Kirkby Gallery’s biennial exhibition of contemporary craft, design and fine art returns to the gallery from 30 October – 23 December, featuring a host of artists and makers from across the region.
The Crafted exhibition will showcase metalwork, textiles, fashion, ceramics, illustration, collage, painting and book art from artists and makers including Becky Atherton, Kelly Broughton, Kate Bufton, Hollie Cooper, Julie Dodd, Harry Garner, Heston Isle Press, David Holmes, Sue McLaren, Ali
Pickard, Catherine Rogers, Julie Taylor, Kate Tidmarsh, Hilary Marteau and the North
West Book Art Group.
For 2023, the exhibition has been co-curated with Liverpool Book Art, celebrating the creative practice of book art through unique hand-made books, stories & illustrations, distinctive notebooks,
prints, book sculptures, bindings, and more!
Bringing this to life, a special collection owned by Liverpool Book Art will be displayed of the ground floor of the Kirkby Centre, offering visitors the opportunity to see how diverse this genre of art truly is. This show runs parallel to the Crafted exhibition until 23 December.
Additionally, Liverpool Book Art will be hosting a series of special events and fringe exhibitions for the duration of the exhibition to give people an opportunity to explore the artform for themselves. This includes:
The Liverpool Book Art Fair
Friday 3 November, 10.30am – 4.30pm
Meet a range of book artists, and purchase works directly from them.
Half Term Book Art Workshops
Monday 30 October – Saturday 4 November
Throughout the October half term a series of free workshops for children and adults offer you the opportunity to learn how to make your own book art.
Contact the gallery for more information: galleries@knowsley.gov.uk
Reading copies of artists books will be available for a much closer look, in the main gallery.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “It’s so wonderful to have Crafted back at Kirkby Gallery. It’s a wonderful showcase for the talented makers and artists we have in the region, and I’m always surprised and delighted by the incredible works that make up this exhibition every other year. What a fantastic way for Kirkby Gallery to close out another great year of inspiring exhibitions.”
All of the artworks in the Crafted exhibition are for sale with a range of price points available, from smaller affordable works through to major pieces which would make a unique and thoughtful Christmas gift.
The gallery will be hosting a Private View: on Thursday 26 October from 5pm – 7pm. Please note that this is a RSVP only event. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to the gallery team on 0151 443 4936 or email galleries@knowsley.gov.uk.
For teachers interested in bringing classes to visit the exhibition, we are holding a ‘Teacher First Preview’ between 3.45-4.30pm. Booking required at the same contact details.
Kirkby Gallery is located at the Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, Kirkby L32 8XY
The Gallery is open Mon – Fr 10am – 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) and Saturdays 10am – 1pm (last entry 12.30pm)
