Connecting the voice of Wigan in new exhibition
A new exhibition bringing together art, heritage and community voices is set to go on display at Wigan Museum.
Wigan’s Voice will explore the borough’s past, present and future in a series of commissioned artworks alongside the museum’s existing collections.
Running from Saturday, 21 February to Saturday, 25 July, the exhibition is the first to reopen the museum space on Library Street, and will reflect on the area’s heritage, culture and changing landscape.
Structured around three, interconnecting strands – nature’s voice, traditional voice, community voice – Wigan’s Voice will also feature works from local and national artists.
Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “I am delighted this new exhibition is the first to reopen our fantastic museum, and it will be shaped by the people of our borough, reviving and honouring our local roots.
“Exploring what Wigan Borough has been, what it is now and what it might become is a great way to bring our communities together and look collectively towards our future.
“By combining collections, contemporary art and community participation, Wigan’s Voice presents a collective portrait of our borough.”
The Nature’s Voice part of the artwork will explore Wigan’s changing landscape, with commissions from Alex Shaw and a projection installation, ‘Data Mapping’, by artists Henrich and Palmer.
Traditional Voice will re-examine heritage and craft traditions, with the museum collections running alongside a commission by artist Abigail Kerner, and an interactive digital game by FACT gallery and Global Friends.
Community Voice will centre the lived experiences of Wigan’s people through interactive displays and commissioned work by poet Tom Stocks, as well as a film by Tom Doona, inviting visitors to reflect on what it means to live in Wigan today.
Wigan Museum is housed in Wigan’s first public library and first public building with electric lighting. Alfred Waterhouse designed the building, which opened in 1878 and also designed the Natural History Museum in London and Manchester Town Hall.
In 1936 George Orwell researched his book ‘The Road to Wigan Pier’ in the Reference Library (now Family History and Local Studies) upstairs.
For more information and opening times, visit the Museum of Wigan webpages.
