As the UK’s most creative city, Manchester isn’t short of exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances to get stuck into, whatever your taste. Adding to that list is The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre in Chorlton, which is proud to be hosting a unique selection in an exhibition by internationally renowned illustrator Stanley Chow, who originally hails from Manchester.
This special exhibition will run from February 15 to May 30 and will showcase Stan’s personally curated collection of actors from the stage, film and television – several of whom are BAFTA, Emmy, Olivier and Academy Award winners. The exhibition will also include the three patrons of The Edge, Sir Mark Rylance, Julie Hesmondhalgh and John Thomson.
Stanley Chow was born and raised in Manchester by parents who emigrated from Hong Kong. He started off in the city as a DJ in various nightclubs and bars and began designing posters and flyers for events, including The Roadhouse and Night & Day where some of his work adorns the walls.
While out he would spend time sketching his friends, who included Elbow front man Guy Garvey, using simple line strokes which eventually became the defining style of his work.
Stan’s career took off when Jack and Meg White from US band The White Stripes spotted his work and subsequently commissioned him to create artwork for their Icky Thump album, which led to a Grammy nomination in the ‘Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition’ category.
In 2015 Stan was commissioned by the New York Times Magazine to create their front cover. The design featured a photograph of a metallic helium balloon depicting the face of Donald Trump floating away, which the former president referred to as “ridiculous!”. A lifelong Manchester United fan, Stan has a permanent football exhibition in Hotel Football, Old Trafford.
Since he started working as a professional artist nearly thirty years ago, Stan Chow has diversified into many areas within design and illustration, but he is best known for his distinctive portraiture of pop stars, actors, sports people and celebrities.
This will be the first time Stan has focused his attention on a collection of work from film, stage and television, as he says: “I had a lot of fun looking through my back catalogue to find the images that would work in the lovely space offered to me at The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre and it’ll be the first time my design of Sir Mark Rylance will be shown in public.
Janine Waters, Artistic Director of The Edge, added: “We are thrilled to have such a local legend bringing his work to The Edge, and this exhibition promises to be a very special one.”
“We are particularly excited to see Stan’s unique take on our patrons, alongside some other familiar faces. It is a privilege to have his work on show in our building in the heart of Chorlton.”
The Stanley Chow exhibition will run until May 30 and all signed, framed prints on display will be available to purchase for anyone visiting The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre in Manchester. To attend the opening night on February 14, you can apply for tickets here.
The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre: Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester M21 9JG.