Even if you’re visiting Liverpool for the first time, you’ve probably already encountered work by Liam Bononi. The Brazilian-born artist has been resident in Liverpool for most of his career, his murals now unmissable and synonymous with parts of the city.
The Space Between, at Gallery 1889 on Windsor Street, is a chance to get to know the artist more personally. This autobiographical exhibition explores his relationship with his family, their heritage, identity and his own passions. Ritual plays a strong role, but so does an identity wrapped up in finding an identity.
The paintings, on a different canvas than we’re used to, are accomplished, with traditional tone but contemporary technique. They’re beautifully structured and pile emotion on top of affection, particularly the two series focussed on his mother, whose career in clowning no doubt shaped this artist’s outlook on life, but whose rituals he, clearly, deeply respects.
The Clown’s Condition series uses his mother as a life model, following her long-held rituals or creating a mask in paint. The psychological construction of the clown is a celebration of mistakes. Knowing that, and using that to the advantage of the performer is one thing, but addressing that construction as part of family life and personal heritage is potent. The paintings in the collection are dark but caring, an absolute celebration of how he sees his mother and how she chooses to be seen.
As well as the internal show, you can see his mural work directly outside the gallery on the wall facing down the road towards Squash. The mural represents stories shared amongst refugees, asylum seekers and Toxteth residents whose history links to migration, and to the story of this building.
For anyone not yet familiar with Gallery 1889 (this is the first time we’ve covered an exhibition here) it is absolutely irrefutably worth paying a visit. For artists, it’s a well considered gallery, and for visitors there’s space to sit, share coffee and contemplate not just the art but the impact of this building which doubles as an English language school as well as community gallery space.
I’m excited to delve deeper into the work of Liam Bononi after this. It’s lovely to be reintroduced to an artist whose work you thought you knew on this level.
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Liam Bononi: The Space Between is open at Gallery 1889 until 26th August 2026
Words, Patrick Kirk-Smith
