MANC WAY - A New Perspective

Photographs by Michael (d'agostino) Mackenzie

At The Lowry Hotel | The exhibition runs from 15.01.26 - 24.02.26

 

Comme Ca Art is pleased to start the 2026 Exhibition Programme at the Lowry Hotel with a brand new series of photographic artworks by photographer, Michael (d'agostino) Mackenzie. 

 

"When I have an idea for a new body of work I am starting a new visual story, it’s what I do, I tell stories through my images. I like to find some sort of metaphor to help me create this. The Mancunian Way has become this living, aging, decaying, giant Brutalist monster that runs through the heart of Manchester city centre. Often overlooked is its sculptural beauty, its wonderful abstract shapes, its cinematic quality against the brooding Manchester skies. All of which I felt inspired to capture in my photographs." Michael Mackenzie

 

Once dubbed Manchester's 'Highway in the Sky' and soon to reach its 60th year since its construction, The Mancunian Way was the answer to Manchester’s traffic congestion at that time. Michael is not alone in championing the Mancunian Way as an important part of Manchester’s cultural heritage. The Brutalist style in recent years has grown in popularity and appreciation among architectural and cultural critics in both the press and on social media. 

 

Michael wanted to bring a new perspective to this iconic structure. By exploring its skin and texture, he uncovered strange markings in the concrete, where abstract, age-etched shapes came to resemble symbols of moving traffic.

 

The lights from moving vehicles resemble film projections across its surface, turning it into a giant cinema screen. The concrete structure becomes an artist’s blank canvas, and through the process of ageing has created its own visual art — something that deeply fascinated Michael. This is most evident on the structure’s underbelly, a rarely seen space revealed only through closer observation.

 

This exhibition is a small part of a large body of work Michael has produced over a 2-year period but it isn't the end of his exploration of this magnificent structure. To Michael this feels just like the beginning, knowing there is more to explore and uncover. 

 

Michael has been a practising photographer for over 30 years, with his work exploring themes of time, place, memory, and emotion. He has been greatly influenced by Cubism, Surrealism, and Modernist works.

 

In 2017 Michael created STAMPA Fine Art Photo Prints (STAMPA translates to print in Italian) a nod to his Italian roots. He introduced his Mamma’s maiden name for his photographic business after she passed away.

 

PLEASE CONTACT COMME CA ART DEALERS FOR ANY SALES ENQUIRIES. 

CLAIRE TURNER | claire@commecaart.com | T: +44 (0) 161 273 5495

CCA GALLERY 5TH FLOOR | HOPE MILL | 113 POLLARD STREET | ANCOATS | MANCHESTER | M4 7JA

​

 

 

​

​