"We will build lasting relationships, develop expertise."
Art organisations from across North England and South Asia have joined up to announce a new art programme. New North and South aims to celebrate the “shared heritage” of the UK and South Asia. They also aim to develop artists’ talents.
The three-year programme includes various exhibitions, commissions and performances. They will take place across North England and South Asia, including Manchester, Liverpool, Lahore and Dhaka.
Works from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UK will be showcased.
New North and South will begin on the 4th March 2017. It will kick off with a photography exhibition by Sooni Taraporevala, hosted by the Whitworth. The exhibition reflects back on 40 years of Mumbai/Bombay.
Notable art figures from the UK and South Asia have expressed their delight in taking part in New North and South. Director of Liverpool Biennial, Sally Tallant says: “We are looking forward to many artist commissions and knowledge exchange with our colleagues.
“Through this programme, we will build lasting relationships, develop expertise, and celebrate excellence in the arts nationally and internationally.”
Other events to watch out for include exhibitions for textile collections and decorative art. Both opening on 18th May 2017, they feature artists such as Raisa Kabir, Risham Syed, Halima Cassell and Cobalt Designs. These will be held at the Whitworth and Manchester Art Gallery respectively.
Throughout 2017, Manchester will be host to multiple events. Nikhil Chopra will host a one-off performance at the Museum of Science and Industry. His performance bases around a steam engine train which served on Indian railways and transferred to Pakistan after the Partition.
The Manchester Art Gallery will showcase new art from Pakistani, Indian and UK artists, including Mehreen Murtaza and Hetain Patel.
Reflecting on History as well as Culture
This impressive programme is not just cultural; it reflects on history too. Memories of Partition, a social historical exhibition, showcases oral history interviews with those who witnessed the 1947 Partition.
Director of Manchester Museum, Dr Nick Merriman says: “New North and South offers a platform for world class contemporary artists from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to be shown in the UK and gives us the opportunity to connect better to the diverse communities of the North.
“Manchester, Liverpool Biennial and the Tetley look forward to collaborating with our partners in Colombo, Dhaka, Karachi, Kochi and Lahore to open the exchange of ideas and develop long-lasting connections for all involved.
However, it’s not just Manchester to look out for. A week-long workshop will take place at the Tetley in Leeds. The workshop will be led by big names in the art industry, such as Nikhil Chopra, Madhavi Gore and Jana Prepeluh.
Liverpool Biennial will also host various residencies to give South Asian artists the chance to work with internationally renowned artists. The residencies will lead into co-commissions with both the Karachi and Lahore Biennale later in 2017.
They will also provide mentoring and commission opportunities for emerging Bangladeshi artists.
New North and South showcases a wonderful shared celebration of South Asian and UK art. It is a programme not to be missed! It provides a wonderful opportunity to explore South Asian art culture. You can discover both highly-acclaimed and emerging artists.
During the spring and autumn of 2017, more announcements will be made about future events. These include the Karachi Biennale and Lahore Biennale. To keep yourself in the loop with future news and events, visit the New North and South’s website here.
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