The Myth of the North
The Myth of the North
A New Exhibition exploring images of Northern Life Through Art, Photography And Popular Culture
30 June – 4 November 2007, The Lowry, Salford Quays
Especially curated for The Lowry, The Myth of the North brings together photographs, paintings, films and artefacts that have all helped to create an indelible image of Northern life since the turn of the 20th century. Through over 100 exhibits the exhibition explores, reflects and celebrates the diversity of the North’s people and places - in all their gritty, glamorous and (sometimes) gaudy glory.
From Yorkshire miners to Wigan mill workers, Blackpool beaches to Bolton pubs, Salford street urchins to Jarrow marchers - The Myth of the North includes work from artists and photographers as diverse as Martin Parr, LS Lowry, Bill Brandt, Liam Spencer, Humphrey Spender and Denis Thorpe.
Their reportage photography and fine art is complemented by TV stills from Coronation Street and Shameless, original Andy Capp cartoons from The Daily Mirror, vintage tourism posters, postcards, films and a selection of Northern artefacts - such as the flat cap, pies and even a stuffed whippet.
And to give the public a true ‘Northern’ experience when visiting, the exhibition is displayed through a series of life-size installations designed by award winning theatre designer Richard Foxton. Visitors view exhibits by exploring a labyrinth of highly detailed reconstructions of a Northern house, streets, seafront and shop which have been designed to complement the exhibition’s six creative themes - Northern Landscape, High Days & Holidays, Life of the Streets, Blackpool, Work and the Terraced House.
Through this thematic approach and staging, The Myth of the North is an engaging mix of light-hearted and dramatic subjects that collectively seek to capture the true spirit and ‘cultural DNA’ of the North.
Curator Bill Longshaw, who is currently studying a PHD in Northern cultural myths, said of the exhibition:
“Many people have a visual image in their head about ‘the North’ largely formed through popular culture, social documentary and portrayals in the national media. However, this exhibition is not about debunking myths or reinforcing stereotypes – it’s simply a reflection of people’s real lives as captured by artists, photographers and film-makers who used the North as their inspiration.
“The show is more a celebration of Northern culture than a serious study of Northern life - and it captures the vibrancy, humour and unique character of the region which seems to radiate from the cobbles, terraces and grime of industrial Northern towns.”
The exhibition also includes a number of popular and significant paintings by LS Lowry including The Mill Worker, Going To The Match and Good Friday, Daisy Nook. LS Lowry is widely credited as the creator of some of the most defining images of 20th century Northern life and is the inspiration behind The Myth of the North exhibition.
Posted on Wednesday, 31 October 2007 under Press Galleries Press