Here are notes from our Slide Slam at FACT. What a fantastic turnout, thank you so much to everyone for coming, to our presenters especially and also much gratitude to FACT for having us!
Notes from LAN Slide Slam
First-up, artist Josie Jenkins gave a welcome and introduction to LAN. She shared news of our new Instagram account @LivArtNet managed by artist Colette Lilley, recent updates to the LAN website, and our new BuyMeACoffee account which will help us pay for website maintenance and other small expenses currently covered by our artist volunteer leads.
We were also welcomed to FACT by Lesley Taker their Studio/Lab Manager. She shared details of their emerging Studio/Lab project which is designed for artists and makers to collaborate and produce on-site taking advantage of FACT’s expert community and incredible facilities. She can be contacted at lesley.taker[at]fact/co/uk.
Artist Iqra Khan shared some of the new figurative paintings she has been working on lately. Iqra is studying law but has a developed technique and a keen interest in portraiture. She discussed some of the ideas behind the subjects and compositions of her paintings as well as some of the technical challenges she faced. @iqrakhan.art
We also welcomed back John Quinn to present at LAN. John is a visual artist who has worked for many years in 2D and 3D conceptual works and who presented examples of his sculptures created from found materials, such as coathangers. His works have an organic quality and create interesting compositions in space, wholly new but suggestive of their original materials.
Kelly Irvine gave an interesting talk on her journey to becoming a visual artist and Arena Studios member. Her earlier career was at a famous colour specialist hair salon in Bold Street which led to work as a stylist and photographer, and a feature in Italian Vogue which brought recognition and success. Circumstances led to her to undertake an arts degree at Hope University and she presented examples of her abstract works which have been successfully shown in the UK. @_century.foxx
Mick Flaverty is a Liverpool based visual artist and musician working in a form of modern abstract expressionism and developing images from the personal unconscious. Mick has presented at LAN before (Convenience Gallery 2022) and today shared examples of his new work. He talked about his influences from Jung and his new interest in AI software. Images created from the software were revealed and how he is hoping to take this back into a painted form. www.mickflahertyart.com
Patrick Kirk Smith – (Independents Biennial). Patrick was able to bring the welcome news that after a long haitus due to Covid and funding that Art in Liverpool is back online and in print, with copies of issue 29 available at FACT and also around the city. Patrick also talked about his early plans for the Independents Biennial 2023. This will be mainly a listings programme supported by the Art in Liverpool platforms, with some commissions later this year – subject to funding. Patrick showed how the Art in Liverpool website is now open to online event submissions for all artists, and he encouraged us to get our information submitted by the 4th Monday in order to get into the AiL monthly email newsletter. www.artinliverpool.com
Onur Orkut gave a thought-provoking slide slam on his practice which concerns drawings created and presented non-contextually. Onur discussed how titles and the act of creation of his works risk giving meaning that was neither the intention of the artist or relate to the experience of the viewer. His work caused interest and discussion both in the Slide Slam and the Swan Inn. @onurorkut
Liverpool Artists' Network 