looking the p-art

There were two arts launches on at the same time last night.
At the Echo offices in Old Hall Street, 100 'heads' of Liverpool were being unveiled by artist Anthony Brown.
Meanwhile across town, more than a dozen artists' work was on display through a new Liverpool Academy of Arts exhibition.

Many of the same guests shuttled between the two.
But since I'd actually been INVITED to the Academy of Arts - as opposed to the Culture Company-backed Anthony Brown launch (I don't know which organisation was in charge of the guest list but they obviously didn't see the point of inviting the Echo's Capital of Culture reporter to a Capital of Culture event. In the Echo building), that's where I went.
The Academy has had to move out of its premises in Seel Street as they are set to be demolished in 2008. Another example of the unequal battle when culture verses capitalism.
It has found a temporary and very worthy home in the old 'paint factory' building next door, although that too is under threat of redevelopment.
The Academy believes this is a crying shame, and I have to say I agree with them.
There is no doubt we need regeneration, but as the city centre, and Rope Walks in particular, has regenerated it has also been depopulated of its indigenous artistic community.
Last night there were works on show from late greats such as Arthur Dooley and Adrian Henri (a little beyond my budget) as well as established and up-and-coming artists and sculptors.
There were also memories of Dooley and Henri being bantered around, not least from Mike McCartney who remembered Henri actually painting the works on show, and recalled a rather packed car journey with Dooley which included McCartney's girlfriend of the time having to perch on the giant sculptor's knee.
Talking of sculptors, I certainly recognised one of the other sculptures on show.
Tom Murphy is selling the maquette he made when he submitted a design for the Echo's Sheppard-Worlock statue, the commission of which was won eventually by Dooley's one-time apprentice Stephen Broadbent.
Tom's is a fine statue, but if you can't quite afford the price tag which runs into many hundreds of pounds, why not consider giving to the actual statue appeal itself?
You'd be playing a part in creating a piece of Liverpool artwork which will stand in the city long after all the regenerated offices and shops have crumbled.