Collections Care Centre

Image: Vlisco, ‘Dutch Wax’ cloth depicting orange planes

About

'Visitors should be able to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors as a counterpoint to what is within.' Margaret Pilkington, Director of the Whitworth, 1935-58

Care sits at the heart of the purpose of the new, Collections Care Centre. Our activities to support the care of people and the collection come together in this room, supported by staff, volunteers, artists, and healthcare professionals.

Alongside this, the Natural Cultural Health Service at the Whitworth aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Manchester’s people using art, creativity and the natural environment. Together with our friends and partners that hold expertise in this area, we have developed a range of activities that promote physical and mental wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into focus the importance of parks, gardens and green spaces more than ever. In the recent times of being confined to our homes, more and more people have recognised the healing benefits of connecting to nature.

The wallpapers on display were designed in the years after World War 1 and the 1918-19 influenza pandemic. They are from a time focused on rejuvenation and recovery. The textiles and paintings refer to the green spaces on our doorsteps, alongside dreams of travel to Lagos, Cairo, or Provence. Hollyhocks, lotus flowers, tulips, birds and insects mingle with us as we start to come back together again.

Click here to book your FREE entry ticket

Image: Vlisco, ‘Dutch Wax’ cloth, 2018
Courtesy: The Whitworth, The University of Manchester