In 2013 Raqib Shaw had a small survey exhibition at Manchester City Art Gallery, it was his first exhibition in the city.
“Visitors upon entering the gallery doors sweep past a magical series of willow and spring flower installations to discover paintings, sculptures and works on paper by Raqib Shaw. Beneath the seductive surface of his jewel-encrusted works, there lies a disturbing land inhabited by terrifying monkey warriors and other mythical beasts. Especially or the exhibition Shaw created a striking response to Manchester’s famous Cheetah and Stag with Two Indians by George Stubbs. Inspired by the impression the painting made on the artist as a young boy, this provocative work was on display alongside the original from the gallery collection. Other major works on display included Adam, a painted bronze overlaid with black diamonds, sapphires and rubies. The exhibition also featured a selection of glitter and rhinestone-encrusted acrylic works on paper from Shaw’s recent series Of Beasts and Super-Beasts. First shown in Paris in 2012, these incredibly detailed pieces depict creatures and still lives drawn from the artist’s imagination and highlight Shaw’s passion for drawing.” – Manchester City Art Gallery.
The exhibition was a collaboration between Manchester Art Gallery and Rudolfinum Prague.
Raqib Shaw, Manchester Art Gallery, 2013.
Installation photograph courtesy Manchester Art Gallery.
Artworks photographed by Prudence Cummings Associates, Ben Westoby, Todd-White Art Photography, Ellen Broughton and Stephen White.