Loop: 21st Century art gallery

By Colin Serjent

A new arts organisation, dedicated to promoting abstraction in art, has been set up in Liverpool.
Loop, who describe themselves as a 21st Century art gallery, want to be part of the resurgence in the arts scene in the city.
"We believe that there has been a renewed interest in abstract painting," said Loop director Arthur Roberts. "Artists are turning away from the figurative in preference of doing abstract works."

The launch of Loop, which was formed at the beginning of this year, and is based on the ground floor of 12 Princes Dock, takes place during the 2004 Liverpool Arts Biennial, which begins on 18 September.
"It is a large space for artists to exhibit their work," added Roberts. "It's size is equivalent to the main exhibition space at the Liverpool Tate gallery."
The title of the show will be called 'Ten', featuring ten artists, ten paintings (one from each artist), for ten weeks.
There will be a mixture of nationally and locally recognised artists taking part, they include abstract painters John Hoyland, who won the John Moores prize in 1982, Maurice Cockrell, Craig Atkinson, Julie Jones, and Roberts himself.

Loop are also planning to run an educational programme during the exhibition, aimed at under-11's, when they will be encouraging schools to send children to the gallery to learn about abstract painting.