Hope
Street Studios 1980 -1985
The
Royal Institution, Colquitt Street 1985 -1990
Liverpool Artists’
Workshop was set up in September 1980 at Hope Street Studios,
next to the iconic Philharmonic Pub, by a group of people
wishing to work in Liverpool who saw communal studios as
a practical solution to both the financial aspects of workshop
provision and also the creation of a healthy atmosphere
in which to produce work. It has always been a concern amongst
members that a communal and collaborative working situation
would develop as opposed to an isolated and individualistic
practice.
The workshop
was organised and run by the joint decision of the members
and parallel to the provision of working space LAW organised
‘Open Weeks’, participated in educational and
community workshops, ran seminars, lecture programmes and
discussion groups as well as local and national solo and
group exhibitions. Visiting speakers in the ‘Social
Production of Art’ seminar series included Terry Atkinson
and Griselda Pollock amongst others.
These events
and projects were seen by LAW as the logical extension to
their art practice. They indicate the full context of the
social conditions under which art as a social practice are
undertaken. LAW adopted strategies to engage in social and
political debate to try to reach different audiences in
the community.
In October
1985 LAW had its Hope Street lease terminated and consequently
this led to a re-evaluation of the nature and practices
of LAW. A smaller and more coherent organisation was reformed
at the Royal Institution, Colquitt Street. LAW was less
concerned with the burdens and limitations of simple studio
provision, but more with broadening the community of interests
and engaging and linking with other cultural organisations.