'Mike McCartney Luvs St Geroge's Hall' - Exhibition now open

Celebrated photographer Mike McCartney officially opened his new exhibition at St George’s Hall Liverpool on Friday evening with the iconic venue as the focus.  Entitled, Mike McCartney Luvs St George’s Hall, the exhibition runs until Sunday, 18 October.

The evocative exhibition features 60 fascinating images depicting the Liverpool landmark and spans more than half a century – from the 1960's through to the present day.  All of the images have been taken by self-taught photographer Mike, alongside a small selection of his favourite shots of the stunning Grade I Listed building.

The exhibition will also mark the opening of a further public area in the fascinating Catacombs, which run underneath St George’s Hall. This is a new gallery space, never before open to the public.

Photographer, musician and author, 71-year-old Mike’s career has taken an illustrious path through music and the arts.  The father of six lives with his family on the Wirral.

The Merseybeat era played a huge role in Mike’s life. He was one third of cult 1960s band Scaffold, alongside Roger McGough and John Gorman. Widely known for their satirical comedy act, things took a turn towards the music charts in 1967 when Mike penned their first Top 5 hit single, Thank U Very Much – a favourite of the Queen Mother and the then Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

This was followed in 1968 by another hit song, Lily The Pink which reached the Number One spot and stayed at the top of the charts for five weeks. Already photographing fellow bands at this time, Mike was nicknamed ‘Flash Harry’ by The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein for always using a flash gun for his live pictures.

First publicity photograph of comedy group Scaffold

Mike is just as famous for his art as his music and poetry. He has staged exhibitions across the world, including Japan, America and Canada.

Mike’s photographs resulted in the National Trust restoring and opening 20 Forthlin Road as a tourist attraction. This is Mike’s childhood home in Liverpool, which he shared with his older brother Paul.

Mike’s photographs have also been featured in Q Magazine’s Greatest Rock and Roll Photographs of All Time, and have been shown worldwide on MTV’s Rolling Stone 100 Greatest Pop Songs programme.

Two real honours for Mike are having 11 of his photographs bought for the nation and exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in London; and also personally greeting the Queen at the Museum Of Liverpool to show her his exhibition, Mike McCartney’s Liverpool.

Photographer Mike McCartney commented: "When I was asked to do an exhibition for Liverpool's prestigious St George's Hall I was firstly chuffed, but then thought 'an exhibition of WHAT?’'

Initially I was planning a Liverpool based number of images with a few of the Hall thrown in, but when I searched through my vast repertoire of Scouse pics I was amazed at how long I had loved and photographed this magnificent building! In fact I've been snapping her and things appertaining her from the 60's, right up to now! Including Scaffold's first Black & White press photo in Codman's Punch & Judy Show frame... St George's ace organ and magnificent Minton Tiles... Marilyn Monroe in the Great Hall… The launch of our European Capital of Culture, with Ringo on the roof! Plus John Conteh, Les Dennis, Sue Johno, Doddy, etc inside... the start of Liverpool Gay Pride parade… the hall's various implements of torture!.. Santa Claus with my grandsons... plus a few secrets...to name but one! I hope you enjoy my 'Mike McCartney Luvs St George's Hall' exi, and your trip down Memory Lane"

Mike outside St George's Hall

Alan Smith, General Manager at St George’s Hall, added: “Mike’s work expresses a never ending sense of joy, colour and abounding pride in the images he records. The legacy of Mike’s work are rarely outspanned by anyone else. There is a steely eye for detail, but also a beautiful ability to tell a story in his work, whilst allowing the viewer to discover their own tales as they view the images. All this is built on Mike’s sheer ability as an artist and a photographer. It is very exciting to host Mike’s work, and one of the spaces to show the pictures has never been used as an exhibition space since the hall opened in 1854. To recognise this milestone, the room will subsequently be known as the McCartney Gallery.”

St George's Hand of God

EVENT DETAILS

Mike McCartney Luvs St George’s Hall

St George’s Hall, St George’s Place, Liverpool, L1 1JJ (North Entrance via Heritage Centre)

Running until Sun 18 October

10am-5pm Daily

Entrance fee: £2.50 payable on door.

(Above Text courtesy of Press release provided by Bill Elms Associates)

Photo Credit – All Mike McCartney except Mike outside SGH credit David Munn

I had the great pleasure of having a chat with the man himself on Friday evening at the wonderful launch. Mike is extremely down to earth and has a distinct warmth about him. After viewing his photography, I asked him how he felt about seeing them exhibited. He laughed and said that he had seen them before. We talked about the array of photographs on display and his emotions towards them. His passion for photography and ability to capture moments within his beloved city of Liverpool is undeniable. He tells it like it is and you can't help but be endeared to this man and appreciate his skillful photography. It resonates with the observer.

Mike and Me Photo credit: Shazney Spence

We talked in great length about the image which captures a "Sad lady in St John's Gardens" - the narrative attached to the photograph reads "The lady on the park bench fascinates me. She's either tired and emotional or exhausted after being up all night with her baby! The image never fails to move me!" I was keen to explore this further with Mike and shared with him my feelings upon seeing the image. I too was moved and it was touching to see him speak with tender compassion about the lady who he was never able to approach and find out her real story. Mike told me that he still feels sad when he looks at the picture now.

Another image (or two in actual fact that we were able to talk about was "Spot the difference" A fantastic two photographs taken 50 years apart which were taken in St John's Gardens.

There is no surprise that Mike feels a great deal of excitement about holding his first exhibition at St George's Hall. The exhibition covers a variety of landscapes and settings. He has been taking snaps of the magnificent St George's hall  for decades now and his pride for his city is evident. Mike loves photography and there is no doubt that visitors to the exhibition will enjoy observing them. I chuckled and smiled broadly as I walked around the Mike McCartney gallery looking at the images and reading the narrative. Conversely, I felt sadness as I looked at the images which had a more serious tone. Ultimately, this is a great showcase of his talent. At 71 years young, Mike is a phenomenal role model for the City of Liverpool and an example of someone who has followed their passion enthusiastically. 

Photo credit: Shazney Spence

Follow Mike on Twitter for a regular fix of wit and humour as well as updates on his latest photographic snapshots.

Like him on Facebook too. Prepare to be lifted when you visit his exhibition. In his own words,"If it lifts your heart, it's art"