Last summer, a trail of Owl and Pussycat sculptures captured the imagination of the borough (and beyond!) as part of Knowsley’s year as the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture. This year, the sculptures are back, but with a bit of a difference.
For 2023, the much-loved sculptures will take up residence in Huyton Village centre (until 30 July) before moving over to Halewood later in the summer.
There are 22 sculptures on display in Huyton Village, including the William Shakespeare inspired “A Midsummer Night Owl” and Beatles-themed “Owl-y Need Is Love” which have taken up residence in Sherbourne Square and on Derby Road.
Additionally, Huyton Library, Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, Bowring Park and Court Hey Park are all playing host to a further five sculptures during their Huyton residency.
This is the first time the public will be able to see a large number of the sculptures in one place. Last year they were displayed in pairs or on their own across the borough and wider city region. There’s also a new addition to the flock, Euro Owl, was created by Artist Gillian Cowley as part of celebrations for the Eurovision song contest in Liverpool last month.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “It’s so wonderful to see these spectacular sculptures back in the public realm. They were such an integral part of our Borough of Culture programme, and I know that lots of residents have fond memories of tracking them down in every corner of Knowsley last summer. I can’t express enough how striking they all look together, and I know people will really enjoy seeing them presented in this way.”
You can see the sculptures in Huyton Village until Sunday 30 July. View the trail map online below or pick up a printed copy from Huyton Library.
