Art in Liverpool: June 2016

Big names and big laughs

Lots going on in Liverpool right now pre Biennial season. Classic figures such as Francis Bacon and Picasso, regional photography, digital experimentation and an art market where you can pick up some affordable taxidermy. 

First off, degree shows. The LJMU Degree shows is currently in full swing and runs until 10 June at the John Lennon Art and Design building and are open weekdays 10 – 6pm and weekends 12 – 6pm. Guided tours (meet in the foyer) are available every weekday at 11am and 3pm. 

There is also still time to catch the Double Act: Art and Comedy exhibition at the Bluecoat (ends 19 June) before it moves on to MAC in Belfast. There are several events running alongside the show; Harry Meadley will be giving an artist's talk-cum-standup routine on 1 June (6-7pm), Frances Greenfield (creator of That Comedy Blog) is leading a tour of the show on 4 June (2-3pm), and then, as a last hurrah, there will be a book launch and panel discussion between artists Gemma Marmalade, Mel Brimfield and curators Mark Durden and David Campbell on 8 June (6-8pm) with performances by David Sherry.

Two big shows have just opened at Tate Liverpool, Frances Bacon with his dark and moody portraiture that, in a brilliant way, always seems to look like meat and depression and also a first major retrospective of Austrian artist Maria Lassnig. Tate and Liverpool Small Cinema will be holding a discussion and screening around Lassnigs work on 8 June.

Interactive shows

Head over to the FACT Connects space between 17-25 June for a new pop-up exhibition, Designing Digital Now, presented by The Creative Exchange. This one explores how we are shaping technology and how technology is shaping us. Apparently there will be prototype products, infographics, film, interactive exhibits and a giant collaborative drawing machine if you are that way inclined.

In photography, there are just a few days left to catch Open Eye’s group exhibition exploring how we gather and make meaning of our experiences, Open 2: Pieces of You (ends 5 June), and there is a call-out from LOOK Festival which will be staging an exhibition on the occasion of 2016’s Liverpool Pride. They have put a call out for photographs that best express your Liverpool icons, your LGBT lives, participation in past Prides and your place within the city of Liverpool. To participate and submit your images by 10 June head to lookphotofestival.com/exhibitions/liverpool-icons.

Local goods

At the end of the month Open Culture will be staging their fourth art market at St. George’s Hall on Sat 25 and Sun 26 June for their fourth annual Summer Arts Market. Over 130 artists, makers and designers will be taking over the grand space and the aim is to offer unique, delightful and affordable products and keep the money local – from taxidermy to tea, photography and jewellery.

Picasso on the Wirral

Over the Mersey, The Wirral Met degree shows are open until 5 June at The Williamson Art Gallery and Museum in Birkenhead (Wed-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mon and Tue, williamsonartgallery.org/whats-on).

Also on the Wirral, The Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight opens Picasso Linocuts from The British Museum on 24 June. There are three suites of prints on show and some of them have never been seen out of their BM home. While you're there, reacquaint yourself with the Lady Lever’s excellent Pre-Raphaelite collection (it makes a nice accompaniment to The Walker's current major Pre-Raph show, which ends 5 June), and FYI, the downstairs cafe does some damn good soup and a reasonable glass of wine.

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Find more previews and exhibition reviews at theskinny.co.uk/art