The Manchester Art Book
The city through the eyes of its artists
Published on 12. June 2025
Book
Hardback
128 pages
978-1-906860-97-4 (ISBN)
Description
A remarkable collection of artworks that shine a light on the city's grand edifices, quirky nooks, hidden quarters and modern architecture with equal affection and pride.
From cotton mills - for this city was once the centre of textile manufacture - to classical composers and the successful careers of the Gallagher brothers, this is a city with a rich and diverse history. It's university, where Ernest Rutherford first split the atom in 1917, and established at the birth of modernity as we know it, features many 19th-century buildings and since 2004 been the largest single-site university in the UK - hosting both the Victoria University of Manchester and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.
In their work, over 50 local artists portray the Gothic grandeur of Manchester cathedral, it's many and varied railway stations, and the breathtaking architecture of the Royal Exchange Theatre, the city's former cotton exchange.
This book is a tribute to Manchester, a city famous for its creative and commercial exports, whose extensive canal network and dense urban landscape helped solidify its position as the world's first industrial city. The Manchester Art Book offers a new perspective on the city, through the eyes of the local artists it continues to inspire.
From cotton mills - for this city was once the centre of textile manufacture - to classical composers and the successful careers of the Gallagher brothers, this is a city with a rich and diverse history. It's university, where Ernest Rutherford first split the atom in 1917, and established at the birth of modernity as we know it, features many 19th-century buildings and since 2004 been the largest single-site university in the UK - hosting both the Victoria University of Manchester and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.
In their work, over 50 local artists portray the Gothic grandeur of Manchester cathedral, it's many and varied railway stations, and the breathtaking architecture of the Royal Exchange Theatre, the city's former cotton exchange.
This book is a tribute to Manchester, a city famous for its creative and commercial exports, whose extensive canal network and dense urban landscape helped solidify its position as the world's first industrial city. The Manchester Art Book offers a new perspective on the city, through the eyes of the local artists it continues to inspire.
Reviews / Votes
Having lived in Manchester in my formative years - I longed for those days when it wasn't raining! And you could look up and take in the architecture and beauty of this great city. It's a real trip down memory lane seeing some of that beauty captured in this wonderful art. -- Mathew Horne, Actor (Gavin and Stacey, The Catherine Tate Show) The sheer variety of styles, media and approaches illustrated is positively inspiring, both to consider a visit, but also to get the materials out. * The Artist * Wonderful images that capture the industrial heart yet the vibrant soul of our beloved Manchester. -- Simon Gregson, Actor (Coronation Street) The latest in The City Through the Eyes of its Artists series of books takes us on a tour of the streets of Manchester via vibrant artwork reaching back to the city's rich industrial heritage and bringing us up to date with the modern scene...This is a real treat for city visitors. * Best of British Magazine * This wonderful book is a celebration of everything Manchester stands for in the arts - our unique talent, culture, vibrancy and representation. -- Shobna Gulati, Actor (Coronation Street, Dinner Ladies) As an affectionate guide and souvenir, this volume is pretty much pitch perfect ... * Artbookreview.net * Just as Manchester does things differently, so does this book. It captures the character & uniqueness of Manchester through a variety of eyes. -- Cel Spellman, Actor and broadcaster (Cold Feet, CBBC) I love these wonderfully bold images of my home city, Manchester. They evoke both its towering industrial past and its vibrant, creative present. -- Paula Wilcox, Actor (The Liver Birds, Emmerdale, Coronation Street)More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Illustrations
Over 100 colour illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 166 mm
Width: 204 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
404 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-906860-97-4 (9781906860974)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Emma Bennett is the editor of the city art book series. She is a collage artist, creating vibrant intricate hand-cut collage pictures using minute details. Her fascination with design and recycling leads to beautiful collages, as in the cover of this lovely book.
Content
Foreword
Preface
Around Corporation Street
John Rylands Library to Castlefield, the Manchester Canal and Deansgate
Around City Road
Oxford Road, to The Whitworth and onto Curry Mile
Manchester Piccadilly, to The Gay Village, Chinatown and Manchester Art Gallery
St Peter's Square take a tram to Media City UK and Salford Quays
Around Old Trafford
Around Salford
Back to Manchester Central Library, on to the Northern Quarter and Great Ancoats Street
Artist Credits
Preface
Around Corporation Street
John Rylands Library to Castlefield, the Manchester Canal and Deansgate
Around City Road
Oxford Road, to The Whitworth and onto Curry Mile
Manchester Piccadilly, to The Gay Village, Chinatown and Manchester Art Gallery
St Peter's Square take a tram to Media City UK and Salford Quays
Around Old Trafford
Around Salford
Back to Manchester Central Library, on to the Northern Quarter and Great Ancoats Street
Artist Credits