The UK’s first socially-distanced outdoor art gallery to open post-lockdown is launching in Liverpool city centre.

Walk with Me, a new solo exhibition by international artist John Hyatt, will go on display at Liverpool’s Fabric District Street Gallery from August 1.

The free exhibition, open 24 hours a day, features 10ft by 8ft street-based vinyl prints of eight paintings, nearly all of which John has created during lockdown.

His arresting works will be displayed the exterior walls of buildings on Kempston Street, Gildart Street and Constance Street in the Islington area of the city centre, known as the Fabric District.

The unique project is believed to be the UK’s first offline, open air exhibition of original artwork to launch since lockdown restrictions eased.

New Brighton-based John, formerly lead singer and songwriter with legendary post-punk band The Three Johns and now Director of LJMU’s Institute of Art & Technology, said: “This is a unique gallery experiment because it is literally a gallery that is inside out – the work is on the exterior of the buildings rather than inside.

“We believe it could be the first of its kind in the UK to open post-lockdown, particularly as nearly all the work has been created during the lockdown.

“It is like an outdoor Walker Art Gallery, where social distancing is no more difficult than taking an evening stroll.

“It is the perfect antidote for people gasping for a chance to see some top class international art without worrying about queuing, time-slots or being shepherded.”

Return of the Poet

Already a hub of street art and creativity, the Fabric District is Liverpool’s newest area of growing businesses, residencies, culture and creativity.

Its growth has been led each year by the annual Fabric District Arts Festival, which was due to take place last month but was postponed until June 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Jason Abbott, chair of the Fabric District CIC, said: “Ironically, what was due to be this year’s Fabric District Arts Festival’s theme, Get Connected, is now more pertinent than ever.

“Walk with Me invites members of the public to walk the streets of the Fabric District, where the exterior walls have been made into a street gallery.

Her Pink Wellies

“The images are part of new works John Hyatt has produced during lockdown but, rather than being full of fear, they exhibit a new lust for life and their vibrant colours point towards a future of hope and joy.”

The exhibition will run until September 30 and attendees can share their photographs of the works with the hashtag #FabricDistrictStreetGallery and by tagging @fabricdistrictlpl on Instagram, @fabric_district on Twitter or Fabric District Liverpool on Facebook.

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