A showcase of 28 international artists “explore the ever-changing nature of identity” in contemporary observations of socio-political issues, history, and gender. “Identity” is showing at Art with a Heart [AWAH] in Altrincham in the Greater Manchester area (UK) from 21st January to 13 March 2016, with a preview event evening on 29th January 2016.

Identity: perception of self and how others perceive us

The latest project at Art with a Heart [AWAH] in Altrincham delves into questions of “Identity” with a group of 28 artists whose work examines what defines personal or collective identity, many of them touching on personal observations as well as ethnicity, national origin, culture, or heritage.

Work by Ewa Habdas (detail), in 'Identity' at AWAH, Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Image courtesy the artist.
Ewa Habdas, ‘Variations of my soul’ (detail), in ‘Identity’ at AWAH, Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Image courtesy the artist.

The curator of “Identity”, Rebecca Wild, writes that for many people “…identity is something that is fluid [with an] ever-changing nature…”. This seems apt, particularly for many of the artists in this exhibition, born to another nationality (e.g., Syria, USA, Poland, India) and who are now living/working in the UK.

Charlie Dorsey, 'Goal posts in the wind', 2015, in 'Identity' at AWAH, Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Image courtesy the artist.
Charlie Dorsey, ‘Goal posts in the wind’, 2015, in ‘Identity’ at AWAH, Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Image courtesy the artist.

However, “Identity” is not limited to nationalistic/ethnic concerns; there are works here that “question ideas about identity across cultural boundaries” including socio-political issues, gender identity, or history.

Kelise Franclemont, 'Mt Scopus overlooking Jerusalem', from 'Postcards from the Land of No People', 2015, printed postcard. Image courtesy the artist.
Kelise Franclemont, ‘Mt Scopus overlooking Jerusalem’, from ‘Postcards from the Land of No People’, 2015, printed postcard, in ‘Identity’ at AWAH, Altrincham. Image courtesy the artist.

Each artist here offers an intimate and memorable expression of the self or their observations of the external world, presenting the question to the viewer: Is identity a way to see myself or a means for others to see me?

Work by Jose Galant, in 'Identity' at AWAH, Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Image courtesy the artist.
Jose Galant, ‘Selfie at Gaudi Island’, 2015, in ‘Identity’ at AWAH, Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Image courtesy the artist.

The artists in ‘Identity’ are:  Salma Ali, Hafsa Alvi, Zolt Astra, Agnieska Baczynska, Victoria Coster, Charlie Dorsey, Kelise Franclemont, José Galant, Patrick Green, Ewa Habdas, Jade Hanley, Xilesia Dwyer Henry, Amy J A Higgins, Ala Hmedy, Stacy Jackson, Magdalena Joanna, Mandy Lane, Julie Lawrence, Christopher Lee, Carol Meikleham, Alexander Montgomery, Nicola Radford, Jane Sproston, Sean Synnuck, Izzy Ventress, Nisant Vibhani, Bex Wild, and Davey Wilson.

Work by Agnieska Baczynska, in 'Identity' at AWAH, Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Image courtesy the artist.
Work by Agnieska Baczynska, in ‘Identity’ at AWAH, Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Image courtesy the artist.

About Art with a Heart

Founded in 2012 by artist Karen Wroe, AWAH is a charity that comprises of 4-5 small exhibition galleries and hosts workshops, exhibitions, charitable events, and volunteering opportunities aimed at supporting the arts and creative communities, as well as promoting Altrincham heritage and history.

(l-r) Karen Wroe and Rebecca (Bex) Wild at the preview evening for ‘Identity’ at AWAH, Altrincham, Manchester. Image courtesy AWAH.
Xilesia Dwyer Henry talks about her work, untitled, in ‘Identity’ at AWAH, Altrincham, Manchester. Photo credit Rebecca Wild.

“Identity” curator Rebecca (Bex) Wild holds an MA in Contemporary Curating from Manchester Metropolitan University and has been working at AWAH since 2013, managing the internal programme of exhibitions. Through her projects, Wild aims to offer “unique opportunities to the emerging creatives with the local community” by combining her curatorial approach with interest in “participation, experimentation, and unusual forms of art”.

Installation view of ‘Identity’ at AWAH, Altrincham (Greater Manchester). Image courtesy AWAH.
(foreground) Sean Synnuck. Installation view of ‘Identity’ at AWAH, Altrincham (Greater Manchester). Image courtesy AWAH.
Karen Wroe (centre) with visitors at preview evening of ‘Identity’, at AWAH, Altrincham. Photo credit Rebecca Wild.

More links and information

Exhibition details: “Identity” can be seen at Art with a Heart [AWAH], Town Centre, 82-84 George Street, Altrincham, WA14 1RF, from 21 January to 13 March 2016. Free admission, step-free access.

Preview event: 29 January 2016, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

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31 January 2016 – editor’s note: post updated to include additional artist/link (Xilesia Dwyer Henry) not listed previously and images from the preview opening night.