Wirral is hosting the Independents Biennial 2025, a major contemporary art festival running concurrently with the Liverpool Biennial. Nearly 300 artists will exhibit in 120 locations across the Liverpool City Region, including landmarks such as Fort Perch Rock, Hilbre Island, and Hamilton Square. Highlights include a studio group exhibition titled 'Boom' at the Old Fire Station in Port Sunlight, featuring sculptor Emma Rodgers and collaborators, with works by Johnny Vegas. The Williamson Art Gallery and Museum will debut a commissioned piece by Jackie Haynes and Heather Mullender-Ross, and an art market at Birkenhead Market on June 28 will offer works by over 30 independent artists.
The Independents Biennial matters because it amplifies artist-led initiatives alongside a major international biennial, democratizing access to contemporary art across diverse public spaces in the Liverpool City Region. By integrating art into everyday locations—from nature reserves to ferry terminals—it challenges traditional exhibition formats and engages local communities directly. The festival also supports independent artists economically through the art market, fostering a sustainable creative ecosystem outside institutional frameworks.