// D E A D   M I N T //

Using a multitude of references, from the wilfully obscure to the brazenly open, 

D E A D M I N T collects the work of three Artists (Alan Williams [Red Wire], Michael Aitken [Wolstenholme Creative Space] and Sam Venables [The Royal Standard]) who take a blackly humorous and gleefully irreverent smash and grab of the history of contemporary art. 

 The show starts on 29th March at Arena Studios (L8 5RN) and is on for 2 weeks. 

The Outside In  (03/09/11)

-AW 

I have changed the website a little bit, it should now make a little more sense when navigating round the links. - AW 

Changing of the guards (28/06/11)

This month sees Karen O Brien, Joshua Tennant, Katie Halsall and Colette Lilly leaving Red Wire, so we/they! will be looking for newbs to fill the slots. Alan Williams and Emma Gilmour will be running the show, with Matt Lloyd continuing to organise shows in mello mello.

Karen was the Red Wire International Branch, and the organiser of both Red Wire Greek residencies, on which we had unforgettable times, which bonded Red Wire as a group together, she also co-curated the Jad Fair show, RW's final in its own gallery. Her commitment to the cause was unwavering, and has become a personal great ally, whom I hoe to work with in future projects.

Katie also came on the initial residency and exhibited at almost all RW exhibitions, she helped build and paint the gallery, constantly mucked in through the zines, exhibitions and meetings. Her presence in P.Vs brought out the finer side to Halsall, and could often be found K.O'd on the couch through the night. Katie goes onto make her beautiful cakes in her own business.

Colette joined in 2010 (taking over my space!) and ahs been a constant presence in there- a problem for RW used to be lack of attendance in the studios, but with Colette and Emmas unfailing presence, it always has people around now. 

For me, i've had a great time in Red Wire- from dressing as cowboys on Bold Street, lobbing paint bombs at our freshly painted gallery, spending two weeks drunk in Greece to serving people locusts dipped in chocolate, i've had a ton of memories that wont fade one jot. My many thanks go to all members through the years, theres been tons of them to go into it too much, but special gratitude goes to Karen, Katie, Mike and of course Amy.

I still think Red Wire is the best studio in Liverpool (I would!), I hope its attitude of do-what-the-hell-you-want doesnt change, and am confident its in good hands with the new breed. Apparently theres a new website on the way, so keep your eyes peeled for that- this is my signing off from here- thanks for reading the misspelt crap I wrote over the years. au revior. - JT

Crosshairs - Greek Residency 2 (10/05/11)

In 2008 Red Wire went to the Greek island of Paros to make and exhibit From the egg to the apple- its certainly a personal favourite RW memory, and tomorrow three of those who went are off to Kalymnos to create work and finally exhibit in Crosshairs. Karen O Brien, Joshua Tennant and Amy Goring (hopefully joined later on by other members) will be making work and reliving Amys Catapult Challenge (from Roy Castles). Can. not. wait  - JT

Amy Goring Leaves Red Wire (01/05/11)

Founder member/ my missus Amy has now left Red Wire after 5 1/2 years of service. Amys high note will be curating and organising arguably our highlight exhibition whilst we had a gallery- Fear Yourself by Texan artist/musician Daniel Johnston during the 2008 Liverpool Biennial- a great coup for Red Wire. Amy participated in every Red Wire exhibition - from One to Crapola Central, featured on Fear and Optimisms flyer, and in most zines and played a pivital role in every aspect of how we've developed. Red Wire wouldn't have been half the space without her influence.  - JT

FRANKENWHORE (22/03/11)

Red Wire will be taking over Wolstenholme Square for a one night explosion of music and art on Friday 25th March.

