At the opening of Un-Fair-Ground at The Whitworth in Manchester, artist Delaine Le Bas transformed the gallery into an immersive environment using layered textiles, painted slogans, and fairground imagery. The exhibition is designed to be experienced as a single, cohesive space rather than a series of separate works, inviting visitors to engage with themes of visibility, representation, and resistance.
The Un-Fair-Ground Mural
The centerpiece of the exhibition is the large-scale mural Un-Fair-Ground, originally created for Glastonbury Festival and reworked for The Whitworth. Its bold graphic style and dramatic lettering create a sense of spectacle while provoking reflection on social and cultural visibility. Photography captured the scale and intricacy of the mural, emphasizing how the work dominates the gallery space and anchors the exhibition’s narrative.
Witch House and Domestic Resistance
Another significant work, Witch House, incorporates wallpaper and stitched phrases to reframe domestic space as a site of resistance. Photography highlights the layered textures, hand-crafted details, and the way Le Bas uses domestic motifs to explore complex social commentary.
Performance and Shared Experience
During the opening evening, performance elements brought the exhibition to life, shifting the atmosphere and drawing audiences together. Photography captured these moments of interaction, reinforcing the exhibition’s focus on shared experience and the dynamic relationship between art, space, and visitor engagement.
Exhibition Details
Delaine Le Bas: Un-Fair-Ground is on display at The Whitworth, Manchester until 31 May. Visitors can experience a thought-provoking combination of textile art, murals, and performance that challenges traditional notions of visibility, community, and representation.
