Graffiti art has been criticised on the basis of illegality, incoherence, and non standard presentation, thus its status as an art form is commonly overlooked. The objective of this exhibition is to show how graffiti art overcomes these concerns to be taken as creative works in their own right.
Artists: Ian Town, Sophie Backhouse, Sinew, Barney Francis and Bref
Oct 27th - Nov 27th 2005

Steve McQueen: A Celebration
To celebrate Steve McQueen's 75th Birthday and to mark the 25th anniversary of his passing, G.L.George will showcase the life, times and career of a true 20th Century icon, who went to the “school of hard knocks”, who worked very hard to get to where he was and left a body of work that is timeless.

The event kicks off with a photography exhibition at Microzine, from Nov 30th, before a mini McQueen film festival at PictureHouse at FACT, Dec 2nd – 4th.
Full Details.

Jamie Reid
Rules, like buttons, are meant to be undone, and Jamie Reid is the original unfastener of all that's been held together and hallowed in Britain over the past thirty years. The image pirate, painter, and sloganeer remains the country's top anti-establishment Big Name Artist. Reid is infamous as the agitator who put the safety pin through the Queen's lip to visually define punk, and it's icons, the Sex Pistols. But for him it was no hip fashion statement or career move. It was a chance to get visual and philosophical ideas through to the mainstream. And that spirit's still firing, on all cylinders. More Details. Dec 16th - Feb 14th 2006 (extended)

100Shirts Competition. The final 100 designs on show. Feb 16th - March 2nd 2006

From June 22nd 2006 - A unique and eclectic exhibition by one of the UK’s leading music photographers; Andy Earl: inspired-by Rizla is a stunning collection of images celebrating the inspirations behind today’s most exciting bands and artists including Graham Coxon, James Blunt, Roots Manuva, Nine Black Alps, Hard-Fi, The Magic Numbers and Tom Vek.

Commissioned specifically by Rizla as part of its on-going ‘inspired-by’ programme, these exclusive prints portray some of today’s most popular bands, old and new, alongside their personal inspirations.

Each image will be accompanied by a quote from the band or artist that explains their inspiration such as Hard-Fi, whose inspiration is Escape. Their quote explains: “Living in the shadow of Heathrow airport, with the ever present smell of aviation fuel and the roar of the airliners, you're constantly aware of a way out of the here and now. You'd rather be anywhere else, feeling anything else. The escape route is on your doorstep, but for now is out of reach”.

andy earl: inspired-by Rizla is the most prolific exhibition of Andy’s work to date. Discovered in 1981 by Malcolm McLaren, Andy has produced some of music's most memorable images of artists including Morrissey, Manic Street Preachers, Madonna, Prince, Robbie Williams and his infamous portraits of the late Johnny Cash in 1994. Numerous single/album campaigns include Pink Floyd's classic "Delicate Sounds of Thunder" plus a vast quantity of magazine features and some 25 Q magazine covers.

JAMES CAUTY and the CNPD present STAMPS of Mass Destruction - Selected Stampage and New Works - an exhibition of work by the controversial artist James Cauty. From Aug 4th 2006

Having fallen in love with Microzine’s beautiful art deco building, Cauty is keen to exhibit in his hometown and will be producing some exclusive pieces for the space. The exhibition will also include selected rare stampage, new and recent issues, and a new range of exclusive one off pieces for the more discerning collector.

Since the inception of the CNPD (Cautese Nationál Postal Disservice) in October 2005 James Cauty has been working closely with the Aquarium Gallery in London to bring the world the finest in iconic, iconoclastic and topical stampage. This stampage takes the form of real stamps, first day covers and limited edition prints. Through a series of cunning marketing ploys including rigged pricing, small and cheap editions, and the deletions of popular images, a highly collectable art form has been established for serious collectors.

Microzine MD, Chris Lee, has been a fan of Cauty since the beginning of the CNPD. “I purchased a few of limited edition prints and displayed them in Microzine London, but eventually they had to come down because Royal Mail threatened to sue me for breach of copyright.” Royal Mail have since accepted the copyright issue, perhaps coming round to Cauty’s way of thinking; “Artists steal or borrow things from other artists and shops all the time its part of the evolution of ideas and normal practice.

Copyright was invented by two Belgian lawyers in 1827 as a way of making some extra cash and is now an outdated concept. ”

"Porn Chic" by Nicola Bockelmann Sept 27 - Nov 26 2006

In 2005 Nicola Bockelmann received a grant from Arts Council England to produce large scale paintings depicting risque images taken from everyday advertisements.

Her exhibition aims to raise awareness of the increasing use of pornographic elements in advertisements - a phenomenon called 'Porn Chic'. 'Porn Chic' means more explicit sexuality in film, tv, fotography, music, advertisements and tv commercials, movies, litarature, art and fashion.

'Porn Chic' describes the infiltration of representations of pornography into mass culture, thereby becoming an accepted, even idealized, cultural element of the mainstream. 'Porn Chic' flirts with the conventions of pornography, it refers so its stars, its trash - or glamour - aesthetics and story lines, without being pornographic itself.

'Wonderland' - Ben Allen’s work is a modern creative vehicle of escapism. Through his art you can venture beyond the canvas and leave behind the constraints of the consumer and technology obsessed world we live in.

Fairly ironic, then, that Allen has chosen to exhibit within Microzine. “As a fairly young artist, it is important to take opportunities and support offered from whomever may be prepared to offer it. I think that a more diverse selection of people will see my work at Microzine than if it were on display at a gallery.”

Throughout his work you will encounter iconic pop culture and exotic graffiti, fused with mischievous and playful characters that emerge, float and melt into dreamlike backgrounds.

While most retailers are busily turning their stores into Wintry Christmas scenes, Microzine choose an altogether different Wonderland for their final exhibition of 2006.

Dec 1 2006 - Jan 31 2007

Liverpool: Blood, Sweat & Tears. Feb 2 - Feb 28 2007
A Unique Collection Microzine Gallery presents a unique collection of Liverpool Football Club Cup Final shirts from the memorable trophy winning era of 2001 – 2006.

During this time, Liverpool FC appeared in an amazing eleven Cup Final matches; of which they were successful in winning nine of them. Global sports brand Reebok was chosen as one of their key sponsors to partner them on what turned out to be a very historical journey for the club.

In preparation for each match, the team are provided with a ‘blood shirt’, to be used as an extra shirt in cases of extreme blood injury. Fortunately, these ‘blood shirts’ were never needed, and so form this exhibition. Each shirt was exclusively manufactured for the club under very strict supervision within Reebok headquarters prior to each final, and they were not available to the general public.

Presented on a patented body form frame with match details and a team photograph, each shirt will evoke memories recapturing those crucial moments in each final. Be it Michael Owens winning goal against Arsenal in the very first Millennium Stadium FA Cup Final, or Steven Gerrards stunning last minute strike which forced extra time back in May; the collection not only gives inspiration to individuals but also provides a real sense of team motivation and achievement.

'In Search of Neptune's Pearl' - Apr 24 - End May 2007
Retrospective exhibition which charts the last three years of work within the music industry by Liverpool graphics studio Burn.

Showcases work with bands such as Ambulance, Mugstar, Former Miss America and Ladytron.

This month-long Burn retrospective will explore the world of music art, from packaging to promotion and all points in between, there will also be static and moving image projections.

The exhibition also marks the launch of a brand new Burn website www.burneverything.co.uk which will feature an interactive portfolio of the studio’s work.