Portraits celebrating local communities and galleries by Philip Garrett
From Kirkby with Love: Portraits celebrating local communities and galleries by Philip Garrett
Kirkby Gallery, 3 February – 3 April 2020
For this exciting and ambitious new exhibition, Liverpool based artist and sculptor, Philip Garrett has created an extensive body of new work over the last few months.
He has been exploring the many faces of Knowsley through drawing and sculpture, with the subjects heavily informed by suggestions offered up by the public. He has also captured local figures from history worth commemorating and celebrating in sculpture. Philip uses a traditional approach, with the work aiming to reclaim traditional techniques as an expressive medium for today’s creative concerns and social struggles. Working directly from life and social observation, it is a body of work that uses portraiture and landscape to tell our community’s stories.
As part of his journey and research across the borough, he has worked with multiple schools, in both the pursuit of subjects to depict and also to teach drawing and sculpture to our next generation of artists. A selection of this work produced by Knowsley school pupils will feature in the show, adding another dimension to the display and providing a wonderful opportunity for the aspiring artists to see their work displayed professionally.
This exhibition and project name came from the artist’s interest in the role of municipal galleries, especially those in areas of economic challenges
and declining industries. Unique to this show, Philip has fostered new creative twinnings between Knowsley and other regional art venues, producing commissioned work to remember a local figure that has had a strong, positive impact on their local community. From this generous creative gesture, celebrating local communities and fostering new partnerships, it serves to demonstrate how our exhibition and actions come ‘From Kirkby with Love’.
Philip will be in residence on a range of dates throughout the duration of the exhibition as he continues his work; as well as being presented in a style reminiscent of an artist’s studio, the gallery space will also function as one. If you are interested in seeing Philip at work and perhaps even sitting for him, contact Kirkby Gallery for more information.
An opportunity for teaching staff to see this exhibition before it opens to the public and to meet the artist, Phil Garrett in person, offering insight into his practice, ideas and inspiration.
Get a sneak preview of From Kirkby with Love before it opens to the public at the Private View on Thursday 30 January, 4.30-6.30pm, and meet Philip Garrett who will be offering insight into his practice, ideas and inspiration.
Teaching staff are invited to attend a special Teacher First preview of the exhibition on Thursday 30 January, 3.45-4.30pm to meet the artist in person and find out more about his work. Schools can book free self-led visits, and for just £100 a class can enjoy an excellent value two-hour drawing workshop delivered by Philip Garrett himself alongside his artworks: Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the duration of the exhibition, 9.30am-11.30am or 1pm-3pm.
If you wish to attend the Private View or Teacher First events, or for more information on the workshops, contact Tina Ball: email tina.ball@knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 4936.
Address: Kirkby Gallery, The Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, Kirkby L32 8XY
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm (last admission 4.30pm), Saturday 10am-1pm (last admission 12.30pm)
Admission is free