People, Places, Postcards

PEOPLE, PLACES, POSTCARDS

PEOPLE, PLACES, POSTCARDS How can you capture the people and places which represent your local area in a frame that is just 3.5 by 5 inches?

Well…Open Eye Gallery invited the public to try and do exactly that.

For the past 8 weeks people have been responding to our main gallery exhibition, A Place of Our Own, with their own collage and hand-drawn postcards exploring the people and places that matter most to them.

A Place of Our Own brings together the local stories of people across Walton (North Liverpool), Prescot (Knowsley) and Chester town centre, with photographers Suzanne St Clare, Tony Mallon, Lucy Hunter, Sarah Weights and Tricia Grant-Hanlon. All the works produced are examples of socially engaged projects, meaning that photographers and local communities have come together to co-author work which best reflects their local area. Whilst the three projects on display show varying views and responses to each location, what connects them is a clear pride in people’s memories and associations with each place.

Within the gallery, we created a dedicated workshop area for the public to continue the conversations raised in the exhibition, ranging from pride in local heritage and culture to concerns of regeneration and urban development. The postcards made by the public throughout the exhibition highlight the diversity of views and pride of place people have for their local area. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers, Aditi Shah and Freya Atherton, this beautifully designed zine is a real celebration of the work produced.

Foreword by Liz Wewiora, Head of Social Practice, Open Eye Gallery Images curated by Aditi Shah and Freya Atherton.

My breath feels unchallenged and free..like I want to take my next one as much as I need to. There’s comfort in this air that I must thank

My postcard represents the area of Warrington, depicting two of the eight giant cooling towers due for demolition in the new year. The chimneys act as flower pots, hinting at the regrowth of this space - a change I am interested in seeing.

Dear stranger, Life can be strange at times, who knows what’s going on at all times.

Many strange times in life.

From, another stranger Unknown address

Don’t be afraid to share your art with the world.

Dear Thisbe, I wish there weren’t a wall Love, Pyramus

Do you see? Jonny G

And I has this idea but it was wall after wall after wall.

Culture Warrington. Trent Dunlop

To whoever reads this. Be you. Be who you needed when you were younger and be the change you want to see in the world.

Love will win.

Hi Home. I miss you. Love P. Bolton, Manchester xxx

Hello! I’m Maha. I was born in Baghdad, lived in Amman, then Auckland (NZ), and now London. I’m lucky I’ve found many homes all over the world. I hope yours is happy and welcoming. xoxoxo

I love the free exhibitions Liverpool, the number of queer events, and events dedicated to celebrating different groups. I would like to see the communities in Liverpool come together more often, and better integration and inclusion.

To Open Eye This is my hometown Heald Green. The population is small but the majority is of the older generation. We have care homes, cafes and charity shops. It’s a lovely little village. Enjoy.

For me, a place feels most special to me when I can confidently be myself and engage in my surroundings. I love open, minimalistic spaces such as fields where I can walk and relax. Vast spaces are important to me so I value having these spaces in my community.

Green spaces where we can breathe, be, exist. Tidy and litter free spaces, space for wildlife to thrive and co-exist.

J.G, 28.10.23

Whatever changes occur may they ensure we not only have bread (end the need for food banks) but roses too (art and beauty for all)

To Andy!

I hope you know how much I love you.

Love Mollie

Born in a vacuum between time and space My little cousins born in the pandemic What will they create? What will they imagine?

When your formative years are spent in a state of liminal turmoil How do we convey to them the inherent peace and beauty in our world…

A place that lets the sun rise and the moon meet her.

A place that lets the delight of nature flourish, inspire & elevate us. It’s warm where it’s cold & it’s glistening where there’s sun.

and when I am there, you are there & all is well

A place to run, rest and love free in the wild nature of our world.

I luve you Alis

I’m from India, so my heart is in two places. But I feel like every place you visit, even momentarily, has a trace of you. You become a part of it like it becomes a part of you. So a place of my own is every place I’ve ever been in.

The small village of No - Denmark Sara Jorgensen

Make sure you make time to keep the spiders out the garage and enough time to collect shells.

19.11.23

Liverpool is wonderful but like London feels as if young people do not have the opportunity for small ventures that more culture on.

Rich Landlords = Poor Culture

We all capture our own stories. Differently! We are all different

Colourful, Freedom, Young, Wild, Free. All different Live life to fullest!

Turf Murp, 07/11/23, Ireland

Always see things through the bigger picture! Things may seem black and white but always turn the page for a better future! Co, Dublin. 07/11/2023

My story is full of colour and life so enjoy it!

Ellesmere Port Lots of memories with old friends who I grew apart from. Driving around at night, fields and trees, hugs and connections.

I miss my friends by they’re 4 years away! Now my favourite places are gentrified & built over.

Find pleasure in searching for sense of self.

Stairway to whatever you like!

Hope, Faith and Recovery I come from a small seaside city, Brighton. Changed by drink + drugs, we grow together bonded by love, sunshine + the BEACH!