Recent times have illustrated a period of both turbulence and triumph for the people of Manchester. The May 2017 terrorist attack shook the city and the entire nation to its core. In defiance of the fear and division the attack aimed to create, the people of Manchester instead came together and rose phoenix-like from the sadness and loss, showing unity in the face of that which would strip this proud city of everything it holds dear. Fittingly, many of the citywide memorials and commemorations installed this year to mark the anniversary of the attack were expressed through the medium of art. Using images, lyrics and poetry, the love of Manchester’s people shouted
louder than words could ever be uttered. Song lyrics were projected onto buildings in and around St Ann’s Square, whose church also played host to the ‘Embracing Manchester’ art exhibition. Art, whatever its form, is one of the most universal and unifying languages of all. Manchester’s heart and soul embraced its kinship with art to create scenes not only of mourning, but of hope. We look forward to making our own contribution to Manchester’s diverse and accomplished art scene, and hope that our visitors will agree that Summer Exhibition 2018 has done its host city proud.
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