LIVERPOOL.- This week saw the opening of a new exhibition at the Museum of Liverpool, featuring works by leading international and emerging artists displayed together for the first time.

Drawing inspiration from the city, Liverpool Love opened on 28 September until 25 November 2012, showing a collection of 28 pieces curated by Merseyside-born artist Christian Furr and conceived with charitable art fundraiser Vaughan Davies.

Liverpool Love features everything from photographs of iconic Merseyside figures, a painting of The Beatles by artist and comedian Noel Fielding, an example of ‘Crochetdermy’ in the form of Red Rum by Shauna Richardson, and a pair of Liverpool-themed high heeled shoes designed by ‘rock and roll’ cobbler Terry de Havilland.

Other artists featured include Yoko Ono, Sir Peter Blake and The Beatles’ original bass guitarist Stuart Sutcliffe, creating an eclectic, contemporary collection of works that symbolise the artists’ love and connection to Liverpool and its people.

The artworks will be auctioned to raise funds for local charity Claire House Children’s Hospice, which provides respite and end-of-life care for children and young adults with serious medical conditions, and support for the whole family.

Christian Furr said: “We have brought together an incredible amount of talent to create an exhibition which depicts Liverpool’s fun, spirit, vivacity and soul in many different ways.

“Unlike any normal exhibition, when Liverpool Love closes the works won’t be delivered back to the artists’ galleries and studios, as we will be holding a gala auction of the works on display, with the funds helping Claire House.”

The gala auction will take place on 17 November. Information on how to purchase tickets and make pre-auction bids can be found at www.liverpoollove.org

Works by 22 artists are confirmed to feature in the exhibition along with special pieces by three brothers who are all affected by the same genetic disorder, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Twins Dan and Sam, 17, and their younger brother Tom, 14, have been visiting Claire House for the past 10 years, where staff give them and their family invaluable support and help them cope with their condition.

Claire House Northern Area Fundraising Manager, Helen Carlson said: “Liverpool Love is an inspirational collaboration that Claire House is proud and honoured to be associated with. The exhibition truly captures the spirit of Liverpool and the very fact it’s raising money for our local children is again symbolic of Liverpool and its big heart.”

Liverpool’s personality is captured in the exhibition by artists who are eager to support the charity, displaying their works in the world’s first national museum devoted to the history of a regional city.

Jane Duffy, Acting Director of the Museum of Liverpool said: “Part of this exhibition will be displayed in the Skylight Gallery, a space we use for exhibitions which we feel represent people’s own views and interpretations of Liverpool.

“Liverpool Love is perfect in demonstrating this philosophy, giving artists who feel a connection with the city an opportunity to display their works in a museum that symbolises everything Liverpool is about, and raise money for our charity partner Claire House. We’re really looking forward to seeing the variety of works on display, and the gala auction at the end of it all.”