Hulme Nannas’ exhibition of (in)visibility, community and urban change

This event is the launch of an exhibition of artwork and poetry co-curated by older women living on the Aquarius Estate in Hulme. The event will include a talk by community members explaining their art work, a panel discussion by research team explaining the themes and learning from project, Q&A and some time to network, along with refreshments and snacks.

The exhibition depicts the community’s contradictory experiences of feeling both visible and invisible living next to expanding universities and gentrification from the city centre. Led by local artist, author and playwright Anthea Cribbin, the artwork traverses the rich lives of the women and their histories and sentiments that are tied to the neighbourhood. The exhibition is a chance to raise awareness of the distinct pressures felt by those living on the Aquarius Estate – exploring themes of community, connection, vulnerability and change – from the perspectives of the older women themselves, in order to amplify their voices and celebrate the community.

The exhibition has emerged as part of a wider co-creation project led by community researcher and activist Tina Cribbin and academic researcher Niamh Kavanagh (both from the University of Manchester) that has been exploring how more equitable relationships can be sustained between the university and the neighbouring Hulme community.

This event will also reflect on how working with the art group over time has offered novel insight into methodological and ethical approaches for the ‘doing’ of research in communities like Hulme that face different precarities and challenges, emphasising slow and gentle ways of working together with creative approaches that nurture patience and trust.

Niamh Kavanagh, Researcher in Archtecture at The University of Manchester

Adults, young people

Local communities around the university.

Community organisations working in neighbourhoods similar to Hulme.