where to get your fix For a city which has such a rich cultural, historical heritage; it’s not surprising that Liverpool has an excellent selection of galleries. by KEV McCREADY
Congratulations, you are lucky enough to be in a city where even a café or a derelict shop can be turned into an exhibition. So, look out for those. But while you are, you should definitely check out the big four galleries.
Obviously Tate Liverpool is the most famous. Situated on Albert Dock, it’s exhibitions are generally free. However, some can cost £10-15. Consider a Tate Gallery Pass for £65, which also offers a host of freebies.
Formerly a boarding school, The Bluecoat offers modern and avant garde art in impressive, well-lit but spartan rooms. At the edge of LiverpoolOne, it offers a refreshing dose of the unusual after a hard day of retail therapy.
The Walker has been in Liverpool for over a century. It has an impressive collection of classical art; the white space upstairs has more recent work. It also hosts The John Moores Prize, part of The Liverpool Biennial (next held in the autumn of 2014).
Probably the best kept secret is The Open Eye. It’s a photographic gallery with a real sense of adventure. Although it has it’s fair share of portraiture/social commentary, it can tilt towards the experimental.
And while you’re waiting for those pop-up galleries, look for Liverpool’s public art. We have more than our fair share of monarchs, conquerors and philanthropists, but there is work by everyone from Tommy Steele to Tony Cragg. “Liverpool Resurgent” by Jacob Epstein, is over the entrance to the old Lewis’s department store. This GrecoRoman nude is nicknamed ‘Dickie Lewis’ and is the traditional meeting place for a date. Love art? You’ll love Liverpool.