Ryan Gander: The Find

About

Take a quest across the city in search of artist Ryan Gander’s latest works.

Look up from your phone, wander through the streets and keep your eyes peeled. Hundreds of thousands of coins are hiding in plain sight across Manchester city centre throughout MIF23...

But The Find uses a different kind of currency. These aren’t your bog-standard copper coins – they're collectable artworks, lucky charms and decision-making tools rolled into one, created by artist Ryan Gander.

If you stumble across one, pick it up and look closely. There are three designs to collect, each embellished with nuggets of wisdom to guide you and even help you make big, small or medium-sized decisions.

You’ll find them in key locations across the city centre... left on park benches, walls, steps, in food courts and libraries, tucked away in parking ticket machines or between tram seats. Think of them as your invitation to go out and explore.

With The Find, Ryan Gander injects mystery into our everyday encounters, encouraging us to see the world around us differently. Known for creating work that makes us question what we see, Ryan’s practice takes on many forms. The common thread between them? A real knack for storytelling.

And like a good story, you can decide whether to hold onto your coins forever or pass ‘em on. Finders’ keepers.

Photography: Lee Baxter