Art Talk 2026

Across Friday to Sunday, artists, curators and producers take the stage for talks, screenings and conversations. Hear how artworks find their way from studio to public collection, catch a film screening exploring class and self-invention, and get to know some of the North’s most exciting creative voices in conversation.

Programme

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20 Nov 2026
  1. Behind The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund 2026 Acquisitions
    Central 5 in main entrance
    Join this conversation to learn more about The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund 2026 Acquisitions and uncover the journey from artist studio to public collection. We will be exploring how the artworks …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Fiona Corridan
    Fiona Corridan - Manchester Art Gallery
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Fay Ballard
    Fay Ballard
    Speaker image for Nat Pitt
    Nat Pitt - Division of Labour
  2. Making Worlds: Producing as Creative Practice
    Central 5 in main entrance
    esea contemporary and Manchester Art Fair are pleased to present 'Making Worlds: Producing as Creative Practice,' a panel exploring the people, relationships and infrastructures that shape contemporar …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Xiaowen Zhu
    Xiaowen Zhu - esea contemporary
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Vivienne Chow
    Vivienne Chow
    Speaker image for Ekene Akalawu
    Ekene Akalawu
    Speaker image for Freo Majer
    Freo Majer
    Speaker image for Luka Yuanyuan Yang
    Luka Yuanyuan Yang
  3. Divine Youth: Class, Escape and Self-Invention
    Central 5 in main entrance
    A screening of Elliott Flanagan's short film, followed by a conversation exploring working-class youth culture, masculinity, package holidays, escape, memory and self-invention. Growing from Elliott's …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Beth Hughes
    Beth Hughes
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Elliott Flanagan
    Elliott Flanagan
    Speaker image for Nat Pitt
    Nat Pitt - Division of Labour
21 Nov 2026
  1. In Conversation with Ron Ashtiani
    Central 5 in main entrance
    Artist Ron Ashtiani talks everything from art to video games and film making with our talks host Polly Checkland Harding
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Polly Checkland Harding
    Polly Checkland Harding
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Ron Ashtiani
    Ron Ashtiani - Ron Ashtiani
  2. Kathryn Alice in association with Porsche
    Central 5 in main entrance
    Kathryn Alice Olley is a Lancashire based contemporary  narrative illustrator and fine artist. Her richly detailed panoramas capture  places, people, and shared memories, inviting viewers to explore t …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Polly Checkland Harding
    Polly Checkland Harding
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Kathryn Alice Olley
    Kathryn Alice Olley
22 Nov 2026
  1. A Wild Eye
    Central 5 in main entrance
    What is it that makes someone compelled to put a fine art wildlife image on their wall? Is it a yearn for a connection with a wilder side of life, or simply something beautiful? In this talk, Andy des …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Andy Skillen
    Andy Skillen - Andy Skillen Photography
  2. Lazerian in Conversation
    Central 5 in main entrance
    Liam will reflect on two decades of LAZERIAN: the experiments, collaborations and defining projects that have shaped the practice. Sharing the realities of building a creative business, he will discus …
    Chairperson
    Speaker image for Polly Checkland Harding
    Polly Checkland Harding
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Liam Hopkins
    Liam Hopkins
  3. Perspective in My Artistic Practice: Exploring the art of perspective through drawing
    Central 5 in main entrance
    In this talk, architectural illustrator, artist and author Simone Ridyard explores how perspective informs her artistic practice, from on-location sketching and architectural drawing to composition an …
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Simone Ridyard
    Simone Ridyard - Simone Ridyard