Hosting our In Manchester exhibition in May-June of this year was amazing; a true celebration of the diversity, brilliance, and artistic talent that Manchester has to offer. We invited students, artists and professionals living across Greater Manchester to exhibit their work, and we were overwhelmed (in a good way!) by the response.
The exhibition showcased everything from large-scale paintings and photography to sculptures and textile pieces. Set on the sixth floor of 100 Barbirolli Square, we were perfectly situated in the heart of Manchester with impressive 360 views over the city below.
One of the pieces on display was Colourful Journey, an expressive painting created by Abby Etchells, Michael Adjeman, Lucie Nightingall and Michael Atherton during an ‘opportunities session’ with the charity My Life.
Drawing inspiration from the spring flowers at the charity’s 84-acre countryside site, the piece was created using a recycled 3D canvas and acrylic paints, a reflection of the charity’s ethos around sustainability and recycling.
Art tutor Janice Rogers, who led the My Life art class, explains the story behind the semi-abstract work:
“For this piece we encouraged members to express themselves without limitation and gave them the freedom to learn.
They really enjoyed trying new materials and techniques, which is why we called the artwork Colourful Journey, because the whole process reflected their own journey, one in which they learnt new skills, exploring, experimenting, and getting lost in the vibrancy of what they were doing.”
My Life supports people of all ages, with and without disabilities, aiming to prevent social isolation and loneliness by connecting people with their communities. They provide opportunities for people to learn new skills, meet others, develop lasting friendships and – importantly – have fun.
We were delighted to have Colourful Journey featured in the exhibition and to champion such a fantastic organisation. You can find out more about My Life here: https://www.my-life.org.uk/
–
Missed the exhibition or want to revisit the artwork we had on display?
Our virtual In Manchester exhibition is now available here where you can view artwork from all artists who applied. A big thank you to everyone who got involved!
If you wish to enquire about purchasing any of the work, including Colourful Journey, please make a note of the artist and artwork name and send us a message via the Contact page.
