Prize made of Metal?
Best entrance to a gallery ever?
It could of been the start of a thriller. Stepping off the train on to a platform on a balmy summers night to be greeted on a platform by a smiling invigilator handing you an exhibition leaflet. Perhaps it could have been (although I doubt that the train would have been Merseyrail if it was) yet it was the 2010 Liverpool Art Prize run by the industrious artinliverpool.com.
It was the first time I have been to Metal since it reopened and the gallery impressed me on the occasion. It has the aura of a church onside with imposing stone walls coupled with a quiet modern support structure. The work itself was, well, I don’t really know! The private view was packed and there was absolutely no room to comprehend any of the work realistically. I am going to go back as it made enough impact to convince me so. Reminds me why I loathe private views so much. Personal negativity aside, the event ran smoothly and certainly has the scope to continue to grow.
I think that Ian and Minako Jackson who run artinliverpool should be applauded for their boundless energy, with the LAP being just facet of their ongoing efforts. The work they do in and for Liverpool is fantastic. Liverpool based artists such as myself are lucky to have such a resource and someone who makes the happenings in Liverpool accessible. They are appreciated and hopefully they will have enjoyed their big night…and woke up with a twat of a post private view hangover!
Jack
