PAPER is a new micro gallery open in Manchester city centre, close to Victoria Station and MEN Arena. Paper will launch to the public on Saturday 1st September 2012 at a special evening event, 5 - 9pm. The launch will coincide with the annual Open Studio at Mirabel Studios. Paper launched its website www.paper-gallery.co.uk in July showcasing a range of artwork by local and international artists. Paper has also been invited to take part in the Manchester Contemporary in late September. Paper offers the public an opportunity to view and purchase the work of our artists on-line and now in its micro gallery space. The gallery will become a platform to introduce the public to the work of our artists. This will compliment the website which will form a useful resource, mapping the careers of these artists. It will also contain online content such as interviews and articles.

PAPER’s mission is to bridge the gap between audience, artist, and artwork, presenting critically engaged artworks in a domestic environment. Paper will focus solely on work on paper, paper as a support. Paper will present a wide range of originals and multiples, including drawings, paintings, prints, photography and even hand drawn animation. Paper will be accessible, creating an intimate atmosphere within our small gallery space. More importantly though, Paper will be affordable, selling work to promote artistic practice, and allowing our artists to support the creation of more ambitious projects. It is our ambition to place a piece of art in every home.

PAPER is the brainchild of Liverpool John Moores University Masters graduates Andrea Cotton, David Hancock, Nicola Smith and current Design Manager at Manchester Art Gallery, Ian Smith.

For our artists the use of paper is integral to their practice. For our stable of artists we have created a mix of emerging and mid-career artists, emphasising the dynamic between their practices, and highlighting their individual careers. Artists will include; Anna Puhakka from Finland, James Moore and Dawn Woolley, based in Cardiff, who curate together as Another Product, Simon Woolham, based at Wysing Arts Centre, Cambridgeshire and Miranda Whall, who will undertake artist residencies in Turkey and Mexico over the next year. Paper is also keen to develop the careers of emerging artists such as recent MMU graduate, Leanne Richardson.

PAPER will also exhibit work of Alice Bradshaw, Jenny Core, Philip Davenport, Julie Dodd, Bethan Hamilton, Naomi Lethbridge, Roshanna Rubin-Mayhew, Lucy May Schofield, Richard Shields, and Jenny Steele.