Schools unite for Liverbird Art Attack project
Schools from across Anfield united to celebrate the countdown to the 100th birthday of Liverpool’s iconic Liverbird in 2011 with an ‘Art Attack’ style project at The Isla Gladstone Conservatory.
Liverpool artist, Faith Bebbington, along with children’s TV presenter, Lizi Botham who has worked on BBC 1’s SMart programme, assembled the artwork for the event on Monday 20th September 2010.
School children from Anfield Infants and Juniors and Pinehurst Primary School helped create a giant Liverbird in the shape of a new contemporary design of the bird, which has been made into ceramics for the 100th birthday celebrations by local artist Mackenzie.
The art piece was assembled from recycled materials collected by the schools over the past two weeks and took the shape of the new sleek design.
Artist Faith Bebbington has worked on a number of art projects within the city including the ‘Multi Faith Snowflakes’ for the Liverpool Capital of Culture shop.
She said: “I’m honoured to work on the Liverbird art project to commemorate one of Liverpool’s most iconic symbols. It is fantastic to be working alongside local schools on the project. The children not only learned the importance of the historic Liverbird, but also learned the art of conservation by making art out of recycled materials.”
The art project follows the successful commissioning of the ceramic Liverbirds for Liverpool’s Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal. Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Hazel Williams, launched her charity appeal for the year with a limited edition of 100 of the Liverbirds. Demand was so great that the run will now be extended.
The ceramic Liverbird is also proving a success with celebrities, with stars including Pamela Anderson, Les Dennis and Sheree Murphy penning their signatures on the ceramic to help raise funds for the Liverpool Unites charity, which helps communities on Merseyside improve the lives of underprivileged children and young people.
Representatives from the charity also attended the event on the day, while Kemps Bistro, situated inside the Isla Gladstone Conservatory be donated all proceeds from the sale of its cupcakes to the charity.
Original Art Attack presenter, Neil Buchanan, has also shown his support to the project. He added: “When I was approached to get involved with the Liverbird art event, I thought “what a load of rubbish.” No, literally, it’s a load of rubbish!”
“I have been working with recycled materials for years on Art Attack and I know with a little bit of creativity that you can turn any old rubbish into a fine work of art. What a great way to celebrate the Liverbirds 100th birthday!”
