The Imperial War Museum North explores how artists contribute to our perceptions of war and conflict, in an age where our understanding is shaped by the media and the internet. This autumn, in Manchester, IWM presents its first major exhibition of its national collection of contemporary art produced since the First Gulf War. IWM holds an unrivalled collection of twentieth and twenty-first century British art, including some of the most significant artists exploring war and conflict today.
The exhibition explores the ways in which art can prompt us to think more deeply about current events, their immediate impact and their long-term implications. Hear from the artists themselves and discover what motivates people to create art about conflict.
Featuring many new and recent acquisitions, Catalyst features over 70 works from this national collection on public display together for the first time. Explore photography, film, sculpture, oil paintings, prints and book works ranging from the highly moving to the humorous, philosophical or outraged.
The exhibition includes work by Steve McQueen, kennardphillipps, Langlands & Bell, Miroslaw Balka, Willie Doherty, Paul Seawright, Ori Gersht, Jananne Al Ani and Edmund Clark.
Photo: kennardphillipps: Photo Op. Artists are often driven by their own experiences, political views or a desire to protest. Their work can propose alternative ideas and provoke discussion. Collection IWM © kennardphillipps
Catalyst: Contemporary Art and War Fri 11 October 2013 Ends Sun 23 February 2014
IWM North The Quays Trafford Wharf Road Manchester M17 1TZ