Exhibition – Page 10 – Uncover Liverpool

Figures in Space

An exhibition featuring James Hallinan & Julie Lawrence

23rd August – 5th October

An exhibition showcasing a complementary duo; James and Julie share a reflective temperament on the impact of their body and mind through experiencing nature, solace and changes in environment. Their abstract figures boxed into rooms or distant on vast beaches are obscured, creating opportunity for the viewer to find a character and themselves within these works.

“I walk every day through local woods and heathland and am fascinated by the way experiences of changing light and weather influence memory and perception. As I contemplate the movement of my own shadow passing through that space, I consider how this is transformed by memory too.”

Julie explains more about her work; “The paintings selected for this exhibition are a response to my walking shadow; my shifting, momentary intuitions, where light and shadow improvise unanticipated harmonies experienced on this simple daily walk. Using predominantly pastels and water-based media, my work reveals my shadow as a transitional, ambiguous figure moving through space – an unresolved tension within the landscape that evokes the fleeting mixture of memory and perception. My instinctive working process involves building up layers of wet and dry media on a small scale. The ambiguous images that emerge strive to invite the viewer into a quiet psychological territory and a liminal space which hovers between nostalgic association and something unknown.”

Julie Lawrence is a Wirral based artist and her work references the spiritual painting language of the Visionary Landscape Tradition. She holds a BA (First Class) and an MA in Fine Art from Chester University. Her most recent exhibitions have included ‘The Pastel Society Annual Open’ exhibitions at the Mall Galleries in London, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Here she was also awarded the 2023 Yoshimoto prize . She is also pleased to have recently contributed to ‘The Drawing paper Show ‘ publication and exhibition and also Platforms Project in Athens. Her work is currently included in The Lady Lever Art Gallery artist spotlight on five female landscape artists working on the Wirral today.

James Hallinan is an artist based in Liverpool who primarily works on canvas using oils, acrylics, and pastels. James’ work has been featured in galleries in Ireland, the UK, and Mexico. James holds a BA in Visual Communication and a PGcert in Fine Art from the University for the Creative Arts London. James’s current work deals with themes surrounding heightened periods of emotions and the effects it has both on the mind and body while reflecting on the root cause. Using the body as a focal point in his work, James creates a visual language that externalises these internal experiences using symbolism throughout to represent past experiences or present beliefs.

Since moving to Liverpool James has used colour and composition discovered and documented while wandering around his local area which are then developed further in the studio. James uses this process to connect to new surroundings, unpack the emotional experience of emigrating from Ireland while drawing on the historical past and present of the area as well as his own. This can be seen in his current series of works, such as No Parking, Identity and Hill Street. The latter two along with the series Rooms are represented in the exhibition Figures in Space.

All artworks are for sale.

Join them for the Private View of the exhibition on Thursday 22nd August from 5pm-7pm.

All welcome, but please register here:

figuresinspacepv.eventbrite.co.uk

The dot-art Gallery can be found at 14 Queen Avenue, Castle Street, Liverpool, L2 4TX (just 5 minutes’ walk from Liverpool One).

Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-6pm

The exhibition runs 23rd August – 5th October 2024.

In the Window – Michael Murphy

Bluecoat Display Centre are delighted announce that our featured ‘In the Window’ artist for the 2024 Liverpool Irish Festival is Michael Murphy. His work will be in the window on College Lane throughout October 2024.

Michael’s practice is rooted in the use of traditional tooling to produce modern and innovative forms in both furniture and sculpture.

His current body of work centres around the death of the Ash tree. We watch as our hedgerow is forever transformed, a piece of nature soon to be confined to memory. His work aims to use these Ash trees and immortalise them in sculpture, exploring the limits of how thin he can turn them, having them drift into a liminal space between existence and non-existence which is the state of their species. These works have a sense of ritual about them, Michael likes to think of himself as exhuming the tree, gathering up it’s limbs and allowing them to be reborn as tactile objects.

