Chris Shaw’s photographic series captures the battle between nature and the urban landscape in his hometown of Wallasey. The images show the resilience of plants as they break through tarmac and emerge from the water of the docks. Making the weed his subject, Shaw takes a traditionally unwanted and invasive species and shows the beauty in overlooked places.
Our display The Plant that Stowed Away takes its title from one of these photographs. The display looks to the series as a starting point to explore ideas of migration and the movement of people. Starting in Liverpool and its surroundings, we travel across time and geographies through works from the Tate Collection.
Join Dr Christine Eyene and Chris Shaw for an exciting discussion. They will discuss the agency of plants and the importance of maritime enterprise in Liverpool. Looking closely at Weeds of Wallasey, they will explore the importance of natural forms to the development of the city.
Biographies
Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw (born 1961) is a documentary photographer from Wallasey. He studied photography at art school then went on to document his experience working as a hotel night porter in London from 1993-2004.
His project Weeds of Wallasey began when he went to visit his ailing father. Having found his original plan of photographing his parent too emotionally difficult, Shaw instead turned the camera on the area where he grew up, searching for life and nature amongst the industrial backdrops.
Dr Christine Eyene
Dr Christine Eyene is an art historian, critic, and curator. She is Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Art at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and Research Curator at Tate Liverpool. Her curatorial practice encompasses global contemporary arts, with a particular interest in African and Diaspora arts, feminism, photography, and sound art.
Since 2021, she has been developing research on the theme of ‘Botanical Histories and Colonial Legacies’, exploring the memory of the land in rural Cameroon, the movement of plants, traditional knowledge, and colonial histories. This research informed The Plant that Stowed Away at Tate Liverpool + RIBA North and the coinciding display What the Mountain Has Seen at LJMU.
Accessibility
Tate Liverpool is temporarily located at RIBA North, Mann Island, a short distance (425m) along Liverpool’s iconic waterfront. There is step free access to the main entrance. There is a lift to the first floor gallery, or alternatively you can take the stairs.
- Toilets are located on the first floor
- The nearest Changing Places toilet is located at the Museum of Liverpool
- Ear defenders are available to borrow. Please ask a Visitor Engagement Assistant
Additional seating is also available. Please ask a member of staff if you require assistance.
To help plan your visit to Tate Liverpool + RIBA North, have a look at our visual story. It includes photographs and information of what you can expect from a visit to the gallery.
For more information before your visit: