Latest News
New Art Exhibition Highlighting Ocean Sound Pollution Coming to The McManus
Starting at the end of May, a unique ceramic artwork called Sounding Line by Mella Shaw will go on display at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum.
The first UK institutional solo show from artist Mella Shaw is designed to raise awareness of how man-made underwater sound, like sonar, can harm whales. Sound pollution can deafen and confuse marine animals, making them come up to the surface too quickly and wash up on shore.
Mella was inspired to make this artwork after almost a 100 whales were found dead on beaches across Scotland and Ireland in 2018. This was largely unreported at the time.
Sounding Line includes large clay sculptures that were inspired by the tiny ear bones of whales. With permission from NatureScot, Mella made her own clay using whale bone.…
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Think Thursday at The McManus
Come and experience The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum during a late night opening! We are free to visit at any time, and during Think Thursdays, we will be offering a unique evening for all visitors. We will have a strong family focus that encourages everyone to take inspiration from our displays and undertake some self-directed creative activities.
On Thursday April 6th, our family space will transport you to Wild Escapes inspired by our natural history and art collections where you can create your own magical creature to add to the Art Fund website, We also have new nature trails available on clipboards for families to work through.
For those feeling artistic, we have a few easels and tables set up for self-directed activity based on close looking at…
Artwork from The McManus part of digital National Gallery Exhibition
Fruits of the Spirit is a digital exhibition that enables anyone to have an art gallery in their pocket!
Devised by the National Gallery and museums throughout the UK, Fruits of the Spirit: Art from the Heart pairs nine iconic works from the National Gallery’s collection with contemporary works from nine partner institutions including The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum. The exhibition is inspired by Saint Paul’s description of themes including love, joy, and peace in the Christian Bible but is meaningful for all faiths and none. The paired paintings explore love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control all considered attributes to build and maintain community in the face of disagreement.
The exhibition is co-…
Iconic signage donated to The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum
During the clearing of the former site of Lauries of Dundee, Blackness Nursery, an iconic sign from the family business of nurserymen and landscape gardeners has been discovered and will now be donated to The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum.
The site, situated on the south side of Perth Road, opposite its junction with Invergowrie Drive and Hazel Avenue, has been empty for a number of years. SimplyUK is currently developing a Care Home on it for their operating arm Morar UK.
SimplyUK has kindly agreed for the sign to be donated to The McManus: Dundee’s Museum and Art Gallery, which is managed by Leisure & Culture Dundee, where it will become part of the museum’s official collection.
James Laurie & Son, as they came to be known, were a well-…
What's New? Recent additions to Dundee's Fine Art Collection
The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum
From Saturday, 11 February 2023
The latest exhibition at McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum will open on Saturday (11 February 2023). 'What's New: Recent Additions to Dundee's Fine Art Collection' includes a major sculpture installation by Doug Cocker, a rare studio portrait by John Duncan and work by Joan Eardley, Alberta Whittle and Katie Paterson, amongst many other artists.
Dundee's fine art collection is recognised as of national significance to Scotland by Museum Galleries Scotland. It was established in 1874 when three local collectors gifted paintings to the City. Today the collection spans four centuries of production by artists working in Britain and Europe. At its heart is a superb collection of…
Hidden Histories: Exploring Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Dundee’s art collection
The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum
Exhibition runs throughout 2023
Many museums are coming to terms with the legacy of the past. Central to this is the question – whose lives do our collections reflect? This display reveals the work we have been doing to consider the 20th century art collection from different standpoints to provide a more inclusive view that better reflects the diversity of the world we live in. We hope that this will prove to be a fascinating insight into the ‘hidden histories’ that have long existed in museum collections across the country.
The ability to see your own life reflected in museum collections is important. While museums are seen by many as neutral spaces, historically they have reinforced the views of a narrow number of…
Subjectified: Women, Science and Art
Balancing Science Today
Advocating for diversity in the scientific industry in new McManus display.
A new exhibit, Subjectified: Women, Science and Art has gone on show at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum, and shares the stories of three scientists working at the University of Dundee.
The art-science collaboration explores women in physics as researchers, educators and as people in the Making of Modern Dundee Gallery at The McManus. Women and other gender minorities are increasingly present and accepted in today's sciences: both in industry and academia. But who are these women scientists as people? Silversmith Karen Westland set out to explore these ideas through their art practice and in the public exhibit which features modern ‘Cabinets of…
Former Robertson's store signage to be kept safe
Following the devastating fire and upcoming demolition of the former Robertson's furniture store on Barrack Street, also known as Willison House, we can confirm that discussions have taken place with Dundee City Council to ensure the safekeeping of the Robertson's and Willison House gate and signage at The McManus Collections Unit. Future plans for the signage and gate are still to be confirmed, but Leisure & Culture Dundee would like to reassure everyone that we will take good care of these objects meantime and are pleased to support efforts to save these items. Unfortunately, these won't be available for public viewing at the moment as damage to the items will be assessed by experts in the first instance.
Live Art Performances at The McManus
Saturday 29 October 2022, 12pm-4pm
The McManus is delighted to present Alastair MacLennan: Beyond the Archive a collaboration between the University of Dundee and Leisure & Culture Dundee. In 1992 The McManus staged Alastair MacLennan’s CAN’T CANT as part of the exhibition A Decade of Fine Art, celebrating the first ten years of the School of Fine Art. CAN’T CANT was performed over several days, between the Victoria Gallery and the gallery housing the Decade show. Thirty years after this seminal event, and approaching his 80th birthday, MacLennan premiers a new actuation SIBILANT MISCIBLE here at The McManus.
We also present two artists who have created new work in response to the Alastair MacLennan Archive. Hattie Godfrey selected by artist collective Bbeyond in…
Dundee Women's Trail Schools Project
A 'Small Steps' Dundee Women's Trail leaflet has been launched to allow children and families to learn more about some of the notable women connected to Dundee
The outreach project worked with over 125 children from Rosebank Primary School, Our Lady’s RC Primary School and St. Joseph’s RC Primary School. Primary 5 classes worked with a team of artists to learn about a selection of the women featured in the original Dundee Women’s trail. Through portraiture, storytelling and comics the children created and imagined what life would have been like for these women and these works informed the 'Small Steps' leaflet.
The work created during the six month project will be on show at The McManus and will be open to the public on weekdays until Thursday 23 June…
Formal Donation of Ship Models and Paintings from The Fraternity of Masters & Seamen to Dundee's Permanent Collection
The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum are pleased to share the news of a significant new donation to the City's permanent collection by The Fraternity of the Seamen, Dundee. The material, which previously had been on long term loan to the museum since 1876, has been formally donated to the City's permanent collection. The collection includes eight artworks and three ship of the line models.
This significant and important collection has had a long association with the museum, having first been offered for display by the Fraternity in 1876. An 1879 Free Library Report describes the collection as 'a valuable and interesting collection of pictures and models belonging to the Seamen Fraternity'. Ever since, they have played an essential role in the museum's…