Dan Kelly & Barry Stedman

The Bluecoat Display Centre are delighted to present this two man show – which features work by established ceramic artists Dan Kelly and Barry Stedman – both of whom will be showing work here in Liverpool for the first time.

Dan and Barry both treat the surfaces of their clay vessels like an incredible canvas. They have a sense of energy and drama to the application of the ‘drawing on clay’ which is echoed in the paintings that both produce and which will also feature in our exhibition. Inspired by the landscape of his rural surroundings, Barry’s pieces are bursting with beautiful vivid colours. In contrast, city based Dan uses no colour and his striking work is full of action.

Exhibition Opening
Join the team for a special opening event on Thursday 22 August 2024, from 5.30pm – 7pm. Refreshments will be served and Friends of the Bdc will receive a 10% discount on all purchases during the evening.

A curated selection of work by Dan and Barry will also be available through the Bdc online store.

Images: Ceramics by Dan Kelly (left, photography by Jenny Harper) & Barry Stedman (right).

Heritage Open Days: Heritage Tours wit...

Join Bryan Biggs, our Director of Cultural Legacies, for a tour of our Grade I listed building. Learn about our fascinating journey – from a charity school in the 18th century to the UK’s first arts center. Get special insights into our 300+ year history during Heritage Open Days.

Don’t miss out, reserve your free spot today. Booking essential.

We have two options available:

Fri 13 Sept, 11am – 12.30pm
Sun 15 Sept, 1pm – 2.30pm

Al-Mayida (The dining table in Arabic)...

Introducing our latest The Town Is the Gallery exhibition; “Al-Mayida” by Karema Munassar

“Al-Mayida” The Dining Table in Arabic is an interactive and community-focused art exhibition exploring the cultural and social significance of the dining table. This exhibit will delve into themes of gathering, sharing, and storytelling through various artistic mediums, including ceramics, textiles, and Arabic calligraphy.

The exhibition will feature a dynamic and participatory installation with the dining table as the central motif.

It aims to be a vibrant and inclusive celebration of community, culture, and creativity. By involving the local community in the creation process and incorporating elements of Arabic calligraphy, this exhibition will not only showcase diverse artistic expressions but also build a stronger sense of connection and understanding among participants and visitors.

Opening Times

Monday: 9am-1pm/2pm – 5pm
Tuesday: 9am-1pm/2pm -7pm
Wednesday: 9am-1pm/2pm – 5pm
Thursday: 9am-1pm/2pm -7pm
Friday: 9am-1pm/2pm – 5pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm/2pm – 5pm
Sunday: Closed

Tickets are not required and as always the exhibition is free to attend.

The Holly Johnson Story

Opening at Museum of Liverpool on Saturday 14 September 2024, The Holly Johnson Story explores the incredible life of Holly Johnson and his meteoric rise to fame, where he became one of the first openly gay and openly HIV+ high profile artists in history.

The opening of this exhibition also marks the 40th anniversary release of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s album Welcome to the Pleasuredome featuring Relax, Two Tribes and The Power of Love.

Supported by a £142,338 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Museums Liverpool has partnered with local arts organisations Homotopia and DuoVision in collaboration with Holly Johnson to deliver this landmark exhibition that will take visitors on a journey through Holly’s outstanding career, from his early years in Liverpool to international stardom.

Made possible by National Lottery players, the exhibition is part of a project that has documented LGBTQ+ heritage by working with sexual health and wellness charity Sahir, to explore Holly’s archive and capture the stories of local LGBTQ+ people in community workshops and oral history sessions.

Featured in the exhibition are unique items from Holly Johnson’s career, including iconic costumes by Leigh Bowery and Vivienne Westwood, Frankie Goes to Hollywood memorabilia, personal audio accounts of people living with HIV in Liverpool, produced in collaboration with Sahir House, and paintings by Holly himself.

