By Philip Hayes

I began making collages around 2004, drawing on the wealth of material I was amassing at the Picket music venue in Liverpool.

I use a variety of images (posters, flyers, tickets) and photographs to create a collage based around a theme, person or topic.

I have been commissioned by private clients, organisations, Liverpool bands and a published author to produce collages for a variety of purposes including:

• “A Terrible Beauty is Born” – two pieces created in connection with a book based on the work of Belfast muralists.
• “Liverpool: Wondrous Place” – borrowing the title of the Billy Fury song and the book by Paul Du Noyer, celebrating Liverpool’s culture and creativity.
• “Sound City” – for Liverpool based S.C. music festival.

Work in progress by me includes a piece to celebrate the Cavern’s 60th birthday in 2017, The Farm, two for Cast, Threshold Festival and Liverpool Football Club homage. I’m a season ticket holder in the Kop and was instrumental in producing “Fields of Anfield”.

I’ve spent 25 years working as a venue manager and festival organiser in Liverpool. For more background information go to: www.savethepicket.com

My pioneering work included setting up a community access recording studio for unemployed bands, including the La’s, Pete Townshend from the Who, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono.

I’ve worked at two music venues, the Picket in Hardman Street, now the Old Blind School, and was responsible for the first venue to open in the Baltic District in 2005 with performances by Deaf School, Elvis Costello and Mick Jones, Pete Wylie and The Farm as part of the Justice tour for Hillsborough Families.

Also spent time in the 1980’s/90’s as lead singer in a band The High Five, and later as a band manager.

Now I’m working creating collages….

I am extremely passionate about my city, music and, most of all, my family and friends.

Photograph of Philip Hayes (second from right) with John Power (Cast), Alan McGee (manager of Oasis and Cast) & Peter Hooton (The Farm) Photo by Valerie Christie