Manchester Art Fair makes a welcome return later this month as it takes over Manchester Central from Fri Nov 19 to Sun Nov 21.

Hosted alongside sister event The Manchester Contemporary, the fair is a showcase for modern painting, sculpture, photography, prints and digital art.

Over 130 national galleries and artists are represented, and it’s expected to attract more than 8,000 visitors throughout the weekend.

As well as celebrating the flourishing health of the national contemporary art scene, Manchester Art Fair has always offered a great chance to get acquainted with what’s going on locally, and so here’s our round up of the Top 5 homegrown artists and galleries you shouldn’t miss this year.

PS, we’ve got 200 free tickets to the event to give away for Manchester Wire readers. Visit the link to register your spot.

Saul Hay Gallery | Stand 222
Credit: Peter Davis

One of the city’s key hubs for both emerging and established artists, this Castlefield-based gallery represents an impressive list of artists, including Andrew Brooks, Deborah Grice, Laura Garcia Martin, Anthony Ratcliffe, Kevin John Pocock and David Stanley.

Rachel Camilleri | Stand 366
Credit: Rachel Camilleri

Hailing from Monton, Salford, Rachel paints bright abstract works that are bursting with colour and energy. Drawing on her surroundings—everything from nature to urban street art—she makes incredible use of a range of paints and materials that reflect her broad influences.

The Whitworth | Stand 207
Credit: Raqib Shaw

Oxford Road’s progressive art gallery is celebrated for both its formidable permanent collections and for its contemporary gaze.

It brings a little taste of its own elegant in-gallery shop to the fair—with books, postcards, wallpapers, photography and limited editions from the likes of William Kentridge and Raqib Shaw on its stand.

Ian Rayer-Smith | Stand 296
Credit: Ian Rayer-Smith

Rayer-Smith’s large scale expressionist works are staggering. The Ancoats-based artist favours huge canvasses and a passionate response to the places and emotions that inspire him.

Contemporary Six | Stand 224
Credit: Marc Chagall, Le Fond Jaune

Permanently based on Princess Street in the city centre, Contemporary Six has a spectacular collection of lithographs and prints from the likes of Keith Haring, Marc Chagall and Sam Francis.

A Manchester Wire Partnership post
Fri 19 Nov - Sun 21 Nov, 10am, Manchester Central,
Windmill St, Manchester M2 3GX
, Free (limited allocation)
Words:
Sarah Walters
Published on:
Thu 18 Nov 2021