Inside Out: This is Manchester

About

Celebrate the faces who make Manchester with these larger-than-life portraits of the best of us. We want to put the people of Greater Manchester front and centre – to say this is a place that belongs to us, right from the very start. That's why we nominated over 200 of the greatest Greater Mancunians to have their portrait taken and then be proudly displayed at Aviva Studios during The Welcome.

Blown up in black and white, we can't think of a more visually arresting way to say we're welcome here – and you are too. It's not your standard photography display. Photographs will cover the floor of the Undercroft at the entrance to Aviva Studios – our playful way of inviting you in and letting you get up close and personal with the portraits. From our youngest (5!) to oldest (90!), everyone photographed is someone who radiates love for our city. Community leaders from Greater Manchester nominated by other residents. They all got the chance to meet and make connections over a series of photoshoots and engagement days – forging a bond we hope they'll share for a lifetime. Inside Out is a global art platform created by French artist JR. Over the past decade more than 500,000 people have taken part in an Inside Out project in over 152 countries and territories.

Each project helps communities make a statement by displaying large-scale black and white portraits in public spaces. For The Welcome, our project is all about celebrating belonging, pride and the people who make Manchester.