Noel Gallagher has joined the illustrious list of ‘Greater Mancunians’, a ground-breaking student-led photography project initiated by The Manchester College in collaboration with the Manchester City Council.
Noel ~ who was stopping off in his hometown of Manchester this week ahead of his gig at Liverpool Arena ~ had his picture taken outside India House on Whitworth Street by Katie O’Neill, who is one of the photographers involved with the project. It is where Noel had written all the songs for the first two Oasis albums Definitely Maybe and What’s the Story, Morning Glory, as he explained:
“India House is literally ground zero in the story of my musical life! I moved into a flat there with my then girlfriend in 1989, broke and bored. By the time I left in 1993 I’d joined my little brother’s band and had written Live Forever and Rock ‘n’ Roll Star!”
Greater Mancunians captures the essence of those born, bred, or contributing significantly to Greater Manchester, celebrating their impact on the city and its surrounding boroughs. It is set to leave a lasting legacy with a forthcoming book and a major exhibition taking place between Friday 19th April – Sunday 30th2024 at the iconic Manchester Central Library.
This ambitious project, seven years in the making, has engaged over 150 young visual artists and 120 Greater Mancunian contributors, incorporating celebrities and inspiring everyday heroes, each with unique stories and remarkable achievements. It is very much a celebration of the Mancunian spirit, showcasing the diversity of talent that has shaped the region for the greater good.
As part of this initiative, musicians, sports figures, entertainers, entrepreneurs, politicians, actors, comedians, artists, poets, academics and community champions have been photographed at poignant or significant locations of their choice within the area.
Harry Potts ~ Head of Photography at The Manchester College ~ is the main coordinator of the project and oversees the students as they undertake the photography, imparting essential employability and work experience skills crucial for entry into the creative industries. Each shoot involves one or two students working under Potts’ supervision, encouraging them to engage with and communicate their creative ideas to the contributors, ensuring the creation of exceptional work.
“The project started in 2016 when student Harry Yeates wanted to photograph legendary poet John Cooper Clarke for his final major project,” explains Harry. “The photo was taken under Blackfriars Bridge, connecting Salford to Manchester, next to his life-sized stencil by the artist Stewy. We repeated this collaborative formula with a handful of other notable Mancunians and slowly a project was organically developing.
“As with John Cooper Clarke, we always ask the contributor to choose the location for the photography. This is an integral part of the project as we want the image to have poignancy and context. Professor of Emergency Medicine Tony Redmond chose inside the NHS Nightingale Hospital. Actor Bill Roache was photographed on the set of Coronation Street and Noel Gallagher chose India House where he lived during the whole Madchester era and where the story of Oasis began!”
Harry Potts and the students regularly collaborate to draw up a wish list of potential contributors, many of whom have been highlighted in recent news stories and current events.
They include Andy Burnham, Diane Modahl, Peter Saville, Jason Manford and Johnny Marr and ~ as a fitting end to the project ~ the plan is for instigator Harry Yeates to be invited back to capture the final photograph.
The Greater Mancunians exhibition will offer a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of Greater Manchester, showcasing the imagery and stories collected over seven years, and aiming to inspire, entertain, surprise, and educate audiences.
The exhibition at Manchester Central Library, in the heart of the city, will be perfectly positioned to engage people of all generations who wish to celebrate ‘the very human side of the Manchester story.’ It will seamlessly blend art and popular culture, offering a comprehensive view of the city’s vibrant past and present.
