Arts
Manifest Arts visited Warrington Museum & Art Gallery for a brand new exhibition Zeitgeist, by the extraordinary contemporary figurative painter Peter Davis. This is a work that examines humanity and its relationship with technology through a unique collection of original paintings. Each exquisite piece acts as a social documentary that probes beneath the surface of the digital age we live in, and looks at the status of a person within contemporary society. Peter said: “Seeing people glued to their devices is so commonplace that we don’t give it a second glance these days. Maybe my series of Zeitgeist paintings will encourage visitors to the exhibition to slow down and reconsider their addiction to their own devices?” Being able to transform the often-overlooked elements of today’s society is something Peter particularly enjoys about his work, whether capturing the solitary absorption of technology addicts in isolated situations, or highlighting the paradox of the anti-social nature of social media. Zeitgeist is the latest exhibition to form part of the extended Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival programme. Thanks to support from Arts Council England, Culture Warrington – the charity that runs Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival, Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, and Pyramid & Parr Hall – is proud to present the year-round programme that enables them to showcase emerging talent. By working with partners from across the North West, the charity plans to commission local, regional and national artists to connect with Warrington’s neighbourhoods throughout the year, culminating in Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival 2018. Peter’s work will follow on from Echo (check out our podcast with Holly)and Worn; two hugely successful exhibitions by artists Holly Rowan Hesson and Ellen Sampson, which kick-started the year-long celebration of contemporary art. An elected member of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts (MAFA), Peter boasts a glittering reputation amongst his peers, and has also picked up a number of prestigious industry awards, including the Visitor’s Choice Prize at the Warrington Contemporary Open exhibition. In 2017, he was also shortlisted for Artist of the Year by Artists & Illustrators. www.peterdavisartist.com So, for a chance to see this fascinating work first hand, why not turn off your tablet and put away your phone and head down to Warrington Museum & Art Gallery this spring? Zeitgeist will be open to the public between Saturday 10 February and Saturday 28 April 2018. For more information, head to www.warringtonmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/event/zeitgeist/ or contact Warrington Museum & Art Gallery on 01925 442399. Exhibition title: Zeitgeist Date: Saturday 10 February to Saturday 28 April Times: All Day Admission: Free Location: Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, Museum Street, Warrington, WA1 1JB www.warringtonmuseum.co.uk