About ATM

In 2008, Shisha successfully launched the UK’s first Asia Triennial Manchester, in partnership with Castlefield Gallery, Chinese Arts Centre, Cornerhouse, The International 3, Manchester Art Gallery and Manchester Metropolitan University as a new long-term programme of contemporary arts and crafts by artists from Asia, the UK and the Asian diaspora.

Described in the media as “an intoxicating flavour of an artistically underrepresented part of the world”, ATM08 featured 5 stunning venue-based exhibitions, 23 site-specific new commissions, innovative residencies and publicly sited work by 18 artists from across Asia. 848 artists and participants were involved in the 2008 programme that reached an audience of nearly 400,000 people.

As ArtAsiaPacific noted, Shisha took the innovative approach of giving curatorial freedom to each partner venue. The result was“a unique, holistic experience” according to one of our participating curators.

Now its 2011, and all our 2008 venue partners have returned, and joined by many more new ATM venues. This growth has allowed for a more diverse and comprehensive survey of Asian art, with artists from new and diverse nations to ATM including Turkey and Mongolia.

So on behalf of the Shisha team and all our ATM partners, we welcome you to the festival and all its new, exciting flavours of Asian art.

Alnoor Mitha
Director, Shisha and Asia Triennial Manchester