A unique photography exhibition is launching at Kitty’s Launderette in Anfield

A launderette in Liverpool is launching its maiden photography exhibition exploring its atmospheric charm, alongside never before seen images from its users and neighbours.  

Kitty’s Launderette, which is situated just 500 yards from Liverpool FC’s world-famous Anfield stadium, is to host a new exhibition called Kitty’s After Dark alongside never before seen images from People of Anfield.

People of Anfield was an artist residency commissioned by Culture Liverpool and Open Eye Gallery, which culminated in an exhibition at Open Eye Gallery called The Flowers Still Grow. The new display in Kitty’s courtyard from Friday 13 June will reflect that exhibition, which can also be seen on hoardings around Liverpool FC’s ground, but will feature new pieces too. 

Inside the launderette, Kitty’s After Dark by Kayleigh Walmsley, captures a moody interplay of space, light, and community in this intimate hub. The exhibition is a first for both Kitty’s, a community cooperative established to tackle hygiene poverty and social isolation, and Kayleigh, Events Lead & Laundry Co-op Worker.

Kayleigh, 37, a fashion design graduate, became interested in photography after becoming a mum to her daughter Edie. Inspired by pregnancy and motherhood, Kayleigh went on to study photography at Liverpool College. 

Kitty’s – named in honour of Kitty Wilkinson, an Irish immigrant to Liverpool who is credited as the pioneer of the wash house movement in the UK – was at the heart of the People of Anfield project. The community hub hosted regular creative workshops with writer Pauline Rowe and photographer Emma Case, who worked with residents to co-produce the display.

The artists and residents also worked closely with a range of other community organisations and spaces including Homebaked CLT, Liverpool Lighthouse, Anfield Improvement District and Pinehurst Primary School.

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

“Following the success of The Flowers Still Grow at Open Eye Gallery, which showcased the passion and pride of Anfield residents to visitors and those living and working in the city, the People of Anfield is coming home. 

“Kitty’s is so much more than a launderette and dry cleaners. As an accessible social space for people to gather, talk and learn, it embodies the ethos of Creative Neighbourhoods. So it is fitting that it not only hosts the next iteration of People of Anfield but also has its own exhibition, encouraging people to look at the familiar community hub in a different light.”

Sophie Mahon, Head of Social Practice, Open Eye Gallery, said:

“Working closely and on a long term basis with communities and partners across Liverpool is integral to the work we do at Open Eye Gallery and the People of Anfield project is a brilliant example of what can happen when communities are given a platform to tell their own stories, in their own way.”

Photographer Kayleigh Walmsley, a former Anfield Community Comprehensive School pupil, said:

“When I became a mother, I found a new love for photography. I became obsessed with taking pictures of my daughter. I’ve always had an eye for image making but this new life changing experience is what really grew my interest. My past projects have been about the renewal of life after giving birth and that’s what inspired me with this creative outlet. 

“Working at Kitty’s gave me the opportunity to develop my project ‘Kitty’s After Dark’ in collaboration with the people of Anfield, who I have worked alongside. My aim was to capture a sense of space and community within my local area. My intention with this series was to focus on the emphasis of space and low lighting to create an ominous style throughout, that leaves the viewers intrigued and inspired to visit.” 

The project, which is part of Culture Liverpool’s Creative Neighbourhooods programme, included a collection of poems inspired by the creative writing workshops, which can be read here, and a short film ‘Terraces‘, exploring the local built and natural environment, shared through the voices of Anfield, which can be viewed here.

Open Eye Gallery has secured funding from the Communities Together Fund to enable the People of Anfield project to continue.

Residents are invited to attend the launch event at Kitty’s Launderette next Friday (13 June) between 6-9pm. If you would like to attend, RSVP pauline@openeye.org.uk.

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