One of Liverpool’s favourite sons is to be honoured on January 17^th, on what would have been his 89^th birthday. A very special exhibition at one of Arthur’s favourite places in the city forms the centrepiece of the latest annual ‘Dooleyday’. Inspired by the world famous ‘Bloomsday’ held in Dublin and around the world every year on June 16^th, in honour of James Joyce, ‘Dooleyday’ is fast becoming a feature of Liverpool’s cultural landscape. This year’s celebration will centre on The Florrie in the Dingle, reputedly a favourite building of Arthur’s. Co-curated by The Florrie, the event will feature films, presentations, talks, a book reading, and an exhibition of original Dooley work, loaned from a mystery benefactor.

‘Dooleyday’ at The Florrie
3-9pm, Wed 17^th January
£3 Entry
(Exhibition goes on until 24^th January)
Call 0151 728 2323
Address: 377 Mill Street, L8 4RF
www.theflorrie.org / Twitter: @theflorrie
Call Tom on: 07587 692261. Email: tcalderbank@tiscali.co.uk
follow: @tockytom

Tom Calderbank, local creative activist behind the initiative, explained:

We just want to show our love and appreciation of Arthur, and make sure everyone in the city and further afield knows about him. As this is 2018, the 10^th anniversary of our reign as Capital of Culture and all that, we’ve put loads on. This year we’re adding The Florrie to the Dooley Sculpture Trail, by hosting a major exhibition here – and unveiling a very special statue in particular – donated to the people of the City by Arthur’s son, Paul. Gerry Potter’s reading a new poetic tribute to Arthur, Jeff Young will be reading his piece ‘Black Jesus’, and there’ll be informal talks by folks who knew and loved the man. It will be great, so try and get along for some of it if you can.

The day kicks off from 3pm and goes on until 9pm. Throughout the day there’ll be showings of 4 documentaries about Arthur: ‘One Pair of Eyes’, ‘Resurrection Liverpool 8’, ‘Joseph and Child’ and ‘This is Your Life’. There will also be readings from Tom’s new novel Dooleyday, Illy’s new play ‘In My Life’and showings of rare original pieces. Anyone with an interest in Arthur is encouraged to come along. There will be refreshments available, and entry is £1.

Anne Lundon, Florrie CEO, said:

We’re honoured to be hosting this year’s ‘Dooleyday’. Arthur was a working class hero who loved the Florrie, this area, this city. It’s only right that we the City of Liverpool lead on celebrating the great man. We’re particularly proud to join the Dooley sculpture trail, and in such a meaningful way, with an incredible work of art to add to the collection of treasures here at The Florrie. I’m sure Arthur would have approved.

Arthur Dooley was one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century. Born in Liverpool on 17th January 1929, he worked as a welder in Cammell Laird’s in Birkenhead and the Dunlop factory in Speke, before working as a cleaner at St Martin’s School of Art in London. He held his first exhibition in the gallery of the same name in 1962. His medium was usually scrap metal or bronze. He sculpted mainly religious works, including the Risen Christ in Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Redemption (with Ann McTavish) in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, The Resurrection of Christ at Princes Park Methodist Church in Toxteth and the Stations of the Cross in St Mary’s church, Leyland. He also produced a tribute to The Beatles in Mathew Street, depicting The Madonna with the band as infant Christ figures, entitled ‘Four Lads Who Shook The World’. Other notable works include ‘Splitting the Atom’ (depicting the creation of the atomic bomb) at Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire, and ‘Dachau’ – in Oldham.