A group of young artists from Liverpool's L8 postcode, known as the Tiber Young Producers, are set to unveil a new exhibition in collaboration with Tate Liverpool. The exhibition, titled "Through Our Lens," will feature photography, film, and photomontage exploring the area's rich history and culture. It will launch on Thursday, 25 September, and run for a limited time.
The project, developed by artists aged 14 to 18, delves into the stories of different generations within the community. Through research and creative workshops, the young producers have created artworks that reflect the past, present, and future of L8, with some pieces set to become a permanent installation at the Tiber building.
Key Takeaways
- What: An audio-visual exhibition titled "Tiber Young Producers: Through Our Lens."
- Who: A collaboration between Tate Liverpool and young artists aged 14-18 from the L8 community.
- Focus: The project explores the history, culture, and generational stories of Liverpool's L8 postcode through photography and film.
- When: The exhibition launches on 25 September and is open to the public on select dates until 1 October.
- Legacy: Some artworks will be permanently installed in the Tiber building, creating a lasting legacy of the project.
Exhibition Details and Community Focus
The "Through Our Lens" exhibition is the culmination of a multi-year partnership between Tate Liverpool and the Tiber Young Producers. The display will be hosted at the Tiber building in Toxteth, placing the art directly within the community it represents.
The exhibition will be open to the public on four specific evenings, providing an opportunity for local residents and visitors to engage with the work. The scheduled viewing times are from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, 26 September; Monday, 29 September; Tuesday, 30 September; and Wednesday, 1 October.
The core theme of the project is the exploration of L8's identity. The young artists have examined narratives of the area, questioning who tells the stories of communities and highlighting the importance of local archives and personal histories in preserving cultural memory.
A Lasting Impact on L8
A significant outcome of this project is the creation of a permanent legacy within the community. Selected photomontage works created by the young producers will remain on display in the new Tiber building. This permanent installation will join a mural co-created with artist Neil Keating, which was installed in April, further embedding local art into the fabric of the community space.
The Tiber Young Producers Programme
The collaboration between Tate Liverpool and the Tiber Young Producers has been ongoing for over three years. The programme aims to empower young people in the L8 area by providing them with skills in art production, curation, and storytelling. Their 2024 project, "The Threads That Bind Us," received the Community Cohesion Award at the Liverpool City Region Culture & Creativity Awards, highlighting the programme's success and impact.
The Creative Process Behind the Lens
To develop their ideas, the Tiber Young Producers engaged in a comprehensive creative process over the summer of 2025. Supported by artist Mark Murphy, they learned techniques in photography and photomontage to create their final pieces.
Their work was heavily influenced by historical and cultural research. The group studied the archives of renowned photographer Leroy Cooper and Michelle Peterkin Walker, founder of the Liverpool Black Archive Hub. This archival research provided a foundation for their own photography, which aims to bridge the past with contemporary life in L8.
"As a photographer, so much of my understanding and sense of place comes from being able to explore the world through my camera. This project has been such a wonderful experience to watch our young producers, with such depth and curiosity, explore their local area and their relationship with Toxteth through their own lens."
Emma Case, Lead Artist and Tate Learning Producer
The project also involved connecting with community elders. The young producers worked with figures like Jerome Griffin, known as the 'Scouse Ghetto Gourmet', to explore local food, history, and culture through shared meals and conversations, enriching their understanding of the community's heritage.
Voices of the Young Producers
The participants themselves have spoken about the profound impact the project has had on them. They described it as a platform for self-expression and a way to build community strength through creativity.
Jasmin Kosmos, one of the young producers, said, "This project has allowed our voices as young people to flourish and allowed us to turn the adversities faced by the young people of Toxteth into a positive, creative space. It’s allowed us to show our vulnerability and use it for the better.”
Another participant, Amira Taher, highlighted the collaborative spirit of the group. "Through Tiber we have turned our diversity into a strength and our exhibition showcases what young people are capable of and what we can build together,” she stated.
Daisymay Austin added, "Working with Tiber has shown me creativity can unite a diverse community, turning individual stories into a shared story.”
Project Timeline and Key Figures
- Partnership Duration: Over 3 years between Tate Liverpool and Tiber Young Producers.
- Project Development: Summer 2025.
- Supporting Artist: Mark Murphy.
- Archival Inspiration: Leroy Cooper and Michelle Peterkin Walker (Liverpool Black Archive Hub).
- Community Collaborator: Jerome Griffin ('Scouse Ghetto Gourmet').
Tate Liverpool on a 'Truly Inspiring' Collaboration
Officials from Tate Liverpool have praised the ambition and dedication of the young producers. Stef Bradley, Curator of Learning at Tate Liverpool, expressed pride in the group's achievements.
"It has been truly inspiring to see this group rise to the challenge of an even more ambitious project in their third year working with Tate, taking their producer skills to ambitious new heights for this beautiful show close to home at Tiber."
Stef Bradley, Curator of Learning, Tate Liverpool
Bradley noted that the decision to connect with community elders over shared meals brought significant inspiration. "The Young people’s decision to connect with inspiring elders within their community... brought so much inspiration for the group, opening up some rich discussion exploring their place in their community as a new generation of creatives carving their own paths.”
This project underscores a commitment to community-engaged art, demonstrating how major cultural institutions can work with local youth to create meaningful work that resonates with and reflects the places they call home.