JUNE 2016 –

Three double-decker buses have been transformed by contemporary artists into moving works of art in a major new commission by Liverpool Biennial, in partnership with Arriva North West.

The buses were launched to coincide with Liverpool Biennial 2016, running throughout the festival. One was transformed by pupils from Childwall Sports & Science Academy with Hato, and the other two by artists Frances Disley and Ana Jotta. The buses can be seen driving on routes through the City Centre, South Liverpool, North Liverpool and the Wirral.

Hello Future Me 

Designed by Year 7 pupils from Childwall Sports & Science Academy, in collaboration with artists and designers Hato, a Space Bus called Hello Future Me contains coded messages to the future citizens of Liverpool, spelled out in an alphabet of newly invented symbols that draw inspiration from imagined futures. It pays homage to the tradition of sending messages into outer space, in the hope that extra-terrestrial beings will be able to understand more about human civilisation.

Blaze

Liverpool-based artist Frances Disley's bus was inspired by the success story of Liverpool-born Eunice Huthart, the only contestant on the 1990s TV game show Gladiators to go on to be a Gladiator herself.  Blaze depicts the artist as a painted character with the power to blend in to her own artwork. Disley is one of ten Liverpool Biennial Associate Artists, based in the North of England. Her method uses form and colour to expose the thought processes of an artist.

Mrs Muir

Portugese artist Ana Jotta's bus, entitled Mrs. Muir, is painted to resemble a solid brick wall, inspired by the buildings the artist saw when she visited Liverpool for the first time. Starting her career as a stage actress and designer, Jotta has become known for her paintings and sculptures, blurring boundaries between art and life.