Following on from 2015’s inaugural Spinningfields Art Commission, the estate has continued its commitment to art in the public realm with Host by artist Hilary Jack, produced and curated by Castlefield Gallery.
Host comprises a number of discreet bronze sculptures of hybrid wild plants that typically grow in forgotten urban spaces. Emerging from corners of buildings and hidden spots across Spinningfields, Host represents an unexpected counterpoint to the built environment, using the traditional material of imposing public sculpture to create a series of fragile, natural forms.
Spinningfields Art Commission 2016 promotes the work of the Manchester Homelessness Charter, with each bronze sculpture being sold to support the Big Change Fund. Throughout the exhibition period, narratives will be woven in gradually to each piece telling the hidden stories behind our development as a city and community; search #SpinArt2016 and #MCRHomelessnessCharter on Twitter to find out more.
Back in May of this year, Spinningfields developer Allied London became the first business to sign up to the Charter, pledging £10,000, half of which was donated personally by CEO Michael Ingall. Allied London has also pledged to work with Manchester City Council to look at making provisions to support the homeless through a variety of means.
Hilary Jack, who is based at Rogue Artists Studio in Manchester, has worked across the UK and internationally with public and private art galleries, and on large-scale public realm commissions with The National Trust, local governments, art festivals, Art Council England, and private organisations.
Hilary’s work has an activist element, highlighting overlooked aspects of everyday life, the politics of location, often involving the use of found objects in site referential artworks, sculptural installations and public interventions.
In 2015 Liz West, one of the North’s most exciting emerging artists, created Through No.3, a six-metre long triangular prism corridor of light and colour installed on Crown Square. Through No.3’s new home will be revealed in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Spinningfields will play “Host” to Hilary’s piece until the end of February 2017.
Pledge your support to the Manchester Homelessness Charter here.
For more information follow @Spinningfields on Twitter, or search #SpinArt2016
