The Whitworth announces its grand opening

03 Oct 2014

Newly developed gallery to reveal its art on Valentine’s Day

The newly developed Whitworth, closed for over a year while it underwent a £15 million transformation, has just announced its opening date: Saturday 14 February.

With twice the space, an art garden, sculpture terrace and orchard garden – and a new café in the trees – the gallery opens with a major solo exhibition by one of Britain’s most acclaimed contemporary artists, Cornelia Parker.

Alongside run nine other exhibitions, with work by the Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang, Sarah Lucas and the photographer Johnnie Shand Kydd all on display, as well as two exhibitions of contemporary artworks and sculpture recently donated to the Whitworth by the Karpidas Foundation.

The Whitworth’s opening shows also celebrate the gallery’s extensive and eclectic collection with exhibitions of historic watercolours (with paintings by J.M.W Turner, William Blake and others), textiles, wallpaper and works from the 1960s.

The gallery opens with a full weekend of free events, music and fireworks that begin on Valentine’s Day – make a note in your diary and keep an eye on StaffNet for further details.