The world’s largest brick built warehouse and iconic Liverpool dockside landmark, Tobacco Warehouse, has been captured by local artist and MerseyMade resident Sophie Green, and will become part of the artist’s Liverpool Icons Series of greetings cards and posters.
Inspired by the amazing architecture and locations of Liverpool, which has the largest single collection of Grade I Listed buildings outside of London, Sophie’s Liverpool Icons Series features such unique landmarks as the Liver Building, Liverpool Town Hall, St George’s Hall, Sefton Park Palm House, Bluecoat (Liverpool’s contemporary arts centre) and now Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley Dock.
Tobacco Warehouse, built 1898-1901 and designed by architect A. G. Lyster to accommodate the large bales of tobacco that were shipped from around the world, is being sympathetically converted into apartments and penthouses. The original purpose and dimensions of the building have defined the ‘titanic’ sized duplex apartments that are being developed. Phase one of Tobacco Warehouse offers 192 new two- and three-bedroom apartments, over two thirds of which are already sold.
Sophie’s distinctive illustrative style and the iconic Liverpool subject matter attracted the attention of teams at both the Titanic Hotel Liverpool and Tobacco Warehouse, who approached Sophie to explore commissioning unique artwork of Stanley Dock, that would capture both dockside landmarks and the Bascule Bridge.
Following agreement on the view to be drawn that accommodates Stanley Dock’s defining features, including the new storey of penthouses discretely added to Tobacco Warehouse, Stanley Dock Properties commissioned Sophie to create the new digital artwork.
The Titanic Hotel was granted permission to use the image on an A6 postcard, that is now available exclusively to hotel to guests. Tobacco Warehouse commissioned a seasonal version of the artwork to be used on a limited edition Christmas card that residents and new home owners at Tobacco Warehouse will each receive a limited number of. The cards, which depict a snowy Stanley Dock against a winter sky, make are unique and hugely personal for residents.
The final artwork has also been used on a new greetings card that forms part of the Liverpool Icons Series by Sophie, which is available to purchase from MerseyMade or direct from Sophie Green’s website.
Pat Power, Director, Stanley Dock Properties, commented:
”Sophie’s illustrations captured our attention, both in respect of their vivid style and subject matter – it is clear that she is passionate about art, Liverpool, its people and the LGBTQ+ community.
“Her work at MerseyMade, not just in her own space there, but also hosting events and helping to build a community that welcomes all with its easy accessibility is inspiring and something that was important in selecting a locally based artist to work with.
“The homes at Tobacco Warehouse and The Titanic Hotel are definitely iconic and we were delighted that Sophie wanted to use our commission as part of her Liverpool Icons Series of greetings cards.
“The final drawing is amazing, so much so that we commissioned a further seasonal version, to create a limited edition greetings card for residents at Tobacco Warehouse, many of whom will be celebrating their first Christmas there, as well as for new home owners completing and moving in in the run up to Christmas.”
Artist Sophie Green commented:
“It is great that my creative work attracted the attention of teams at both the Titanic Hotel and Tobacco Warehouse, and that my community work was also a factor in receiving the commission. This latest work will see my range of greetings cards featuring iconic Liverpool landmarks grow again, with more to come, as there as so many unique buildings and inspiring locations in Liverpool.
“I was familiar with Stanley Dock before starting the commission, but it also gave me the opportunity revisit the location and look more closely at the amazing industrial architecture and legacy that the old docks have created and that those staying and living there can connect with.
“Since making my creative home at MerseyMade in 2019 the team there and myself have worked hard to build a welcoming, creative and safe environment, and the café there is a great space in which to relax, meet friends and find inspiring art and gifts, all made in the Merseyside region.”
Sophie Green has exhibited her work in Cass Art, Victoria Gallery, Everyman Theatre, Artists Club, LUSH Liverpool and The Museum of Liverpool, in addition to receiving commissions from Wild in Art, Victoria Art Gallery, Ancestry, Alder Hey Hospital and Liverpool John Moores University. Her works explore Liverpool and its architecture, celebrates animals and the environment, as well as queer themes, sharing positive messages of love and protest, in work that is inclusive and uplifting.
The ‘Stanley Dock, by Sophie Green’ greetings card is available from MerseyMade in person at 98 Paradise Street, Liverpool L1 3HJ – beside Liverpool ONE, and online from merseymade.uk or from Sophie Green’s website www.sophie-green.com priced £3.00.
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