New art exhibition at 92 Degrees dives into myths and nature’s magic

A new joint exhibition by four local artists is opening at 92 Degrees Coffee on Jamaica Street this August, exploring how nature and myth have always gone hand in hand when it comes to telling stories about who we are.

Aglæca, Dread and Awe brings together Serah Stringer, Becky Atherton, Marion Bayliss and Tiago Da Cruz, all members of Southport Contemporary Arts at 92 Degrees Coffee. Each artist shines a light on folklore, superstition and the powerful feelings that once shaped how people made sense of the world around them.

Southport-based Serah Stringer, who has Maltese heritage, works across different mediums to connect the natural world with human-made life. For this exhibition, Serah’s installation uses found objects and organic forms to explore promises and spells for Liverpool, nodding to the emotions once felt on the Mersey’s busy docks. Her work also picks up on local history through Eggshells, a 1934 poem by Elizabeth Fleming.

Becky Atherton, from Lancashire, has turned her focus to the shape-shifting selkies of Scottish and Irish folklore — seals that could shed their skins and live as humans on land. Becky’s work reimagines these mystical stories that were once passed down by word of mouth, drawing on ancient texts like the Orkneyinga saga.

Somerset-born Marion Bayliss now calls Lancashire home and has made painting her personal sanctuary. Inspired by her surroundings, Marion’s work for the exhibition centres on the Phoenix — the mythical firebird that rises from the ashes. It’s a symbol of life, death and rebirth that brings her vision of the elements to life on canvas.

Tiago Da Cruz, originally from Portugal and living in Southport for five years, looks to Greek mythology for his contribution. His series of acrylic, ink and pastel drawings is inspired by the legend of Hylas and the Nymphs. In Tiago’s version, the nymphs step out from under the control of ancient gods and exist in a world of their own making.

Aglæca, Dread and Awe runs from 1 to 31 August at 92 Degrees Coffee, 49 Jamaica Street. It’s free to visit — you can pop in Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm and weekends from 9am to 6pm.

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