Liverpool Doors

From 24 February 2012

This unique art installation by Poetry Society President Roger McGough explores the history and character of Liverpool through stories and memories symbolised by doors from across the city.

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The doors in the exhibition were donated to Roger and book artist Mark Cockram following a public appeal. They were then transformed by students from Liverpool John Moores University's School of Art and Design, who used the doors as canvasses for extracts from Roger's poems. Supported by Roger and Mark throughout the artistic process, the students have used creative designs for the words themselves as well as imagery and objects to illustrate the poems, such as model cars, football socks and photographs.

"It has been a hugely rewarding experience to work alongside Mark and a group of enthusiastic and talented art students, and the project has provided me with the opportunity to be playful and present poetry in a vibrant and visual way." Roger McGough

There are more than 25 doors on display, including doors from:

• The original Everyman Theatre and Bistro
• Strawberry Field Children's Home
• Liverpool sculptor Arthur Dooley's studio
• The Trophy Room door from Liverpool Football Club
• Everton's Goodison Park turnstile

Also featured in the exhibition is a bound copy of the entire Liverpool Saga: an 800 line poem written by people from across Merseyside to celebrate Liverpool's 800th birthday. Roger wrote the opening and closing verses of the Saga, which specialist book artist Mark Cockram has bound specifically to accompany the Liverpool Doors exhibition.