Performing will be Blanket, Stars in Mental Health, Go tell the Woman and Black Stain Pope with a late night DJ set from Chew Disco. Theres also live drawing from Draw the Line and a full assortment of Red Wire artists works. Sort yerself out, and get down to Wolly Sqaure  - JT

Keeping up with the Joneses (23/02/11)

As Mick McCloughlin leaves Red Wire due to ill health, we wish him all the best in his recovery, and welcome Emma Rush and a pair of Joneses in Amanda and Simon. Emma, who is one half of unsociable animals has a new page here, while Amanda, the other-half to Emma Gilmour and Beat-City cohort has been a kind-of member for a while, and Simon Jones (no relation), a sound/sculpture and installation artist is taking over Joanne McClellans old space, and we'll have some images of his up soon.  - JT

Left: Amanda Jones- Hot pot of Surreality (still). Right: Emma Rush- Mr Chicken

Closing Time Exhibition @ RIBA (06/01/11)

Kevin Caseys series of photographs of abandoned pubs are set to be exhibited at RIBA from Wednesday 12th Jan. "Taken between 2007 and 2010 these images are a stark representation of the decline of the "local" as patterns of life and work have changed" 

The exhibition runs from 12th January till 10th February. RIBA, Northwest Milk and Sugar, 82 Wood Street, Liverpool.  - JT

www.closingtimeliverpool.co.uk

The Bay Horse by Kevin Casey

Dave and Ros depart Red Wire (02/01/11)

Both Dave Penny and Ros Hyde have recently left Red Wire for pastures new, we are currently seeking replacements for these two.   - JT

Red Wirer in the press (20/12/10)

Red Wirer Emma Gilmour together with Amanda Jones had a full page feature in today's Liverpool Post. Together they founded their own business- Beat City Images and sell photographic prints and works of art. Great to see they are getting good exposure in the local press. A link to the full article is here  - JT

Between Expression and Action (01/12/10)

3 - 5 December 2010 - Opening 3 December Friday, 6-9pm

Red Eric Studios, 47 Westfield Road LS3 1DG Leeds

Closing Time (25/11/10)

The long awaited launch of Red Wires Kevin Casey's book Closing Time is upon us, with his book launch at FACT Wednesday 1st December. Closing Time looks at the increasing numbers of pubs forced to close throughout Liverpool.

'Once as important part of their community, most of the pubs had been hit by the smoking ban, cheap supermarket alcohol, the recession and, above all, a changing culture where a night at the 'local' was no longer the automatic choice for an evening out'.

Closing Time is currently on sale in FACT Shop- you know- the one with the handsome manager.  - JT

Winters Art Market (24/11/10)

Red Wire's Matthew Lloyd will be one of 10 artists exhibiting their wares as part of St. Geroges Hall forthcoming Winter Arts Market. Matthews will be selling his Zines, Prints and Books all produced and handmade, all under his banner of No Compromise Publishing. The market takes place on November 27th, and should be pretty neat  - JT

Elizabeth Hayden (22/11/10)

Red Wire has a sparkly new member, in the shape of Elizabeth Hayden, a painter who will be taking our largest space together with Nick Stowbridge, a writer and musician who I will feature soon on here. Check out what Miss Hayden does at her new RW page  - JT

Elizabeth Hayden - Crate

Metaphasia (11/11/10)

Red Wires Alan Williams and Matt Lloyd are organising part of The Long Night at The A Foundation on the 18th Novemeber - check the Facebook event for more

METAPHASIA - A FOUNDATION LIVERPOOL

SPEND YOUR LONG NIGHT AT THE BIENNIAL AT A FOUNDATION

THURSDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2010, 21.00 - 3.00am at A Foundation; Hosting one of Liverpool's biggest Independent Live Arts Events of 2010.

Things are boring and we need a change, lets start a change. There is no shame in impulse!

Late night DJ's
Performances - Art - Video -Drinks a plenty - Dancing - Grooving and - Free Literature
featuring Mike Carney's and Jon Barracloughs Drawing Paper

Come Along, DID I mention its FREE!! Remember there is no shame in impulse!  - JT

Dave's at Curve (20/10/10)

Dave Penny will be exhibiting at our neighbours gallery, Curve, in a Biennial Exhibition that also features Curve Director, Lisa Who and painter Thomas Williams. Dave will be showing his series 'Work in Progress' which features photogrpahs that are of 'simple things found around the domestic space: attention is bought to the overlooked, placing value on that which is often quiet or un-noticed'. The show opens Friday 22nd October.  - JT

Dave Penny- Grower (from Devices for Progress series)

Joanne McClellan (06/10/10)

Joanne joined us about a month ago, and was indispensable during out Cooperative stall organizing by making Red Wire badges and keyrings, which you can see in Rapid Paint Shop on Renshaw street. Get yourself one, as they are limited editions, and might be worth thousands one day.

