Back to index of Nerve 11 - Winter 2007

The Liverpool Mural Project

By Alison Cornmell

Inspired on a trip to Belfast when they took the taxi tour of its famous murals, Peter Morrison and Gregory Brennan have big (in fact house-sized) ideas for Liverpool's year as Capital of Culture. They want a series of murals to be painted in run down areas of Liverpool.

These will not be of "gunmen" but of Beatles album covers to celebrate "the most famous four people that come from Liverpool", a band that "still means a lot to us [Liverpudlians]".

What is truly brilliant about this project is that two muralists from Belfast, Mark Ervine (a Loyalist) and Danny Devenney (a Republican), are working together on it. This historic collaboration has gained a great deal of support and attention in Northern Ireland and the press. So for Liverpool to be the city that hosts the art of this collaboration would be a real highlight in its cultural year.

But The Culture Company rejected the idea in 2006 for not being "edgy enough", despite the resonance it would have in terms of the much-celebrated Liverpool/Irish connection.

When asked how they feel about this rejection Morrison and Brennan reply simply, "gutted!" Morrison hints at his belief that there is a certain amount of elitism within The Culture Company. He believes that they are less responsive to ideas from ordinary people who perhaps don't mix in the same circles as the members of the board. "Doors are very much closed for you if you've never done anything like this before."

The Culture Company has defended itself by explaining that they were presented with a wealth of good ideas and some of them, unfortunately, would have to be rejected. However Phil Redmond, their new recruit, has given all the rejected proposals another chance to present their case, and hopefully be given the funding they initially sought.

Although disheartened by this first refusal, Morrison explains that they are "determined that Liverpool is the first [city to see this] collaboration". They are obviously proud of their city, and the idea, and are determined to make it work. They see it not just as a tourist trail, but an opportunity for regeneration within the city. They talk of its potential to leave a legacy, involving local youth groups in a process where new skills can be learnt. "Long after the muralists have left, the community will be left with not only a beautiful mural to put a smile on their face, but also the skills to continue the project into the future."

For further info: http://theliverpoolmuralproject.blogspot.com

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Comment left by simon mack on 19th June, 2008 at 12:01
apologies - i meant to say Loyalist + Republican re - the positive political worth of the mural project in Northern Ireland.... apologies for any confusion/offence caused. I still agree with the Culture Companies views on the Liverpool Beatles application though...

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