Hidden art exhibition opens in Spinningfields to help Manchester’s homeless

HOST by Hilary Jack is a series of nine hand-crafted bronze sculptures of wild flowers detailed with enamel and arranged across Spinningfields to look like they are ‘growing’ from buildings.

Each design is one of a kind and has been created for a good cause-the Manchester Homelessness Charter.

The designs are based on wild plant hybrids including a hard-to-spot thistle in Hardman Square, cow parsley ‘growing’ inside the RBS building at number 1 Spinningfields, and a mustard plant, symbol of resilience and a reference to Mustard Tree, one of the city’s key charities for the homeless.

This dramatic example of public art in a privately-owned space is the result of the 2016/17 Spinningfields Art Commission run by Allied London, one of the first organisations to sign up to support the charter last May, who have pledged £10,000 to the cause.

At the end of February, the artworks will be removed and gifted to carefully selected recipients who will then make a pledge to the Homelessness Charter.

With individual pieces having an estimated value of up to £6,000, HOST is a creative way to raise money for a good cause – helping to fund a paid job for a person who has experienced homelessness.

Hilary, who studied for her fine art degree and Masters at Manchester School of Art, is a member of Manchester’s Rogue Artists’ Studios, one of the largest spaces in the UK outside London dedicated to visual arts.

Her work has been exhibited across the UK and internationally including  a  recent  solo  exhibition at Bury Sculpture Centre. Manchester Art Gallery has also acquired a number of previous pieces and she features in several private collections including those of the Beckhams and Peter Hook.

The work aims not only raise money for the Homelessness Charter but raise public awareness, with people invited to make creative contributions at www.streetsupport.net.

www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk
#SpinArt2016 and #MCRHomelessnessCharter