Chris Day installation at Walker Art Gallery

Glass artist Chris Day has created a blown glass and mixed media modular installation for Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery, which provides a powerful message about the city’s historic involvement with the slave trade.

Presented by the Contemporary Art Society through the Griffin Award, which supports the annual acquisition of an important work in a craft medium, ‘Now you see me’ will be displayed alongside the painting that inspired it – ‘The Card Party’ by Gawen Hamilton (1698-1737).

Day saw the 18th-century painting at the Walker, in which a small, black servant is hidden in the painting. His new work sheds light on this child’s story and the experiences of others who have been silenced.

Seeing themselves in the quasi-reflective glass, viewers observe an image that is present, but not quite there, mirroring the essence of the boy. The glass pieces are encased in a series of wooden boxes made of recycled pallet wood. The transformation of the wood into artwork mirrors Day’s own journey from plumber to artist, serving as a reminder that, with dedication and opportunities, one has the power to redefine paths and perceptions. While ‘Now you see me’ centres around the representation of a black boy, Day hopes that the work will resonate with a wider audience, reflecting broader themes and narratives.

Through his often-personal works, Day explores his own identity as a mixed-race man. His research into his ancestry has led him to expose the stories of the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies in his art. Day’s primary purpose is to engage the audience on difficult issues, using art to overcome the traumas that haunt our collective past. The beauty of his work invites closer inspection, creating a striking contrast with his powerful message.

Day rediscovered his passion for art after working as a heating engineer for 20 years. He graduated from Wolverhampton University in 2021 with an MA in Design and Applied Art, where he studied ceramics and glass. His former trade informs his artistic practice and he incorporates found materials from the heating industry into his work.

Commenting on the new installation, Day said, “My passion lies in making work that sparks reflection on the transatlantic slave trade. I am delighted to have the chance to create a commission that will start a conversation in Liverpool, so deeply rooted in that trade.

“I am proud that my work will be part of the Walker’s collections and I’m eager to see the reactions and discussions it may provoke.”

Nicola Scott, Curator of Decorative Art at National Museums Liverpool, added, “I am delighted that Chris Day has created this new commission for the Walker, presented by the Contemporary Art Society through the Griffin Award. It is an exciting opportunity to acquire an artwork by one of the UK’s leading glass makers.”

‘Now you see me’ opens on 6 August 2024 and runs until 24 November 2024. Admission is free, with donations welcome.

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Walker Art Gallery is at William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EL, UK.

Image: ‘Now you see me’ installation. Photo: Simon Bruntnell.