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Manchester Jewish artist unveils new work to promote ‘harmony and cohesiveness’
Beverley Jane Stewart’s painting will be on show at Manchester Jewish Museum
October 16, 2025 11:46
Beverley Jane Stewart’s painting will be on show at Manchester Jewish Museum
October 16, 2025 11:46A Jewish artist is unveiling a painting at Manchester Jewish Museum on Sunday, which she hopes will help promote “harmony and cohesiveness...in these turbulent times”.
Beverley Jane Stewart’s painting, Adapting to Change, depicts the experiences of different immigrant communities in Manchester. It is being launched to coincide with the Cheetham Cultural Festival 2025.
The artwork shows the influences of the Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities on the city, as well as the Christian community.
Stewart said: “It is important that harmony and cohesiveness is fostered especially in these turbulent times. The fear for safety by the recent tragic event suffered by the Manchester Jewish community should be challenged.
“The practice of different religions or lifestyles should not be seen as a treat. The freedom to co-exist with our neighbours and enjoy diversity should be an enriching experience.”
Stewart said that she had used several different techniques to convey a range of messages.
She used pyrography – using a heated object to make burn marks –to create sepia “shadows” of past Jewish life, including synagogues and factories, the latter of which were established by entrepreneurs in the the early 19th century, as well as Jewish soup kitchens, hospitals and schools.
Also central to the painting is Manchester’s first Sephardi synagogue in Cheetham Hill, which is now part of the museum.
Stewart said that while it was no longer a place of worship, it is “a reminder of a past affluent Jewish life within this area. The iconic buildings of Jewish life are now replaced by fashion outlets, many owned by the Asian community.”
The painting also shows halal meat suppliers, restaurants, supermarkets and tailors, which sprung up further north.
“The message in this painting is not only to understand how communities evolve but also to highlight the shared experiences many ethnic groups have in common – the need to adapt and change to a strange environment,” said Stewart.
She also has a temporary exhibition of paintings inspired by Jewish communities around the country at the museum.
On October 19, Manchester Jewish Museum will be running a series of workshops as part of the Cheetham Cultural Festival 2025. For more information, click here
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