What's on

In Praise of Blandness

First Floor Exhibition Hall

An exhibition of works by Manchester based photographer, Robert John Watson. Here's what Robert says about the exhbition: 'In Praise Of Blandness is in no way mundane. I see the silent in the world. It is a coincidence that most of my pictures have very few or no people in them as we are just […]

The Hidden Tableaux’s Peterloo Massacre 1819

First Floor Exhibition Hall

Hidden’ is an ongoing series of photographic tableaux by internationally acclaimed Artist and a Founder of ‘Rock Against Racism’, Red Saunders The Hidden Project shines photographic light on great moments in the long struggle of working people for democracy and social justice. The aim of the project, through reimagining those events, is to reproduce important […]

A Radical Tradition – Eine Radikale Tradition

First Floor Exhibition Hall

This exhibition explores the work of three relatively unknown twentieth century German photographers, Hans Saebens, Hans Retzlaff and Erich Retzlaff. Their work during the 1930s and 1940s was produced as part of a widely circulated visual framing of German peasants and their ‘Heimat’ or homeland.  Free - please drop in

There is a Light That Never Goes Out: A photographic celebration of Manchester’s rock-music history

First Floor Exhibition Hall

Rockarchive.com proudly presents a unique exhibition by the UK's leading music photographers to honour Manchester's music heritage. From the rise of punk, Factory Records, The Hacienda, the Madchester years and beyond, this exhibition is a retrospective of Manchester's huge influence and continuing importance on the rock music scene. Free – please drop in Image ©: Jill Furmanovsky/rockarchive.com

You Brought Your Own Light

First Floor Exhibition Hall

A powerful exhibition by Manchester based photographer, Allie Crewe, whose work is "highly rated, sincere, poignant and classical ", Magnum Photography. There is nothing linear about femininity - or what it means to be a woman - in the 21st century. Sex and gender are not limited to the monolithic paradigm of genetics; they are informed by […]

Hit the North

First Floor Exhibition Hall

From incisive studio portraiture to grand rural vistas, Hit the North celebrates northern photography across five decades. The exhibition is curated by Manchester-based Hobo Photo, which promotes photography with high-quality roving exhibitions. Free - please drop in

The Danger Tree – An Augmented Reality Experience

First Floor Exhibition Hall

Scarlett Raven and Marc Marot are acknowledged to be amongst the world’s first augmented reality fine artists. The Danger Tree exhibition, visually brought to life by award-winning film set designer Kave Quinn, evokes the devastation of WWI while the narratives behind each painting tell the stories of those lost and lamented, but never forgotten. Raven […]

Shirley Baker: Airport ’87

First Floor Exhibition Hall

A poignant look back at at Manchester Airport as seen through the lens of acclaimed photographer Shirley Baker, thirty years ago, having spent a day at the airport in 1987 capturing the experiences of passengers using the airport. The exhibition includes photos chosen by the public and Manchester Airport staff.  As well as capturing various areas of […]

Deities at the Bottom of the Garden

First Floor Exhibition Hall

In this fascinating exhibition, artist Richard Bartle explores in minute detail the customs and icons of major world religions and belief systems. Manifested in a series of 12 scale modelled garden sheds, the work reduces the usually grand architecture of churches and temples into more private spaces of worship. Viewers are invited to make their own […]

Nick Sharratt Exhibition Launch

First Floor Exhibition Hall

Meet Nick Sharratt at his exhibition launch! Come along to Manchester Central Library on Saturday 6 May for the opening of the Pirates, Pants and Wellyphants exhibition. Meet the wonderful Nick Sharratt, get him to sign your favourite book and have a go at lots of free, fun, Nick-themed crafts and activities. 10am to 4pm.

Pirates, Pants and Wellyphants

First Floor Exhibition Hall

We're very excited that Nick Sharratt is now the subject of a magical exhibition at Central Library. The well loved author of classic picture books including Shark in the Park, and illustrator of books by authors including Jacqueline Wilson is celebrated in this interactive and action packed exhibition. Nick says: 'I'd like to invite you […]