Joannes brand spanking new Red Wire page is now on this site too, and you can find her here   - JT

The Lion (01/09/10)

Red Wire members are going to be exhibiting in The Lion Tavern for the start of Liverpool Biennial. The Lion is a cracking pub, and is next to that spinney building on Moorfields Street. Theres 14 RW members at the moment, and we're hoping to fit most of us in there. The viewing is on September 15th, and Ceri Hands P.V is going to coincide down there.  - JT

The Blog has changed (01/09/10)

Instead of me monopolising the blog, its been opened out to all our members to write what they fancy. Some Red Wire related stuff, some nothing to do with us. Alan and Matt have written already over at http://redwireredwire.com/page2.htm   - JT

Logo (31/08/10)

Red Wires 5 year long discussion of logos seems to be at an end, Alan Williams has designed this, which is now The definitive Red Wire Logo, and will be used on The Cooperative's branding and various other things. at last - JT

New Page: Colette Lilley  (10/08/10)

Colette Lilley has become the 42nd artist to join Red Wire since our inception in June 2005. Having already been based in the studio above us, it hasn't been a long trek for Colette. She takes over from our recent departee Liam Greenall, who is making a name for himself in Hong Kong. Having already transformed her space into a clean-cut studio, Colette seems well settled in already. Artists 43 and 44 are to be announced soon! We're having a fast turnaround at the moment!  - JT

Rude Britannia (22/07/10)

As if joining Red Wire isn't big enough news in one week, Matthew Lloyd, the newest Red Wire member has had his zine accepted in Rude Britainnia's reading room currently showing at Tate Modern. Congrats to Matt.  - JT

Red Wire, now with 100% more Matthew Lloyd (19/07/10)

In our revolving door of studio members, the newest to join the motley clan is painter/drawer/illustrator/ ziner Matthew Llyod. Matt is one of two new members- the other is Colette Lilly, but I haven't got any images of hers yet. Colette and Matt will be taking over from Mike and Liams old spaces.   - JT

Liam's off to Hong Kong (13/07/10)

Co-founder set to leave Red Wire (02/07/10)

Mike Aitken, one of the four founders of Red Wire back in June 2005 leaves us this month for pastures new. In our infancy Mike did almost all of of the organizing- from the early rent collections, where we would all pay our £17.50 or something in cash (pre-bank account days), to his initiation of the Red Wire Zine photocopied in his dads garage, which he continued to run until the zine finished in 2008.
Mike also played a crucial role in organizing several exhibitions- most notably being North x Northwest- the TATE/ Henry Moore exhibition in 2008 and designed the flyers to One and (one of RW's finest experiences) Roy Castles Vision from Hell - where he committed a musicians nightmare of smashing a load of vinyls.  - JT

"take that Erasure"

Mikes primary influence on Red Wire though is the effort gone into rebuilding the studios no less than four times- from setting up the space, building the gallery (twice) and then transforming it into its present state, Mikes effort in the rebuilds has been immense, and I hope to hell we don't have to do it again without him.

In recent months Mike has been focussing on making noise in The Wolstenholme, where is is taking a space to continue drawing too, and Red Wire wishes him the best of luck over there. 

New Member - New Page (01/07/10)

Red Wire's newest member Kevin Casey now has a Red Wire page: you can find him here

Red Wire is set to have a couple of spaces going free over the next couple of weeks, so if your interested, pop us a bell at mail@redwireredwire.com

Its all Overs (29/06/10)

Red Wire member Ellie Overs is leaving us this month after around a year of being a member. Ellie exhibited in possibly the best Red Wire 'members-only exhibitions' Crapola Central last Biennial, and has always been a prominent member at our meetings.

