Gallery ‘Bogof’ offer as art goes on Sale
BUY one, get one free – in an art gallery? The credit crunch, the state of the economy and society’s obsession with retail therapy have provided the inspiration for an exhibition with a twist.
Everything must go at Sale, the latest show at the Royal Standard, with a “grand store opening” tonight.
More than 80 established and upcoming artists from Liverpool, the UK and Europe took up the invitation to create work for the event, which will be sold off on a first come, first served basis.
Prices will range from under £50 to upwards of £1,000, but prices are subject to change given fluctuations in the economy or the gallery’s own predilection for special offers – including maybe even the “Bogof” concept, more familiar on supermarket shelves than the art world.
Once something is sold, it will be taken away by its new owner immediately, rather than at the end of the exhibition.
There are pieces by artists including Dan Perjovski, whose work can currently be seen at Tate Liverpool, to up-and-coming local talents such as Craig Atkinson, Laurence Payot and John O’Hare.
“We wanted to totally change the space and how it works, so we had the idea of putting on a commercial show in an artist-led space,” said Kevin Hunt, one of the directors of the Royal Standard.
“We came up with a big list of names of people we wanted to work with that we thought were exciting and interesting and approached them.
“It started out ambitious but we pulled it off.”
The Royal Standard has been based at the Vauxhall Business Centre, on Vauxhall Road, since last July.
Now 26 artists occupy the first floor as studio space and exhibitions are held on the ground floor.
“We’ve really tried to strike a mix so it can appeal to all kinds of people, from collectors to artists who aren’t that well off, so it is really quite nice,” said Kevin.
Sale opens tonight from 4pm to 9pm. The exhibition is on until February 28 and the space is open Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm, or by appointment.
* FOR more information, contact 0151 236 1919 or visit www.the-royal-standard.com, where artwork can be seen and special price offers will be listed.
