An exhibition that explores opposites featuring work by some of the world’s most famous artists, including Antony Gormley and Anish Kapoor, has turned that focus on itself, by also featuring the work of an unknown, first-time artist.

8-year old Thomas Newton from Salford, Greater Manchester was one of twenty nine schoolchildren from Ellenbrook Primary invited by the exhibition’s curator, the world renowned dancer and choreographer, Akram Khan, to submit their artwork for inclusion in One Side to the Other, which opens at The Lowry this Saturday.

Khan’s only stipulation to the children was that the artwork should be about nature.

Michael Simpson, director of visual art and engagement at The Lowry, said: “Akram is really interested in the contrast between childhood and adulthood, through art. There are a number of works in the exhibition that explore that topic – and I think it will challenge people’s expectations of an exhibition of this scale to include Thomas’ work – as well as celebrating his imagination.”

The designs by the Year 3 class were judged by The Lowry’s curator of special exhibitions, Emily Tan, and Thomas’ winning piece has been framed and hung alongside other artists’ work, including a Lever II by Gormley and Negative Box Shadow by Kapoor.

The exhibition brings together elements of performance and live installation work alongside sculpture, painting and film. Some of the opposites it highlights are the traditional and the contemporary, the spiritual and the grounded, doubt and certainty.

It has been described as an Alice in Wonderland-like labyrinth of Khan’s artistic and cultural influences that can be experienced as a guided tour or an immersive personal journey.

It is the second of The Lowry’s Performer as Curator series, which launched in 2013 with an exhibition by Alison Goldfrapp.

More information

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here