Yuki Kihara - Darwin in Paradise Camp Preview and Artist Talk

The Whitworth is proud to present Whitworth special exhibition Yuki Kihara: Darwin in Paradise Camp. Featuring Kihara's acclaimed installation Paradise Camp (2022), first presented at the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion in the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022, and a new video work, Darwin Drag (2025).

📅 Thursday 2 October 2025*

⏰ 6pm - 8:30pm

📍the Whitworth

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Kihara delves into art histories and archives to unpick the effects of colonialism on the peoples and ecologies of the Pacific. The artists visually compelling projects centre and empower the Fa’afafine and Fa’atama in Sāmoa, traditional yet marginalised third gender communities to which the artist belongs.

Blending scholarly research with theatrical staging, this exhibition combines art historical paintings, wallpapers, specimens, photography, videos and archives to reveal shared histories, whilst nurturing an Indigenous queer world based on self-determination, where community and care are central.

For the preview, Yuki Kihara will join us online from Samoa to introduce the exhibition, followed by a live Q&A. This will take place in the Grand Hall at 7pm, and will start promptly.

Yuki Kihara: Darwin in Paradise
3 October 2025 – 1 March 2026

Darwin in Paradise Camp is a touring exhibition from the Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia. The exhibition has been adapted for the Whitworth by Yuki Kihara, Poppy Bowers, Senior Curator (Exhibitions) and Vaishna Surjid Curatorial Assistant (Exhibitions) the Whitworth, with public programme developed by Dominic Bilton, Producer (Public Programmes), the Whitworth, The University of Manchester.

6pm Bar opens (Gallery 3)

6:40pm Grand Hall doors open

7-7:45pm Online artist talk and Q&A (Grand Hall - limited capacity, first come first served)

7:45-8:30pm Head back down to the bar to continue the conversation, or head to the exhibition

About the venue

The Whitworth is a venue with level access throughout, and facilities to support you during your visit. Alongside this our visitor team will be on hand to assist you in the gallery. Find out more about planning your visit to the Whitworth and accessibility information for you.

If you’d like to speak to a team member about any access or additional needs, please get in touch with the gallery and we will be happy to assist you. Email d2hpdHdvcnRoIHwgbWFuY2hlc3RlciAhIGFjICEgdWs= or telephone 0161 275 7450.

The Whitworth art gallery and gardens is driven by a mission to work with communities to use art for positive social change, and actively addresses what matters most in people’s lives. We are proudly part of The University of Manchester, operating as a convening space between the University and the people of the city.

(Image Credit: Darwin Drag, Copyright Yuki Kihara).

(Image Credit: Yuki Kihara photo by Ralph Brown)

Also check out other Exhibitions in Manchester, Arts events in Manchester, Nonprofit events in Manchester.