The undertaking of Revisiting the Giants project will lead me to revisit my own personal history viewing The Liverpool Giants, a public art street performance of giant-sized marionettes. This will lead me to regain access to my personal archive of photographs, the images are from all three events (2012, 2014 and 2018). I will also research and revisit The Liverpool Giants by utilising the Liverpool Central Library archives of the Liverpool Echo newspaper which is discussed in more detail down below. During this project I feel it’s important to tap back into my emotions and inner child’s mind during those times whilst discussing the importance of The Liverpool Giants through social sciences. Using social practice, public art, geographical borders, and politics in my life as a lens to look at the role of The Liverpool Giants in the public space.

 

Revisiting the Giants project currently sits in the planning phase with stage one of planning complete. I and graphic designer Steven Discipline have been working closely on creating merchandise, public advertisements, informative booklets, flyers, and leaflets to serve as promotional materials and keepsakes. Steven discipline and I discussed what merchandise would be appropriate and with his professional and commercial expertise on this we created a wide range of products. Merchandise will range from tote bags, t-shirts, banner pens, mugs, and bottles. You can see all merchandise on the merchandise page. 

 

The Liverpool Echo has its own newspaper archive on the Liverpool Giants History in the form of  microfilm at Liverpool Central Library. I have researched the newspapers ad articles because I am interested in how The Liverpool Echo welcomed and embraced the Liverpool Giants, and how people’s interpretation and acknowledgment of the Liverpool Giants changed over the years.

 

I created five paintings using acrylic paint on wood for the purpose of a design for the Liverpool Giants merchandise. Each painting is made with acrylic paint, and I painted on found offcuts of wood. It was important to use humble materials as it speaks truthfully to the politics in my life and other people from Liverpool as a working-class artist. Revisiting the Giants is a way to reclaim the narrative from economic and social divisions and humble celebration in being from a creative city that is rich in maritime history. The paintings that I created aim to reflect this and portray a sense of pride to how geographical borders can be navigated or even dismantled through collective experience.

 

Jackson Art Prize is a platform for artists to display their abilities and support artists to nurture a creative community. (citation) I used the Jackson Art Prize as a platform to showcase Revisiting the Giants and this led me to submit one of my own paintings Little Girl Giants Shoe (see figure). For the application process I written an artwork description, artist statement, and artist biography and in those are talk about the importance of The Liverpool Giants and the personal importance to me as the artist. After submission I was successful in making it through to the extended long list of the Jackson Art Prize- you can see in the link below.  

 

https://jacksonsart.awardsplatform.com/gallery/qdomVPbO/NEKpWngz?search=f12a28c7ab3e5135-1

 

Steven Discipline a Liverpool based graphic designer has provided digital mock ups of how my paintings will look on Liverpool screen. He has designed merchandise with my paintings as a mock up to visually test if the merch will be to standard quality. (next need to research where to get merch supplier) Steven discipline has a connection with a printing company based in St Helens who will print the promotional leaflets, posters and business cards. Steven and I have discussed costs and previously discussed a timeline of 28 days to complete graphic design, printing and payment which is now complete. To see promotional advertisement see the advertisement page. 

 

Site visit to Liverpool streets took place and I felt it was important research to complete. I went to the Liverpool Docks, and so and so to visit where the giants trekked. I felt this was important because argue that The Liverpool Giants were a form of public art and public performance. I witnessed The Liverpool Giants at their three events in 2012, 2014 and 2018 at ages 11, 13, and 17. Whilst I do have a solid understanding of the Giants as an adult now I felt it was important to understand again the importance of this and to do this it was clear that I had to revisit the places they paraded.

 

For this project it was beneficial to create a timeline around the Independent Liverpool Biennial and the transdisciplinary timetable and submission to accurately plan. This is to consider for other commitments I and other members on the project to be taken into consideration. Revisiting the Giants Project will resume in October 2025 because Patrick from Art in Liverpool and Culture Liverpool have other commitments around the Liverpool Independent Biennial which I am also showcasing in. Therefore, we have collectively decided to resume after my display In the Liverpool Independent Biennial is complete which will be in the Month of October 2025. More of this is discussed in Next Steps Page.