Open Eye Gallery is an art gallery with a focus on photography. It has a collection of work from 100 photographers plus an exhibition space that hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions.
The gallery was founded in 1977 and moved into its current purpose-built space in 2011.
What to see at Open Eye Gallery
Open Eye Gallery has a collection of 1600 prints from 100 photographers with an emphasis on portraiture and documentary photography.
The gallery also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:
Residents
Residents (until 14 December 2025) presents portraits created by photographer Ming De Nasty with members of Liverpool’s LGBTQIA+ community. The work reflects on how the city centre feels to those who use it for connection and expression. The images appear in the Open Eye Gallery atrium and at selected MerseyRail stations. The project forms part of the Photo Here programme and Homotopia Festival 2025.
Liverpool City Region Photo Awards 2025
This exhibition (until 11 January 2026) presents work by Liverpool City Region Photo Awards 2025 finalists from across the region. The exhibition shows how photography is used in daily life and includes images selected from over 2,000 entries. Category winners and commended photographers feature in the main display, with every submission shown in the Digital Window Gallery.
Visiting Open Eye Gallery
The gallery is on Mann Island near RIBA North, the Museum of Liverpool, the British Music Experience and Tate Liverpool, which are all less than a five-minute walk away. It is very close (only a two-minute walk) to James Street station and Liverpool One bus station is around a seven-minute walk from the gallery.
Open Eye Gallery is wheelchair-accessible. It is open every day except Mondays and entry is free of charge.
Although it is a small gallery, it is not difficult to spend an hour or longer here.
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