If you happen to spot a Gauguin, Turner or Picasso masterpiece the next time you’re out and about in Manchester, there’s no need to do a double take! Exact-size reproductions of work from the internationally renowned Whitworth Art Gallery collection are now on display at a number of schools, colleges, community centres and meeting places in and around Manchester.
Thirteen community venues - including the Ladybarn Community Centre, Zion Arts Centre and Pankhurst Centre - were given a unique opportunity to choose an artwork to be reproduced from the Whitworth’s collection. The centres chose works which they felt had particular resonance with their community, mission and values.
Each professionally-mounted and framed reproduction has been hung in unusual and unexpected spaces within each venue; instigating debate, discussion and reflection from its community members and visitors.
Ladybarn Community Centre in Fallowfield chose a Japanese print by Hiroshige Utagawa entitled One Hundred Famous Views of Edo (1856). The centre’s manager Margret Smith said: "We selected this particular work because it represents the idea of ‘community’.
"It’s really got people talking about art, and reminded everyone that we should go to galleries more often. We’ve decided we’re going to move it around the centre in different locations so people can encounter it unexpectedly and talk about what it means to them. I can’t wait to go and see the original in the Whitworth."
Laura Ferguson, Learning and Interpretation Assistant at The Whitworth Art Gallery said: "Whilst the gallery was emptied in preparation for Manchester International Festival, we really wanted to involve the local community by giving them access to our collections.
"We came up with the idea of reproducing chosen masterpieces which we could then take directly out into the local area for everyone to enjoy. We worked with local organisations to help them choose an artwork that they felt struck a chord with the work they do. It’s been a great success and we’re keen to build on the relationships we’ve made with our local communities through this project."
The reproduced works have been permanently handed over to the organisations. It is hoped that the project will encourage local communities to go and see the original works at the Whitworth Art Gallery, and to develop a sense of pride in – and relationship with - their local gallery and its art collection.
To find out more about Whitworth Art Gallery visit www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth.
