Images of birds in feast of art

Nov 11 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

THE whitewashed windows of a new city centre restaurant have been livened up by a temporary art installation.

The Birds of Hope Street can be seen looking out from HoSt, and shows images of all the birds that can be found locally.

Owners Gary and Colin Manning, who also own the adjacent 60 Hope Street, were approached by artist Jon Barraclough to use the window space as a temporary gallery.

Jon created the piece to echo the birds of Hope Street as part of the Independent Biennial and as a memorial tribute to Professor Anthony Bradshaw who originally identified the birds.

Gary Manning said: “When Jon approached us with the idea of using the windows of HoSt to exhibit his wonderful artwork, we didn’t hesitate for a second. The piece looks beautiful and adds that extra bit of character to the area.

Jon, former head of The Liverpool School of Art and chairman of the Liverpool Independents Biennial, explained: “This is something between street art and public art.

“In a city in transition, there are too many good, visible spaces for exhibiting art.”

The Birds of Hope Street can be seen until the opening of the new restaurant next week.