Location: James Street Station
Merseytravel commissioned local artist Grant Searl to create a series of works for the five underground stations in Liverpool and on the Wirral. The aim of this commission was to see the underground stations brought to life.
Since the expansion work, which was proposed and agreed as part of the 1968 British Railway (Mersey Railway Extensions) Act, the railways in the City Centre were transformed into an integrated system. The décor within the underground stations have since remained unchanged.
Animate the Underground is a commission of works that will see the underground stations in Liverpool and on the Wirral brought to life. Merseytravel commissioned local artist Grant Searl to create five pieces of artwork to be reproduced on a large scale and displayed within the stations.
Southport born Grant Searl is a self taught artist who’s inventive and distinctive oil paintings and acrylic on canvas have been shown throughout the United Kingdom, and can be found in several private collections.
Described as Romantic Surrealism, Grant’s oil on canvas pieces are an eclectic mix of influences combining echoes of Surrealist masters Magritte, Di Chirico and Dali with shades of pre-Raphaelite artists Millias and Holman-Hunt, brought into the twenty first century with its subject matter
This piece, entitled ‘One Love One Life One Liverpool’ is the first in the series of works for the underground stations and heralds the start of an exciting project to ‘Animate the Underground’ – supporting Merseytravel’s Public Art Strategy - ‘Art on the Network’ which aims to deliver a dynamic, creative and unique programme of commissions and projects reflecting the character and creativity of Merseyside onto the transport network, appealing to passengers, residents and visitors as well as providing inspiration and enhancement to Merseytravel’s facilities and infrastructure whilst providing a safe and stimulating environment in which to travel.
‘One Love One Life One Liverpool’ is an oil in canvas reproduction image bearing references to local landmarks and the intense loyalty that Merseyside people feel for their area and their football clubs. The installation stands approximately 7 feet tall by 23 feet wide (2.1m x 7.1m) and like many significant pieces of work there may be more to it than meets the eye.....!!!!
Merseytravel 'Animate the Underground' commission will be made up of five pieces of visual art, each representingand reflecting very different themes. Each one will be accompanied by its very own riddle, which leads to a hidden word; when all five riddles have been solved they will form the basis of an answer to a very exciting 'Art on the Network' competition. All will be revealed in time, so watch this space!
Riddle:
This liverpool lad
was a blue at heart
replaced another
from the start,
from time to time
he was in the middle
So can you solve this colourful riddle.