Centre of the Creative Universe: Liverpool and the Avant-garde

While New York or London might seem like the obvious candidate for the center of the creative universe, since the 1960s a surprisingly large number of artists and other original thinkers have gravitated to Liverpool. As the birthplace of many visual artists—not to mention the Beatles, who, musical accomplishments aside, were massively important to the rest of the arts—the city’s impact on avant-garde culture is immeasurable. Of even greater magnitude, however, has been the city’s role as creative muse to outsiders, and it is this external perspective that forms the focus of Centre of the Creative Universe.

Concentrating on the city’s life after World War II, the essays collected here both reveal and challenge the myths of Liverpool’s creative scene. Simon Warner takes a look at Allen Ginsberg’s interactions with the city, Jackie Florek tells the story of legendary postpunk club Eric’s, and acclaimed music writer and erstwhile mogul Paul Morley addresses the idea of the North. Published to accompany a major exhibition at Tate Liverpool, at which the Turner Prize will be awarded, this gorgeously illustrated book will stand as the definitive statement on Liverpool’s unrivaled place in the artistic firmament.