Established names include the British abstract painter John Hoyland, who will be showing at 3345 Parr Street.

A member of the Royal Academy, he is part of Abstract Amigos, a series of four separate shows running at the venue from September 1 to December 5.

Martin Greenland, winner of the 2006 John Moores Painting Prize, is showing New Fiction – a unique take on the meaning of landscape – at Hope University’s Cornerstone Gallery.

Exhibitions will be taking place across Merseyside – widening the Biennial’s traditional city centre focus.

The Six Rooms Gallery, in Birkenhead, will hold three eclectic group exhibitions encompassing art, craft, design and architecture by more than 25 Wirral artists.

In Crosby, at Merchant Taylors’ Girls School’s Vitreum gallery, three consecutive shows will include Liverpool Life by photographers Jim Connolly, Colin Serjent and Frank Meaney.

Events include Found a Pound – a creative treasure hunt taking place in art galleries, public spaces and on the street.

“This is an exciting opportunity to see work across all disciplines by individuals and groups in a range of places and spaces,” adds Ian Jackson, of Artinliverpool.com, one of the festival organisers.

The Independents Liverpool Biennial is a not-for-profit contemporary arts festival established in 2004.

THE Independents takes place at venues across the city from September 18 to November 28. Further details at www.independentsbiennial.org

TOMORROW, the Daily Post will be launching a microsite dedicated to the Liverpool Biennial. Visit www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/biennial