Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool
Susie Stubbs
Open Eye is an independent photography gallery and archive in Liverpool with a 35 year-plus history.
As well as a regular programme of changing exhibitions, featuring both national and international photographers, Open Eye runs courses, workshops and talks for serious photographers. Its archive, meanwhile, contains images that date back 80 years.
The gallery specialises in socially engaged photography and indeed, transcending what a gallery can be. Focused on working with people to push for social change, the exhibitions are often not the end goal but a part of larger projects that include engagement, events, publications and a lot of collaboration. Sustainability is also key to Open Eye Gallery’s operations, which is woven into all of their projects as well as staff training and day-to-day activities. This is not a gallery to headline famous photographers’ names to bring in the numbers – Open Eye takes its mission very seriously and puts it into practice.
The Open Eye shop is a treat to anyone who gets giddy at the idea of a ‘gallery gift shop’. It may be small but it’s packed with some absolute gems – from the classic theory and contemporary photography books, to local artists’ zines and more experimental publications from independent publishers. There are also analogue cameras, film and cute bits and bobs that would make great gifts for photography lovers.
Open Eye moved to its current location in 2011; it is housed in a dedicated space within the controversial ‘fourth Grace’ development at Mann Island, part of Liverpool’s waterfront and a few minutes’ walk from Tate Liverpool. It’s a fitting location for a gallery with a thoroughly contemporary approach to exhibitions and working with both the artists and the communities they serve. It also means you can stroll along the waterfront on a sunny day to see the Three Graces and stop to stare into the choppy waters of the Mersey – chances are you may even be inspired to take some photographs yourself.
