Ryan Gander announced as new Patron of Castlefield Gallery

“Castlefield Gallery is the centre to the periphery, which in my thinking is the best position to work from and where I want to be.” Said Ryan Gander “Castlefield Gallery oozes with explorers and pioneers, and understands that the currency of a scene is its ability to import and export culture, not sit stagnant in its own melting pot.”

Castlefield Gallery was delighted to announce, during the launch of their latest exhibition, that the critically acclaimed British artist, Ryan Gander is set to become a Patron of Castlefield Gallery.

The announcement was made at the packed public preview of the gallery’s annual Head to Head exhibition; I Would Like to Join a Club and Hit Myself with It that features a work by Gander (Porthole to Culturefield Revisited, 2010) alongside new works by five emerging NorthWest-based artists; Robert Carter, Helen Collett, Monty, Lois MacDonald, and Joe Fletcher Orr.  It also comes after Manchester Art Gallery last week opened their major solo exhibition of work by Ryan Gander, Make every show like it’s your last (3 July – 14 Sept 2014), and ahead of Gander being presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts from Manchester Metropolitan University at a ceremony towards the end of July.

Born in Chester, Gander received his undergraduate degree from the Manchester Metropolitan University’s BA (Hons) Interactive Arts course in 2000.  He has gone on to exhibit extensively around the world, including exhibitions at the Guggenheim Museum, New York, documenta 13 in 2012 and at the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011. He is represented by Lisson Gallery.

Castlefield Gallery is this year celebrating its 30th anniversary. Since its founding in 1984 by artists, it has been one of Northern England’s most active and successful organisations/agencies for developing emerging contemporary artists and practice. Its ambitious curated exhibitions programme responds to national and international trends, promoting artists at key stages of their careers, including subsequent Turner Prize nominees/winners and exhibitors at international festivals.

Trustee of Castlefield Gallery (and curator at Manchester Art Gallery) Kate Jesson made the exciting announcement during her opening speech where she described Gander’s contribution to exhibition, the artwork Porthole to Culturefield Revisited as a valuable reminder of having spaces like his imagined Culturefield as a source and generator of creative energy.  She went on to describe how, for Manchester, Castlefield Gallery is that very Culturefield – where for the past 30 years it has been exhibiting early-career artists alongside artists of international standing, and providing artists with the support, time and space necessary for them to develop experimental and risk taking art.

Marla Cunningham, Chair of Castlefield Gallery’s Board of Directors said: We’re delighted to welcome Ryan as our patron. His affiliation with Castlefield Gallery provides another example of the high calibre of artists the gallery and city has had the pleasure to work with over the years. We share his commitment to supporting artist practice and look forward to working with him during this very exciting time at Castlefield Gallery.