Independents Biennial 2025 programme revealed

More than 60 artists will show work at the Independents Biennial which returns to Liverpool City Region this summer.

The event runs from June 7 to September 14 – coinciding with the Liverpool Biennial – and will see artists exhibit at 120 locations across five boroughs.

They include Bidston Observatory, Hilbre Island, Dibbinsdale Nature Reserve in Bromborough, Fort Perch Rock, The Atkinson at Southport, Huyton Village and The World of Glass in St Helens, as well as the Bluecoat, Crown Building Studios, Liverpool ONE and Mersey Ferries. 

The Independents Biennial, founded in 1999 and supported by Arts Council England, is an artist-led festival which aims to showcase the vibrant art and art scene of the city region. 

It is managed by Art in Liverpool but programmed at venues and locations by artists, artist groups, art studios and artist networks. 

Art in Liverpool director Patrick Kirk Smith says: “The festival responds to the needs of Merseyside’s artist networks as things stand, by promoting, supporting and creating new gallery provisions, actively commissioning artists at every stage of their career, and continuing to support artists regardless of cash funds, because the Independents isn’t about making what’s possible, or what’s allowed, or supported.

“It’s always been about what’s not possible, and what goes unsupported. So we’re here, trying our best to support where we can, and that looks different for every artist.

Above: Lee Weston - Cast of the Building. Weston is one of 22 artists creating newly-commissioned work for the 2025 Independents Biennial

“This summer, that makes Merseyside look different for everybody, whether you’re wandering around a nature reserve or squished into a single car garage for a DJ set.”

The 2025 Independents Biennial includes 22 new commissions, with the commissioned artists being: Claire Beerjeraz, CBS Gallery, Rebecca Chesney, Jon Davies & the Sound Art Network, Alan Dunn, Ellis Eyo Thompson, Amy Flynn, Freddy Franke & Rat Shack, George Grace Gibson & Gee Collins, Ellie Hoskins, Anna Jane Houghton & Abbie Bradshaw, Noel Jones & 24 Hope Street, Brigitte Jurack, Dongni Laing, Georgina Tyson & The Royal Standard, Sufea Mohamad Noor, Daniel O’Dempsey, Tom Stockley & Ruaíri Valentine, The Drawing Paper (Show), Stephanie Trujillo, Jacques Verkade & Callan Waldron Hall and Les Weston.

The artwork includes sculpture, drawings, film and sound installations, poetry works, performance and creative workshops.

Print magazine Art in Liverpool will act as a programme for the festival, alongside digital platforms, allowing people to find out what’s on and read more about the art and artists in the newspaper. 

Independents Biennial runs from June 7 to September 14. More HERE