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Back to index of Nerve 20 - Summer 2012
Review: Postcode: at Liverpool Museum
A visit and meeting with the artist by the Nerve/WEA review writing course.
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| Joann says of this artwork: "I can tell you what it means to me:- Art for me is about raising a conscience in the audience, poking at that conscience and prompting a response, I set out to create beautiful photography alongside the reality of life in a demonised community through the text panels. The purpose was to create a juxtaposition to confuse the mind and leaves you no choice but to think about the subject." |
By Sue Hunter
On a first floor corridor in the new Liverpool Museum you come across some Old Masters. At first glance you think they would belong in the Walker Art Gallery. Then you notice that the ornate gold frames contain photographs, not paintings, and the portraits are of modern young people, with a statement about themselves underneath, specifically about their experiences of the "Stop and Search" law.
A black lad in a hoodie, an athlete who runs for this country, tells how he has been stopped and searched countless times, and the effect this has on his pride and confidence.
A young girl describes her humiliation at having the private contents of her handbag tipped out for all to see.
Others relate how hard it is to walk around with their mates because of constant harassment by the police.
Viewing this exhibition sets off a lively discussion. Some relate scary encounters with groups of taunting lads, or talk of the mayhem caused by bored and angry youths on their estate.
Then we look back at our own histories and beyond, at how young people have always challenged society and its laws, from Teddy Boys to 19th century gangs.
Meanwhile we agree that the large majority try to get on with their lives peacefully, but they are tarred with the media's blanket brush of condemnation. After all, Good News is No News.
Joann Kushner is the artist who is working with many young people around Merseyside in a wide-ranging project including workshops, the photographs we saw, documentaries and interviews. She described amazing artworks of emotional power, created by young people whose lives are a constant struggle to develop themselves and escape prejudice.
We hear about a 13-year-old lad who was stopped and searched on his way home from school eight times in one day. About the notorious Section 30, which disbars groups of more than three youths together: how are young people supposed to make friends or make a date?
The whole point of the project is to show the other side of the story - the full picture of life as a youth in modern Britain, to counter the relentless lies and myths pushed in the press, which claim all youth are "feral".
We learnt a lot from this small exhibition and its artist: became angry and sad and uplifted too.
Check it out; it's on till 16 September 2012.
Footnote: there wasn't time to talk about why a small minority of youth behave badly or violently. This is where the title 'Postcode' comes in. Here's a question for us all: if you live in an area with 25% unemployment and poor facilities, as a young person what do you do with your brains and bottle, passion and energy?
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