Ellies rotten apples at Crapola

Ellie will be replaced by fellow FACT employee (like both Ellie and me) and photographer Kevin Casey- who is set to build a darkroom in the space. With Dave Penny also joining not too long ago, it seems photography is in vogue at Red Wire

Kevin image from 'This conditional nature' series

Open Studios (13/06/10)

Liverpools studios opened thier doors to the public this weekend, and with about 30 people coming through Red Wire's doors for the first time since we redeveloped our spaces it was a great sucess. Most of our members were in the studio making work, and our space has scarcely felt a better place to make work.

Open Studios This Weekend (07/06/10)

As part of Artinliverpool.coms initiative to have an Open Studios across Liverpool, Red Wire will be open for the first time since our redesign. Saturday 12th 12-6, before the England match, your welcome to pop round to look at us.

me presents a postcard to Rome (10/05/10)

Red Wirer me presents // Julie Martin disappeared for a few weeks recently, shes back now after spreading me presents postcards throughout Roma. There's a bag load of photos on her facebook if your mates with her, if not- there's a few on her Red Wire page too

Penny & Alabaster in The Bridewell (1/05/10)

Red Wires Dave Penny and Simon Alabaster are set to feature in the relaunch exhibition of The Bridewell Gallery up in Edge Hill. The show- set to coincide with The Bluecoats Global Studio exhibition features artists accross Liverpools studio groups. The show opens This Thursday (6th May) and is open until late June

Drawing Paper Zine (1/05/10)

Mike Carney of Royal Standard has begun a drawing zine, which has its first issue launching this Saturday 8th May. The first issue features Red Wire's Alan Williams as well as a whole host of friends and ex-members including Jon Barraclough, Mike Carney, Baptiste Croze, Jemma Egan, Henry Finney, Madeline Hall, Natalie Hughes, Harry Lawson, Hamish Mclain, Sarah McKevitt, Flis Mitchell, Bernadette O'Toole, Richard Proffitt, James Quin, Laura Robertson, Emily Speed, Topia Gould, Sam Venables, Alan Williams and Ki Yoong.

NO WAY HOME images (31/03/10)

Alan Williams's Red Wire page now contains some images from his recent exhibition NO WAY HOME (below) held at The Railway pub. You can check them out here or on his own website

NO WAY HOME (24/03/10)

This show is really worth seeing, but you only have until tomorrow to do so. It features a whole host of people I've never heard of, and our very own Alan Williams (who seems to be monopolizing this site at the moment). Its in a great venue, above The Railway, which I hope is used again to show art.

Above The Railway Pub. 'No Way Home' 23-25 March 2010.
Private Viewing Monday 22 March 18-22.00.
Showcases local artists, who work in a variety of media - with an open theme. Featuring the work of Danny Fitzgerald, Catherine Ledwidge, Steph Lloyd, Neil Maguire, Lauren McNally, Arlene Wheeler, Alan Williams, and Georgina Wright

Opening Times: Tues 23 Mar - Thurs 25 Mar. 13-18.00

Address: Above the Railway Pub, 18 Tithebarn St, Liverpool L2 2DT

Alan @ Wrong Love (24/03/10)

Alan Williams's work from The A Foundations Wrong Love event in February is now featured on this site. Alan's work was some of the work that best fitted audience expectations, and fitted in the small hut in the Blade Factory nicely above Jayne Lawless's piece (shown in an earlier post). More images of Alans Wrong Love work on his Red Wire page.

New Work : Dave Penny (24/03/10)

Dave Penny - The Angel - Manchester City Library, 2010

Dave Penny has begun a new Wordpress blog (link) which features some of his work from The Manchester City Library where he has been researching and documenting scraps of books that lay neglected during the libraries refurbishment. His Red Wire page now also features some new work.

Jayne @ Wrong love (5/3/10)

The WrongLove event held in The A Foundation and orchestrated by Come into Land last month involved 3 of our Red Wire members- Oliver Lomax, Alan Williams and Jayne Lawless. Jaynes work involved dozens of pairs of tights suspended throughout the hut in The Blade Factory and sent shadows throughout the space.  

Red Wire Presents 'me presents' 03/3/10

Julie Martin, aka 'me presents', one of Red Wire new gang of members now has a page on this site, which you can see here.

