Wirral Welcomes the Independents Biennial 2025
Some of Wirral’s most beautiful locations and recognisable landmarks are set to host a major festival of contemporary art this summer.
The artist-led Independents Biennial - which runs concurrently with the Liverpool Biennial - will showcase the work of almost 300 artists in 120 locations across the Liverpool City Region (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral), with brand new works popping up in all sorts of places, including Fort Perch Rock, Hilbre Island, Bidston Observatory, Victoria Road in New Brighton, Mersey Ferries, Dibbinsdale Nature Reserve and Hamilton Square.
The Old Fire Station in Port Sunlight, which has recently been transformed into studio space, is hosting ‘Boom’ the first studio group exhibition by world-renowned sculptor Emma Rodgers and her collaborative partners, Jacob Chan, James Lawler, Peter Hayes and Max Eugeni. Works by acclaimed sculptor, TV personality, and studio group member Johnny Vegas, are also on display in the exhibition.
The Williamson Art Gallery and Museum is also set to host several new pieces, including ‘Artist A & Artist B: The Long Haul’ by Jackie Haynes and Heather Mullender-Ross, which has been especially commissioned for the festival by the gallery.
Art-lovers will get an opportunity to meet and purchase works by the artists behind the festival when the Independents Biennial Art Market takes over Birkenhead Market’s covered outdoor space (next to the bus station) this Saturday (28 June) from 10am to 4pm.
The art market will showcase a wide range of work by more than 30 independent artists, including, painting, printing, illustration, photography, textiles, sculpture, and glassware.
Patrick Kirk-Smith, Independents Biennial Director, said:
The joy of the Independents Biennial is to discover the art and artists that live and work in our local communities. Wirral is one of the most thriving grassroots arts and culture communities in Liverpool city region and there are so many places already being discovered. It's vital we support our local artists, they're at the heart of our arts scenes and they make places more vibrant and animated, what could be better than that!
The Independents Biennial has been showcasing the work of grassroots artists since 1999 and has been known by various names including Tracey, Biennial Fringe and Liverpool Independents. It is managed by Art in Liverpool but programmed at venues and locations across the city region by artists, artist groups, art studios and artist networks.
The Independents Biennial 2025 runs until 14 September. More information, including exhibition locations and opening times, is available on the Independents Biennial website.
