The opening
During the two years that the Albert Dock warehouse was being converted, a series of artworks were commissioned in and around the Dock to promote the Tate in Liverpool.
These included a public sculpture by the artist Tony Cragg, a billboard painting by the painter Stephen Campbell, and a spectacular live performance by artist Bruce McLean
and musician David Ward, who would go on to create a performance piece for the opening celebrations two years later.
The Gallery was opened on 24 May 1988 by the Prince of Wales. Alan Bowness was particularly keen for the Prince to be involved because of his interest not only in art and
architecture, but also in the rejuvenation of inner city areas.
True to Bowness's aim of using the 'Tate in the North' as a venue for major exhibitions of important modern art, amongst the opening exhibitions was a Surrealism exhibition
and also a display of the Rothko murals - important exhibits with a popular appeal that were to draw thousands of visitors to the Gallery.
Stephen Campbell working on billboard mural © Tate Archive 2003
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