Social and political unrest in a changing 1980s Britain led the way for a cultural revolution, set against a backdrop of synth-pop music and experimental sounds. The era was a time of innovation and rebellion, punks, and new wave bands, and at the forefront stood Holly Johnson.

The Holly Johnson Story charts Holly’s early personal life and career, from a young musician to an internationally renowned, openly gay star, living in the public eye. Dealing with the price of fame, coping with an HIV+ diagnosis and the unwanted negative press, whilst going it alone as a monumental LGBTQ+ icon.

Through polarising emotions of glamour and sexual liberation, alongside fear, loss, and stigma, The Holly Johnson Story tells the stories of people who experienced the gay scene in the 1980s, and the devastating impact and legacy of HIV.

Holly Johnson said: “The opportunity to mount this exhibition is actually like winning the National Lottery for me. As a teenager Music and Art were my passion, reading Jean Genet, William Burroughs and listening to the music of The Beatles, Marc Bolan, David Bowie and The Velvet Underground: seeing the films of Derek Jarman and Andy Warhol along with his supercharged colour paintings. Pondering over Peter Blake’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band artwork as a child led me ultimately to Hollywood and back again. Everything I was ever drawn to, through a lens of Queerness and controversy I brought with me into the future we live in now.”

Convenience Gallery Open Exhibition

Convenience Gallery are excited to bring the first of a series of exhibitions this summer to your attention in the form of the Convenience Gallery Open launching on the 26th July at their Pop Up in the former M&S Building on Birkenhead’s high street.

The open features 60 artists and even more artworks from a selection of local and national creatives. They will share more about the artists involved very soon, but for now get the 26th in your diary and they hope to see you there.

Launch Event

When: 26th July, Launch is 4pm – late.

Other viewing can be arranged by emailing on [email protected].

You can reach the exhibition by public transport, Birkenhead Central Station is closest, then Birkenhead Bus Station. What3words: wool.wages.placed Or park in the pyramids or outside mecca bingo. If riding your bike you can leave you bike at the entrance of the space or they would advise locking up securely somewhere on the shopping centre (although left at own risk).

They will have a pop up bar for the opening night and this is a FREE event, so bring your friends and family and get involved with arts and culture on Wirral. This event is part of the Wirral Borough of Culture for 2024.

Open Exhibition

The exhibition runs from 26th July – 30th August with the exhibition open to view on Thursdays (12 noon – 6pm) and Fridays (10am – 4:30pm).

Harun Farocki: In Comparison

See Harun Farocki’s 61-minute film In Comparison at Tate Liverpool + RIBA North. It showcases the different traditions and methods of brick production across the world, including brick burning, brick carrying and bricklaying. It investigates the colours and sounds of different cultures through their literal building blocks.

Farocki was a pioneering filmmaker and theorist. He made more than 90 films ranging from experimental documentaries to large-scale installations. His work often explores themes of capitalism and technology.

Port Cities

In partnership with British Council – MENA, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival launches their international visual arts project Port Cities. This exhibition premiere at Space Liverpool features newly commissioned work by artists Mohamed Abdelkarim, Laila Hida, Nadia Kaabi-Linke and Siska.

Situated where land meets sea, global port cities have unique characteristics. Their social, economic, political and cultural heritage is deeply connected to their roles as key centres for trade and migration. The artists visited Liverpool on a research residency in February 2024 to inform the development of new artworks critically exploring the past and future of port cities in both Liverpool and the Arab region.

From reflecting on Liverpool’s slave trade legacies to the ecological impact of human activities, this multidisciplinary exhibition presents new artistic perspectives on how ports have and continue to shape the character of cities, and how we connect across seas.

After premiering in Liverpool, the Port Cities exhibition will tour internationally to Tripoli, Lebanon; Alexandria, Egypt; Rabat, Morocco; and Tunis, Tunisia throughout 2024.