Julie Martin: Postcards

Jad Fair images (26/2/10)

Finally we have Jad Fair images from his Automatic Vaudeville exhibition last August online. It was a great exhibition, and possibly Red Wires final exhibition (at least in Victoria Street, as we have not got a gallery anymore). Together with Fear Yourself, Automatic Vaudeville was one of two shows we held by more famous artist/musicians

White Wings (23/2/10)

Its not often theres a new video to put on here, but this is Dave Pennys 'White Wings', a film of a paper plane in suspended animation.  

White Wings from david penny on Vimeo.

Newbs pages (22/02/10)

Two of our new members now have their own pages on this site- we now have work by both photographer and sculptor Dave Penny and drawing and mixed media artist Emma Gilmour.

Emma Gilmour - Ornithophobia 

Wrong Loved (14/02/10)

The Wrong Love event that people have been going on about for seemingly ages happened last night at The A Foundation. Red Wirers Alan Williams (whose slutty images and dildo brought laughter to many) Jayne Lawless's installation of tights (which someone stood next to me named 'stalactights') and a drunken Oliver Lomax live painting, into which a viewer was shoved (pictured, courtesy Jam E Blackburn) featured amongst the events

The upheaval claimed some of our members (26/01/10)

The recent turmoil that has surrounded Red Wire regarding the plans for a possible new space has made a few of our members jump ship. These included original members Chris Mills and Amanda Ferguson, as well as new member Anna Lockwood, and now we have found out Hamish McDonald and Joe McNulty are set to move out this month. We are therefore looking for some new members, we have some ideas, but if your reading this thinking 'God I want to join Red Wire', email us, because you probably can!

Staying Put >> Under a different guise (24/01/10)

As you might have heard we have been looking for an alternative venue since around last October. There were a few possibilities, but instead we have decided to stay where we are, and transform our space into an arts studio only spot (basically installing 3 new spaces in the gallery). We are also taking this opportunity to rebuild our studio side, so a whole load of work is going to have to be done over the next couple of weeks.

The Originals (27/11/09)

Red Wire started on 2nd June 2005 with its members being Mike Aitken, Annie Houston, Amy Goring, Emma Wilkinson, Chris Mills, Joshua Tennant, Dave Tipping, Pete Formela, Hamish McLain, Zoe Langdell, Amanda Ferguson & Malini Vivian (maybe Kevin Hunt too, but I think he was a bit later).

Gradually time has taken most of these members, our present studio move has claimed another two, that being Chris Mills and Amanda Ferguson- thus leaving just Mike, Amy and Josh from this original cast. Chris is set to concentrate on his teaching and will paint from home, meanwhile Amanda is taking a hiatus to reassess her practice while she moves house. Best of luck to both.

Soaptank Studios (27/11/09)

Two Red Wire members are exhibiting at the forthcoming Xmas exhibition to be held at the newly founded Soaptank Studios in Warrington on 5/6th Decemeber. Both Joshua Tennant and (sadly soon to be departing Red Wire) Chris Mills will be showing new work that will also feature in an arts auction. More at www.soaptank.co.uk

Relocation Relocation Relocation (22/11/09)

Red Wire is currently looking for a new home, which will see us move from our studios at 69 Victoria Street. We have been at Carlisle Building since we graduated in 2005, so this is a huge undertaking, but early signs are promising, and we have been scouting locations, and contacting property owners of Liverpool. Hopefully we will have a new place up and running in the not too distant future.

JMU Talks (21/11/09)

Mike Aitken and Josh Tennant gave a presentation this week about Red Wire to about 40 JMU First Year students at their new building in the Cathedral Campus. This was first contact with the students, whom which we will be developing a drawing module in the new year. Also taking part are Metal ,The Royal Standard and Wolstenholme Projects, all of which also presented

NAN Films (02/10/09)

It took one hell of a long time to realise these were in exisance, but two films were made for our collaboration with The Royal Standard last year in the NAN Winner takes it all? tour, in which we invited about 20 odd artists to view the Capital of Culture and '08 Biennial. You might recognise some of us and the Standards in them...