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Imran Perretta: the destructors

Opening Wednesday 19 May 2021
Following the Government's Roadmap out of lockdown guidance

Imran Perretta: the destructors

The Whitworth presents a new 2-screen film by London-based artist Imran Perretta. Drawing on the artist’s own experience as a young man of Bangladeshi heritage, the film explores personal and collective experiences of marginalisation and oppression. Shot on location in Tower Hamlets, East London, it reconsiders the figure of alienated male youth, exploring the complexities of ‘coming of age’ for young Muslim men living in the UK.

Booking details*

Click here to book your free timed ticket for Imran Perretta: the destructors 


*Tickets will be available to book from the week beginning Monday 10 May, following the Government's Roadmap out of lockdown guidance.

The film screens every half hour from 11am to 3.30pm, and ticket bookings are scheduled to link with the film screening times below. Please allowing yourself enough time to check in and be seated before the film begins.

The film lasts for approximately 25 minutes.

Screening times: 11am, 11.30am, 12pm, 12.30pm, 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm


The exhibition at the Whitworth will be accompanied by a limited edition print by Imran Perretta to be launched in early summer 2021.

The film is produced by Chisenhale Gallery, London and Spike Island, Bristol, and commissioned by Chisenhale Gallery; Spike Island; The Whitworth, The University of Manchester; and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead and supported by Outset Contemporary Art Fund. It premiered at Spike Island on 27 September until 8 December 2019, continuing onto partner venues throughout 2020-21. The exhibition at the Whitworth has been made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Whitworth.

Working across moving-image, sound, performance and poetry, Perretta’s work explores ideas of biopower, marginality and the (de)construction of cultural histories. Recent exhibitions include 15 Days, Jerwood Space, London (2018); Mene Mene Tekel Parsin, Wysing Arts Centre, Cambridge (2017); it wasn’t a crash, in the usual sense, Arcadia Missa, London (2016); 5 percent, Copenhagen Art Week, Denmark; and Devotions, MOT International Project Space, London (both 2015). Perretta has been shortlisted for the Jarman Award 2019.

News: Congratulations to Imran Perretta

Imran Perretta has been awarded a Turner Prize bursary for his work the destructors, which is exhibited here at the Whitworth from Wednesday 19 May 2021. Click here to read about this Turner Bursary awarded to 10 artists. (Press: 2 July 2020)


An online trailer for Imran Perretta’s new film commission and exhibition, 'the destructors', produced by Spike Island, Bristol and Chisenhale Gallery, London, premiered at Spike Island, September 2019.


Opening: Wednesday 19 May 2021, following the Government's Roadmap out of lockdown guidance.


19 May – Autumn 2021

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Image: Imran Perretta, the destructors (2019)
Production still. Courtesy the artist. Photograph by Lenka Rayn H.