New art exhibition: Thumbs Up at Castlefield Gallery

Teaming up with Venture Arts, a charity based in Hulme, the Castlefield Gallery presents this innovative group exhibition, Thumbs Up. Opening on Thursday 23 January, it will present new work by artists Michael Beard, Frances Disley, Harry Meadley and Leslie Thompson. The four have been working together to use the venue as a place of research and conversation. They have drawn out common themes in their practice, such as connections in popular culture, travel, movement and use of colour. Responding to the physical spaces of the gallery, the artists have developed the scale, materials and methods of their work. The resulting exhibition was devised keeping in mind that it’s winter and as such aims to create a warm and welcoming experience that offers a restorative environment for visitors. Thumbs Up explores how different methods of display affect the way people interact with the exhibits and ensures that the audience encounters pieces in new and unexpected ways. The gallery runs until Sunday 8 March, with various artists tours and talks, panel discussions and even themed Vinyasa Yoga sessions scheduled throughout its run.