating art since he was a child and his talent was quickly recognised, going on to study at the Chelsea School of Art before completing a Master’s at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has gone on to enjoy exhibits all across the UK, earning him public and critical acclaim.
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Having grown up locally and as a football fan, it was hard for Manchester’s rich sporting heritage not to find its way into his. Similar to fellow artist Stanley Chow, Browne soon became known for his use of sporting figures in his art, though he favours a neoclassical style over polygon-heavy geometric pop art.
Though both the man himself and football feature heavily throughout the installation, the significance of key sporting and cultural icons like Muhammad Ali, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph and more are also highlighted.
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Maradona and the Western Wall (2020)
Algeria Counter-Revolution (2021)
The Art of the Game (1997)
England and Brazil Real-estate and Human Rights (2019)
Muhammad Ali Freedom Without a Crown (2018)
John Carlos and Tommy Smith for 30 Pieces of Silver (2018)
Wilma Rudolph Throne of Impermanence. A letter to my Future (2022)
Carlos Caszely Theatre of Nightmares (2021)
Jesse Owens Scales of Injustice (2017)
Eric Cantona Family Portrait (2022)
As for his connection with Cantona, the two influential Mancunian figures struck up a friendship back in 1996, when Browne began working on his famous The Art of the Game painting, which chronicled Cantona’s return to football after his infamous ban. Something about a kung-fu kick?
Debuting on Saturday, 14 January, each piece is said to be ‘oversized’ and inspired by a different sports story throughout history, as well as making a statement about the associated athlete behind it, so there’s plenty to get stuck into.
Visitors will not only get to find out more about Brown and Cantona’s unique relationship through the lens of the exhibition, but they will also get to look at never before seen items from his personal archive.
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Better still, the National Footy Museum will be providing a whole host of activities in conjunction with the exhibition, including a performance by comedy duo Fan/Girl, life drawing sessions, a make-your-own ‘King Eric’ crown during half-term and lots more.
The National Football Museum has announced a new, thought-provoking exhibition jointly curated by artist @mjbfineart & France & Man Utd legend, Eric Cantona.
Writing in a statement on the museum’s website, Michael Browne said: “It has been a pleasure working in partnership with the National Football Museum to curate this exhibition, and it is very fitting for the collection to be debuted in Manchester.”
Cantona touched on his great excitement for the work to finally be seen all in one place, remarking: “There are many unsung heroes featured in the collection and it is time their stories are told.”
Admission is absolutely free, you only need to grab your tickets from the website HERE.
Featured Image — National Football Museum/Michael Browne
Art & Culture
Corn Exchange has a cute new vending machine strictly for pre-loved books
Danny Jones
Every now and again we stumble across a clever little idea and we think ‘why hasn’t someone thought of this idea before?’ That was definitely the case when heard about Corn Exchange’s new vending machine for books.
Having appeared in the popular city centre food hall and trader spot only earlier this week, most people might be unaware of the Corn Exchange‘s fun new initiative and some people might have walked straight past it without noticing what’s actually in it — yet another reason we love stuff like this.
The concept is called ‘Read. Swap. Repeat.’ and the idea is to not only keep people reading when they come into the city or are perhaps staying here in the likes of the Corn Exchange, but also to provide a home for pre-loved books with an added incentive.
It’s a great little idea, isn’t it? You even get a free bookmark for your trouble.
As you can see, all you need to use the vending machine is to bring a book with you, ask a member of staff for a token and then select which generously donated second-hand read you want to select for yourself.
Beyond just being a cool and interesting way to entertain local book lovers and hopefully get more people reading again, it’s also good for the environment as it provides yet another outlet for people to donate their old texts without any waste.
So, if you’re looking for a new read or looking to share one of your favourite old books with someone else, why not give it a try?
Manchester to be filled with fresh blooms as annual Flower Festival returns this summer
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to become one of the most picturesque places in the UK this summer, as the city gets dressed up in celebration of the annual Flower Show.
Back by popular demand for its fifth year, the four-day festival – which is often dubbed the “most Instagramable event of the year” – will see Manchester bloom to life and be draped from head to toe in magnificent floral displays.
Plants and flowers will be seen covering landmark buildings, shop windows, doorways, balconies, statues, fountains, and more right across the city centre.
Taking place over the late May bank holiday, festival organisers say to expect a “fabulous floral spectacle” – with a dedicated ‘Manchester in Flowers’ floral trail gearing up to be the star of this year’s show, and several other stunning show gardens and green installations all set to weave through central streets.
Manchester to be filled with fresh blooms as annual Flower Festival returns this summer / Credit: The Manc Group
Organised annually by Manchester BID, the festival usually sees tens of thousands of people flock to the city centre – and this year will be no different.
With the event now only a few months away, festival organisers are on the hunt for budding and professional gardeners, florists, landscapers, businesses, charities, community groups, and schools across the region to be part of the celebrations.
Manchester Flower Festival is known for offering both seasoned and aspiring gardeners the chance to showcase their talent, while helping to create “a unique floriated experience across the city” – with opportunities open this year to lend a hand with large-scale headline gardens and displays, floristry displays, and smaller ‘Bijou’ gardens.
The annual event gives both seasoned and aspiring gardeners the chance to showcase their talents / Credit: Manchester BID
Local traders can also sign-up to sell the Festival Market, which will feature everything from plants, and produce, to garden decor, street food, art, and so much more.
Businesses in the city centre are also being encouraged to show their support for the festival by creating window, building, or in-store displays, and hosting dedicated events, and food and drinks specials.
Volunteers are also needed to help at this year’s event, with festival organisers promising the chance to “gain valuable experience” and enjoy being part of the team at one of the city’s annual flagship events.
Find out more about Manchester Flower Festival 2023 here.
Danny Jones -
16th January 2023 
