DRUDENHAUS at Bridewell Studios

Bridewell Studios is hosting the inaugural exhibition and fundraiser of DRUDENHAUS – a brand new artist-led initiative and collective from the mind of Niamh Tam. The display includes a group exhibition from local artists, an auction for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), and a programme of events from spoken word to live music nights.

DRUDENHAUS was born to fill a space on Liverpool’s art scene, one that is now often moulded by larger institutions and a decreasing number of grassroots opportunities and support for artists to organise and create together. Interdisciplinary artist and Artist Futures Fund resident Niamh Tam noticed this gap and decided to do something about it so creating a community became a priority. 

Tam’s own work embraces all things horror and grotesque, and uses this aesthetic as a form of female empowerment. She’s noticed that Liverpool has a niche yet loyal scene of feminists who revel in the frightful and Lynchian across music, visual arts and literature, spearheaded by events at the QUARRY, a truly multidisciplinary and alternative events venue (who, to their fans’ despair, are being forced to find a new venue – keep your eyes peeled for more info because they’re definitely coming back).

From this, the idea of DRUDENHAUS came about and even the name itself refers to a prison for people accused of witchcraft in the German town of Bamberg. It’s a great way to sum up the thinking behind the project  – it reclaims the name to celebrate nonconformist attitudes and offer a space of openness, community and collaboration. The aim is to set artists free and provide a platform for fresh ideas, ideally with some genuinely weird results. For Tam, strange projects are synonymous with an inclusive environment for pure creativity and that’s what she wants to see more of on the local art scene. 

DRUDENHAUS’ first exhibition is the result of an open call and features painters, printmakers, ceramicists, textile artists and other creatives, showcasing around 25 artists’ work. While Tam’s own preferences are for the dark and surreal, she wanted to avoid setting a theme this time so viewers can expect a selection of works across many different mediums and topics, although there is definitely a hint of the grotesque here and there. 

Please note, the exhibition is open Wed- Sat 12-4pm. A special poetry night will take place on 28 February, a charity art auction on 6 March and a live music night on 13 March Check the DRUDENHAUS social media pages for more information.