Open Eye Gallery has announced the opening of its brand new gallery space in Mann Island at Liverpool's waterfront on Saturday 5 November 2011, presenting work by world-class photographers Mitch Epstein and Chris Steele-Perkins for its programme of inaugural exhibitions.
Open Eye Gallery has been one of the UK’s leading photography spaces since 1977, and is the only gallery dedicated to photography in the North West of England. 2011 represents an exciting milestone in the history of the gallery as it moves to a brand new purpose-built home, twice the size of its former incarnation.
Located in a development on Liverpool’s Waterfront, the new gallery is a stone’s throw from Tate Liverpool and the Albert Dock, in the heart of the city’s rich cultural quarter. Its re-launch this November reinforces Open Eye’s position as one of the most significant exhibitors and collectors of photography in the UK. The new gallery is a bespoke space developed by Open Eye director Patrick Henry with architects RCKa and comprises three areas for exhibitions.
The main exhibition galleries on the ground floor will showcase an international programme of cutting-edge contemporary photography, opening with award-winning, New York based photographer Mitch Epstein’s acclaimed American Power series. Awarded the prestigious 2011 Prix Pictet photographic award, the body of work reflects on energy production, power politics and the American Dream gone awry.
The first floor of the gallery will house a series of exhibitions drawn from the richness of the gallery’s archives, launching with Magnum photographer Chris Steele-Perkins’ The Pleasure Principle, while the gallery’s exterior wall will be used for large-scale ‘Wall Work’ commissioned pieces, the first being a striking new artwork by S Mark Gubb.
Further highlights from the opening year’s programme include Richard and Famous in January 2012: An exploration of celebrity and fandom curated by the highly influential photographer Martin Parr featuring work by Australian photographer Richard Simpkin and LA-based Simone Lueck.
Open Eye Gallery's new location will be 19 Mann Island, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 1BP. Gallery opens to the public on Saturday 5 November, 10.30am. Gallery opening times are 10.30am - 5.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays. Entry is free.