Museum of Science and Industry

Members of the Manpowered group have been attending workshops at MOSI for the past year.

Manpowered: A Men's Group Challenging Disability is the first exhibition in MOSI's new Community Exhibition Gallery, and features striking artwork, photographs, a cartoon strip, and museum collection items such as a 1910 miner's lamp, early light bulbs, and a 1960s reel tape recorder. The objects were chosen during handling sessions in MOSI's Collections Centre.

The men attended regular sessions at MOSI, where they looked at historic objects and used these as triggers for discussion about their thoughts and feelings. They learnt new skills such as research, interviewing, filming and photography, and worked with art, craft and poetry to create the exhibition and film about their lives with learning disabilities.

The project led to many therapeutic benefits for members, including improved confidence, inspiration and new skills. One man rarely went out before he attended the sessions and was extremely shy, but is now a leading member of the group, while another has gone on to do a photography course.

Come to the exhibition and see the group's fascinating journey.

Exhibition in collaboration with Manchester mencap and Manchester Metropolitan University.