Exhibition opening afternoon: 1-4pm Friday 12 July. Featuring a performance by Siska.

Anish Kapoor: Monadic Singularity

To celebrate its centenary in 2024, Liverpool Cathedral is thrilled to present an exciting and UK-first exhibition by the internationally acclaimed British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor.

One of the most innovative and influential artists of our time, Kapoor is renowned for his iconic works, such as Cloud Gate in Chicago and the Orbit Tower at the Olympic Stadium in London. This landmark exhibition, titled ‘Monadic Singularity’, marks the first time Kapoor has presented a solo exhibition in a UK Cathedral and brings his extraordinary art to the North-West for the first time in over 40 years since his show at the Walker Art Gallery in 1983.

The exhibition contemplates key moments in life: birth, marriage, and death. Liverpool Cathedral, the UK’s largest cathedral, provides the perfect backdrop for this profound exploration. Visitors will embark on a journey through the Cathedral’s spaces, including a large-scale installation in the Well, a stunning reminder of our existence on Earth. The exhibition seamlessly integrates with the Cathedral’s gothic architecture, featuring a wax sculpture in the Main Space and additional works in the Lady Chapel and Ambulatory.

This exhibition showcases works created over the past 25 years, some of which have never been displayed in the UK, making it a must-see event that will undoubtedly enrich Liverpool’s artistic heritage. This is a historical moment for Liverpool Cathedral and the city itself, offering a rare opportunity to experience the work of one of the most notable and inspiring artists globally. Adding to the excitement, the Cathedral will host exclusive late-night openings, featuring trips up the Tower and refreshments from the Welsford Bistro.

‘Monadic Singularity’ is a highlight of Liverpool Cathedral’s centenary celebrations, which also include a People’s Service in July to commemorate the 100th anniversary of its Consecration in 1924.

This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of Culture Liverpool and the Liverpool BID Company, as well as the cathedrals partners Lisson Gallery and Boodles. Hospitality is provided in partnership with Novotel Paddington Village and Hope Street Hotel. With additional thanks to the Granada Foundation and all our supporters who wish to remain anonymous.

The Very Rev’d Dr Dean Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool said of this unmissable occasion “As we celebrate 100 years since this Cathedral was consecrated for prayer and worship, it is great to welcome an iconic artist to our iconic building. The Cathedral speaks of itself as a place of Encounter, and we hope that people will come and encounter the art of Anish Kapoor in our magnificent space.

We are a modern Cathedral that works with many contemporary artists, and we are delighted that Kapoor is displaying his magnificent art in this centenary year, in our Cathedral built for the people, by the people, to the Glory of God.”

Elisa Nocente, Head of Cultural Programme at Liverpool Cathedral and curator of the exhibition stated “It is an honour that Anish Kapoor has chosen to collaborate with Liverpool Cathedral in this landmark year. As one of the leading figures in contemporary art, he distinguishes himself by a unique visual language that embraces painting, sculpture, and architectural forms. Provoking both wonder and uneasiness, Kapoor’s artworks transcend their materiality; we hope that they will resonate on a deeply physical and emotional level for our audiences.”

Director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan CBE, said: “Over the past few years it has been fantastic to see how Liverpool Cathedral has solidified its reputation as a venue to showcase the work of some of the world’s most respected artists in a unique and unforgettable way.

“Culture Liverpool is delighted to work in partnership with the cathedral team to secure this culturally significant Anish Kapoor exhibition which is a huge coup for the city.

“And what a way to mark this special anniversary year, which will undoubtedly attract huge numbers of people to one of the most beautiful buildings in the country.”

The exhibition opens to the public on Saturday 10 August and runs until Sunday 15 September. Tickets will be available soon for exclusive late-night viewings at the Cathedral, which include a special tour of the show, on Thursday 15 and Thursday 22 August so keep an eye on the cathedral’s social channels.

Event type: Exhibition