Last Updated on: 21st November 2023, 11:27 pm
The Sculpts, a renowned decorative homeware and lifestyle brand hailing from Manchester, is proudly announcing the successful completion of a remarkable collaboration with Manchester Museum. This extraordinary partnership has resulted in a bespoke range of illustrations that beautifully capture the essence of the museum’s entire collection.
Working closely alongside the Museum’s curatorial team, The Sculpts dedicated an entire year to immersing themselves in each individual collection. The outcome is a captivating and thought-provoking ceramic tile series named MANCHESTER, showcasing the brand’s signature style of highly detailed and clever pen and ink illustrations. These unique designs not only depict the artefacts themselves but also convey the fascinating stories that surround them.
The series encompasses a diverse range of themes that reflect the museum’s core values of sustainability, biodiversity, and inclusivity. Each tile presents a powerful and condensed narrative, standing alone as a remarkable piece of art. The inaugural tile, ‘M,’ pays homage to Manchester Museum itself, while the first ‘E’ represents the intriguing tale of Maharajah, a 150-year-old elephant who embarked on a peculiar journey by foot from Glasgow to Manchester. Moreover, the series acknowledges Manchester’s historical ties with China and Southeast Asia, features extraordinary prehistoric artefacts, and highlights the Museum’s efforts in safeguarding biodiversity in the Rainforests of Panama and Costa Rica. Additionally, the collection includes a standalone tile celebrating the symbolic use of bees throughout history across various cultures, along with companion illustrations that adorn greetings cards.
This collaborative project coincides with the ongoing renovation of the Museum’s Oxford Road site. Museum Director Esme Ward, a leading figure in this partnership, expressed her delight, stating, “Observing the development of this collaboration with The Sculpts has been an absolute pleasure. It perfectly encapsulates our recent transformation at Manchester Museum, emphasizing our dedication to biodiversity, showcasing our most beloved exhibits, local archaeology, and community relationships. Each illustration intricately weaves together artefacts, heritage, and culture. Art possesses the power to drive change, and this new range exemplifies the changes we are currently experiencing while highlighting the ongoing narrative of transformation that defines our remarkable city of Manchester.”
The Sculpts, a brand firmly rooted in Manchester, specializes in surreal yet meaningful designs that pay homage to the city’s industrial spirit and its surroundings. Leading the brand is Richard Bennett, an accomplished illustrator and architect. Richard brings The Sculpts’ designs to life, infusing them into their distinctive range of ceramics, prints, and textiles. With every design, the brand passionately encapsulates the heart and heritage of Manchester, ensuring that intricate details and profound meanings are embedded within.
Collaborating with Manchester Museum marks the latest in a series of prestigious projects undertaken by The Sculpts in collaboration with esteemed Manchester institutions. Notable previous partners include the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Central Library, and the National Trust.
Richard Bennett, Founder and Designer of The Sculpts, enthusiastically commented on the collaboration, stating, “Collaboration lies at the core of our creative philosophy, and our partnership with Manchester Museum has been an incredible opportunity to explore and celebrate the archives and culture of such a highly respected institution.”
To learn more about this remarkable collaboration and to explore The Sculpts’ captivating collections, please visit our website: www.thesculpts.com
