Dock becomes open-air art gallery

It took Lawrence George Giles four years for him to photograph and complete his work. Enlarge Image

Liverpool's historic Albert Dock is being transformed into an open-air art gallery for a photographic exhibition.

The 54 huge panoramic photographs depict seaside day trippers at all of the country's remaining seaside pleasure piers.

The exhibition, entitled Time and Tide, runs from Friday until 15 July.

It is the brainchild of Liverpool-born photographic artist Lawrence George Giles who was inspired by memories of visiting Blackpool in the 1960s.

He set out to encapsulate the nation's favourite day out in one image and his work will be a major highlight of the Capital of Culture themed year, Sea Liverpool 2005.

Mr Giles began a tour to capture the nation's piers in late 2000.

This exhibition is like no other I've ever seen Councillor Warren Bradley

Starting in the north east and going clockwise around the country, finishing at Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, it took four years for him to photograph and complete his work.

Mr Giles, 44, said: "As a nation of islanders we have a great affinity for the sea. We feel drawn to it and piers are a huge part of that."

The series of large-scale photographic timescapes can be seen on his website, Time and Tide.

The installation of his biggest exhibition was funded by the Liverpool Culture Company.

Councillor Warren Bradley, Liverpool city council's executive member for culture, said: "This exhibition is like no other I've ever seen.

"It's a fantastic addition to our Sea Liverpool celebrations and gives the Albert Dock a completely new cultural dimension."