Rebecca D.
Yelp
The CAC is one of Manchester's lesser-visited art hotspots, and I agree with Sarah-Jane, it's kind of a shame, really. I mean, it's a lovely place, full of fascinating Chinese art that you just won't see anywhere. But sometimes when you walk in, it can feel a bit...dead. For me, though, that quickly dissipates once you walk around a bit, and get lost in the art.
Oooh, that sounded a bit poncey, didn't it! Get lost in the art, eh? Who do I think I am!? Seriously though, one of my favourite things about Chinese art (and by extension, the CAC) is the immersive quality of the work. Chinese art, in general, is reflective and deep. I especially like work by female Chinese artists, and the CAC provides this in droves, recently hosting a series of live-art performances by Ying-Mei Duan, whose performances are stunning in their pared-down simplicity. Sarah Tse's current exhibition is at the other end of the scale, with her cutesy pencil drawings exploring themes of dreams and childhood.
The range of art on show at any time here changes at a fairly steady rate; don't expect an exhibition to stick around for more than a couple of months, and keep an eye out for short-term pieces.
Those of you who like tea will be delighted by the Tea House, serving authentic Chinese teas such as rose bud and peony. It's a nice touch, and a great place to wind down with friends. Tea Snob Friend gives it her TSF seal of approval!
Right now, I am very exciting about the upcoming Open Studio with Jamie Lau, which will be open daily from Feb 6th. With free admission to all exhibits, it's always worth a visit to the CAC, to soak up a little bit of culture and see something that you probably won't see anywhere else in Manchester.