Internationally-renowned artist Ghislaine Howard has joined a selection of female artists in a new exhibition in Manchester city centre.

The fascinating new exhibition, which runs until 5 March at Contemporary Six Gallery, draws on the theme of ‘habitat’. 

The work in the exhibition has been chosen to create a dialogue between urban and natural spaces, whether real or imagined, and Ghislaine has no less than eight paintings on display. 

Glossop-based Ghislaine - who is known widely as a powerful and expressive painter - has lived and worked in the north west for 35 years; over that time she has had exhibitions at most of the region’s major cultural institutions including Salford Art Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery, the Lowry, Imperial War Museum North, the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Cathedral and many of the privately owned galleries in the city.

Ghislaine was named as a Woman of the Year in 2008 for her contribution to art and society, her paintings and drawings chart and interpret shared human experience.

Art lovers can view Ghislaine’s work across the city. 

Around the corner at Manchester Art Gallery, Ghislaine’s drawing Ante Natal Examination may be seen on the wall of the Creative Families’ Gallery. This drawing is part of the gallery’s collection and was acquired in 1993 when Ghislaine’s groundbreaking exhibition A Shared Experience which charted and responded to aspects of hospital birth, was shown in the same space.

Across Manchester at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Ghislaine’s Pregnant Self Portrait may be seen as part of a powerful and moving exhibition entitled Still Parents which runs until 4 September.

Visitors to the city centre will also soon be able to view an extensive collection of Ghislaine’s work housed in Elliot House, the iconic building which is home to Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce on Deansgate.

Over the last two years, Ghislaine and her husband, the art historian Michael Howard, have been working with GMCC to transform the building with paintings. 

This has been so successful that the Chamber have asked Ghislaine to make their building ‘the home of the Ghislaine Howard Collection’ and four beautiful rooms have been specially curated by Michael and 

Ghislaine, working with the film-maker/curators Al and Al to create a unique cultural space within the city centre. 

This is only the beginning of what will prove to be a very exciting and innovative collaboration which in due course will reach out into the city to continue and develop the legacy of progressive and radical thinking that characterises not only the ambitions and purpose of GMCC, but the city of Manchester itself.

Steven Dexter, from Glossop Creates, said: “It’s incredible to watch Ghislaine inspire so many in our town, which is home to such wonderful creative talent. 

“The new exhibition celebrates female artists and runs up to International Women’s Day. Glossop is a northern beacon of female creativity, with national treasures like Vivienne Westwood and Hilary Mantel having called these dark peaks home. 

“Beatrix Potter was inspired by the textiles her grandfather produced at Dinting Vale Mill, and we have tales of strong female role models from the suffragette movement in our local history.

“Glossop Creates hopes to inspire all future change makers to take positive creative action, based on these traditions and the critical values of our predecessors. 

“Contemporary Six is a leading gallery and we urge the town’s art lovers to pay it a visit over the next week or so to see Ghislaine’s powerful, expressive work, which shines a light on our collective humanity and vulnerability.”

‘Habitat’ can be enjoyed at the Contemporary Six Gallery, 37 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4FN / Tuesdays - Saturdays - 10.30am - 5.30pm

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