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The Big Picture: A down-to-earth art show
Conrad Astley28/10/2005
THE Manchester Art Show was started three years ago by Carolyn
Burnett, who had grown tired with having to travel to events in the
capital and wanted to set up an alternative to the snobbery of the
London-dominated arts scene.
The show, which is coming to Manchester this weekend, has doubled
in size every year - attracting 7,500 visitors in 200.
And it has been praised by the national arts press for its policy
of offering cheap stalls to enable small artists to display their
work.
This means visitors can see work by up-and-coming artists they may
never have heard about before.
These include works by up-and-coming Manchester artists David
Hancock and by Richard Clare, who paints scenes of the city as well
as images of nearby rural areas like Saddleworth Moor.
The event will also feature international work which art lovers
would be unlikely to have seen before, and there will be areas put
aside for Thai, Chinese and Mongolian artists.
The Mongolian art today stand includes works by 12 of the country's
finest artists, including the critically acclaimed Choindongiin
Khurelbaatar.
The event has also established a reputation among the UK's art
galleries, and many will be represented at the show.
Because of this, works by established contemporary artist Damien
Hurst, and even LS Lowry will also be on display.
But although the show is intended as an introduction to the
pleasures of buying art - with some pieces available at well under
£100 - many visitors just go to look at the work.
Carolyn Burnett said: "We felt strongly that the general public,
art buyers and business community are encouraged to buy art if
there is a relaxed environment.
"Our tremendous success last year proves this in both numbers of
potential art buyers through the door and by the amount of sales
made over the four days.
"The show continues to promote art to a wider audience and provide
artists with a unique opportunity for greater exposure across the
UK."
Manchester Art Show 2005 takes place at the Manchester
International Convention Centre next to GMEX until October
30.
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