In this regular La Vida Liverpool feature, guest writer and historian David Hearn educates us on some fascinating local history. With a wealth of knowledge, David gives talks and walking tours on subjects such as the history of Liverpool, wars, slavery, maritime, Liverpool’s links with America and more. In this feature he talks us through the public art of Liverpool….
When we are in Liverpool city centre we always seem to be busy – trudging to work, shopping, meeting friends or any of a dozen other reasons but, if we take our time to look, Liverpool is a free open air art gallery. Let’s have a quick look around the city centre to see if I can remind you of some things you may have seen before or show you some public art that you had not even noticed.
Over the arched window of the Lobster Pot opposite Central Station you can see a loaded camel lying down – ruined at some stage by brackets being fastened around it for a long lost sign. Williamson Street is a narrow street off Church Street but on the building at the corner of this street and Church Street you can see two white bas reliefs of twin-tailed mermaids holding sheets full of coins. These are by the great Liverpool sculptor Tyson Smith and the building was originally a bank designed by the world class Liverpool architect Herbert J. Rowse.
Very high on the Basnett Street wall of the TK Max shop there are a number of wonderful carvings but perhaps the most interesting one shows a First World War tank bristling with guns. Countless people walk past this every day, blissfully unaware of its existence.
Liverpool’s Cenotaph in front of St George’s Hall is accepted as one of the most prestigious war memorials in Britain. Designed by Lionel Budden of the University of Liverpool and with bas reliefs by Tyson Smith it manages to be both simple and dramatic at the same time.
On one face there are people mourning the loss of loved ones during the war – in the section shown here there are four people, the couple on the left appear to be wealthy and are dressed in fine clothes but the young woman third from left clearly cannot afford shoes and stands bare-footed. It didn’t matter if you were a millionaire or poverty stricken the loss of a loved one was equally distressing.
It may sound like a silly question but where in Liverpool would you find a carving of some balls of wool and two knitting needles? The answer is on the Hope Street side of the building that is on the corner of Hardman Street and Hope Street. This building was once the School for the Blind and knitting is one of the skills that was taught there.
Even if UNESCO have removed Liverpool from the list of World Heritage Sites the City remains a “~Maritime Mercantile city” as proved on many buildings around the city and none more so that the magnificent portrayals of Mercury – the God of trade and commerce and Neptune – the God of the Sea which can be found on the front of the Adelphi Hotel.
The Spirit of Liverpool is almost always represented by a woman except, of course, the representation of Liverpool Resurgent on the former Lewis’s building. This well known Liverpool landmark was created by Jacob Epstein but how many people walk past the three bas reliefs created by the same artist on the same building? The images of children were inspired by Epstein watching his grandchildren and their friends playing.
Not all art in Liverpool is “old” nor is it all formal, indeed in a city where the only people who walk alone are those who want to here is a message to the whole city from an unknown street artist. Simple and perhaps not the most sophisticate design, but nice all the same.
You may, or may not, be surprised to meet a walrus on a wall in Rainford Gardens off Matthew Street. Whilst revellers are living it up at The Cavern Club, The Grapes and many of the vibrant venues on the party street, taking photos with the Cilla statue, most of them will be unaware of this colourful character.
While I was wandering through Harrington Street looking for suitable images to photograph I suddenly became that I was being photographed myself. This image of Paul McCartney is by the talented local artist Paul Curtis.
The statue of Eleanor Rigby by Tommy Steele in Stanley Street sits on a bench and is a popular place for people to have their photographs taken but have you noticed that on the bench there is a carving of a copy of the Liverpool Echo and on top of that is a tiny bird?
“Street Art” may not be to everyone’s taste but it is part of modern culture and there are some very talented artists creating work all over the city so let’s leave the last word to an unnamed street artist in Lower Castle Street….
The next time you’re in the city, if you’re not in a crazy rush to be somewhere, take some time to have a look around. The city is full of little surprises and it’s a free public art gallery for those with a keen eye. And if you see a guy staring at a building for hours, that’ll be me!
TO BOOK A HISTORY TALK OR WALKING TOUR WITH DAVID CONTACT HIM ON 07739386367
Follow David on Twitter @thedustyteapot
