15 Years of Manchester Art Fair
The popular art event returns in 2023 with its biggest ever show
Founded in 2008, Manchester Art Fair has quietly established itself as one of the UK’s largest and most significant art fairs over the last 15 years, earning the praise of some of the country’s most respected figures in the art-world.
Contrary to early doubters, who advised the show’s owners Thom Hetherington and Sophie Helm that a consumer art event would never work in the city, Manchester Art Fair has successfully broken down the barriers to buying art in the North, creating an accessible and enjoyable event that has attracted over 90,000 visitors since inception and amassed almost £6m in art sales.
Last year, despite all the economic challenges, the acclaimed event, which is proud to have showcased the work of Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, David Hockney, Antony Gormley, Banksy, and Stanley Chow, amongst others, celebrated record numbers, with over 13,309 visitors and art sales totalling £850,000 over the three-day event.
Set to return to Manchester Central this November 17-19, Manchester Art Fair 2023 will be the biggest edition to date, with a 35% increase in floor space leading to additional artists and galleries exhibiting and even more space for visitors to stand back and appreciate the works on display.
Over 140 UK and international individual artists, galleries, and artist led spaces are confirmed to show with new entrants including Demif Gallery, British Art Portfolio, Art Court, and First Contemporary featuring alongside returning exhibitors Saul Hay Gallery, Hidden Gallery, and Carnes Fine Art. Representing Cheshire will be local artists Gareth Tristan Evans (aka The Trunk of Funk), Louisa Boyd, and Tricia Harrison, who was inspired to become an artist by the pastel portraits of interesting local characters her mother used to create, when growing up in South Africa.
Speaking ahead of the acclaimed event’s return, Managing Director of Manchester Art Fair, Sophie Helm said: “We can’t wait to bring the community built by Manchester Art Fair back together in November. Once again, we are stepping up our ambitions for the fair by introducing a uniquely diverse mix of acclaimed galleries and independent artists alongside a rich programme of talks, workshops, and installations. It’s the only fair for the collector, the curator, and the simply curious.”
Sitting alongside Manchester Art Fair and adding to the breadth of work is The Manchester Contemporary, a collegiate fair for young galleries, artist-led spaces, charitable organisations, and partner institutions providing a critically engaged environment for artistic exploration and development.
The full list of galleries and artists, along with a preview of some of the work which will be available to buy, can be seen on the Manchester Art Fair website. The fair opens with a VIP preview evening at Manchester Central on Friday 17 November from 5-9pm, followed by public days on Saturday 18th (10am-6pm) and Sunday 19th (10am – 4pm). Tickets are available now at manchesterartfair.co.uk and priced at £10 for a weekend ticket or £25 for a preview ticket.
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