Manchester's biggest free art exhibition

SARS as fashion, a self-portrait in rose petals and a piano that plays 45s when its keys are pressed are just a selection of the modern art offerings at Manchester Metropolitan University’s degree show 2003, starting this Friday, June 20.

Another eye-catcher is the TV that comes on when you sit in front of it - sure to be a favourite with Jim Royle and family!

Contemporary art in the mould of Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin is a forte of MMU’s acclaimed Faculty of Art & Design, which produces 1,000 graduate artists each year.

Among this year’s guests will be controversial artist Bill Drummond, formerly of the KLF who recently held court at the city’s Cornerhouse arts centre. Bill will launch the Interactive Arts show on Friday, June 20 at 6pm.

The Degree Shows cover a vast range of artistic endeavour: fine art, painting, sculpture, interior design, landscape, new media, architecture, film, fashion, animation, ceramics, metalwork, glass, embroidery and textiles.

Dean of Art and Design Professor Maureen Wayman said: “The exhibitions provide a career launch for a thousand art and design students, many of whom stay in the city and region and contribute to the creative industries in Manchester.

“They also give MMU an opportunity to reinforce working partnerships with friends and colleagues in the creative industries.”

Exhibitors this year include the first students to complete the new media design foundation degree, a two-year work-based course validated by MMU and delivered by our partners in three colleges of further education - City College, Hopwood Hall and Tameside.

The shows run from June 20-5. Private view from 6pm Friday, June 20. Sat/Sun 10am-4pm. Mon/Tues/Wed 10am-6pm. Exhibitions take place at the All Saints campus, Oxford Road, Manchester. Venues: All Saints Building, Cavendish Building, Grosvenor/Mable Tylecote Buildings and Chatham/Undercroft Buildings.

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Notes:
Art and Design at MMU has a long heritage dating back to 1838 when the city opened its first School of Art and Design.
All media representatives are welcome to the private view.
MMU’s Capitol Theatre, All Saints campus is showing Maxim Gorky’s Summerfolk on 18-21 June. Box office 0161 247 1306