Independent Gallery Shop
Faithful OEG followers will know we have been mentioning our ‘independent book shop’ as often as we can (apologies!) but the team here is really quite proud of it. So proud, if fact that we thought a virtual tour would be a fantastic idea!
Without further ado…
As the only dedicated contemporary photographic gallery here in the dark and rain-soaked North, we think it is hugely important to point a torch towards local artists, be they established photographers or fresh out of university. If the work adds to the discussion about contemporary art, we stand firmly behind it and think it rightly deserves a place on our shelf or feature walls.
Section 2 is a completely different animal – this space is reserved only for independent publishers, such as MACK, and Fistful of Books. Expect more experimental, wacky and highly emotive projects not restrained by larger corporations in the forms of lovingly cloth-bound hardbacks and small edition zines. With such a range of massively differing titles, this is a good spot for a rummage through lesser-known names.
Browse through contemporary work from the likes of British Journal of Photography, Hotshoe, Aesthetica and fresh talent: Gravy Photographic. If your thirst for knowledge is left unquenched, there is always space on our theory shelf for the classics. From Susan Sontag to Friedrich Nietzsche, we have you covered.
Next, we have our local interest area; dedicated to established and up-and-coming local photographers or image-makers that turn their eye to UK soil. We have a wide variety of Craig Atkinson’s highly collectable publishing project: Café Royal Books alongside the work of Liverpool photographers Ken Grant, Dave Sinclair and more. All of this is only one part of our small-but-perfectly-formed independent shop!
Bright kids will love OKIDO, the arts and science magazine, and story-telling dice in our range for smaller hands. From shadow puppet theatres to 15ft concertina colouring books; we have the perfect gift to feed your child’s creativity.
Our cabinet is brimming with specialised, colourful analogue cameras and accessories (please ask about them!), featuring Lomography, Polaroid and DIY pinhole cameras. You are going to need film to feed, and luckily enough we have a whole stockpile of classics including Tri-X, Portra and Ilford HP5 amongst more rare and expired films to experiment with, such as special edition Impossible Polaroid film and turquoise tinted Lomo film.
Open Eye Gallery support and actively encourage artists of all ages and disciplines, and we endeavor to bring to our visitors a curated library of materials to do just that. Come in and have a look!
Visit our independent shop Tuesday-Sunday, 10:30am-5:30pm.
Students receive 10% off on presentation of a valid student card.
Written By Declan Connolly
