The Tony Wilson Archive is teaming up with Smolensky Gallery to present the first ever public exhibition of the archive, with special prints made available, in celebration.
The immersive exhibition curated by Smolensky Gallery will feature an intimate collection of personal letters, photography, memorabilia and artwork, exploring the broadcaster and Factory Records’ impact on music, design and culture in Manchester.
Having been preserved and catalogued in museum vaults for the last nearly 20 years, Tony’s son Oliver has led the effort to bring the collection – which spans Wilson’s involvement in Joy Division, Happy Mondays, New Order and the Haçienda Nightclub – to public view.
At the heart of the exhibition there are 10 newly released risograph prints from the ‘TWA M3 Collection’, which will be released over the course of 10 months.
There will also be collaborations with local creatives, including new editions produced with studio DR.ME and other Manchester-based artists.
Oli Wilson said: “This is the first time we’re doing something in the real world as the Tony Wilson Archive so it’s great to finally get here and be doing an exhibition with Smolensky Gallery, which I think is a great space and I couldn’t think of a better place in Manchester for our home over the next 12 months.
Owner of Smolensky Gallery and exhibition curator Joe Wilson said: “Tony Wilson’s impact on this great city is everywhere to see and hear, as the music he helped to shape enjoys its renaissance. It’s only right that the cultural works of Mr Manchester are available for everyone to see and enjoy.”
The exhibition is free and open to the public from Friday 20 June. On Thursday 19 June there will be a panel talk featuring ith Oli Wilson (son of Tony Wilson), Joe Wilson (Smolensky Gallery), Mat Bancroft (Curator, John Rylands Library), Jan Hicks (previously creator at Museum of Science and Industry), John Cooper (owner of Cerysmatic Factory) and DR.ME (artists Ryan and Eddie from Salford Design Studio) followed by a DJ set of rare Factory Records.
There are limited free tickets to attend the panel talk, but you need to register online in advance.
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