Above & Below – An Exhibition by Rob Bailey at Common

One of Manchester’s favourite illustrators is returning to the place where he had his first ever solo exhibition six years ago. Rob Bailey brings his deceptively simplistic charm to the walls and more of Common this February for six months of delight. Taking a nautical theme, Bailey’s stylish understated and carefully placed geometric shapes hark to the designs of Charley Harper, though less cluttered, or perhaps another great Manchester designer, Stanley Chow – though not leaning so much toward caricature. There is a quiet elegance to Bailey’s work, and though it may not be conveyed fully in the confines of the busy NQ bar, it will certainly give a vast canvas to a great artist, who promises a few surprises to go along with his murals. To find out what they might be, well you’ll just have to pop along won’t you.

Opens Thu 27 Feb and continues til late August, Common, 39-41 Edge Street, M4 1HW. Tel: 0161 832 9245, 6pm, FREE, robbailey.co.uk