The Tony Wilson Archive is set to host its first ever gallery exhibition in Manchester, celebrating the life of Tony Wilson AKA ‘Mr Manchester’ and his lasting legacy on music, art and the city. Having been preserved and catalogued in museum vaults for the last nearly 20 years the Wilson family, led by Tony’s son Oliver, have partnered with Smolensky Gallery to host the first public exhibition held by the Tony Wilson Archive of his works.
Featuring limited edition prints, archival artefacts and collaborations with local creatives, the free exhibition is now open to the public, and will run until July 31. Owner of Smolensky Gallery and exhibition curator Joe Wilson said: “Tony Wilson’s impact on this great city is everywhere to see and hear, as the music he helped to shape enjoys its renaissance. It’s only right that the cultural works of Mr Manchester are available for everyone to see and enjoy.”
Who is Tony Wilson?
It’s near impossible to have a conversation about the history of Manchester’s music culture without one man and his impact on the city coming into the conversation, legendary broadcaster and co-founder of Factory Records, Tony Wilson. Joy Division, Happy Mondays, New Order and the Haçienda Nightclub are just some of the Manchester icons Tony Wilson aka ‘Mr Manchester’ played a part in creating.
What to expect at the Tony Wilson Archive gallery exhibition
The immersive exhibition curated by Smolensky Gallery features an intimate collection of personal letters, photography, memorabilia and artwork, exploring Tony Wilson’s impact on music, design and culture in Manchester.
The exhibition is anchored by 10 newly released risograph prints from the TWA M3 Collection which will be released throughout the year with the first edition available to view for the first time at the exhibition, with others released throughout the year. Designed in collaboration with Manchester-based artists DR.ME, The Tony Wilson Archive embodies the Wilson ethos with all works made in Manchester by local artists.
Tony Wilson fans also have a chance to purchase limited edition prints from the 10-piece TWA M3 Collection risograph print series. Released exclusively for sale through Smolensky Gallery in a limited run of 50 prints, with new prints released almost every month over an 18-month period.
Speaking about the exhibition, Oli Wilson, son of Tony Wilson, said: “This is the first time we’re doing something in the real world as the Tony Wilson Archive so it’s great to finally get here and be doing an exhibition with Smolensky Gallery, which I think is a great space and I couldn’t think of a better place in Manchester for our home over the next 12 months.
“It’s been a long journey for the archive over the last nearly two decades and I look forward to the panel conversation with the people who have been a part of that.. including the archivists and experts that have looked after it along the way.
“It’s been a huge joy for me to share the archive with the world. It’s really inspiring. All of the items tell a really unique story. A lot of these items haven’t been seen since the actual time they were made.. so it feels like an honour to bring them out into the world again, doubly so in doing it with DR.ME who have ensured process and production qualities in line with the original Wilson ethos.”
The Tony Wilson Archive exhibition is open now, until July 31, 2025 at Smolensky Gallery, ABC Building, 21-23 Quay Street Manchester M3 4AE and is free to visit.