Liverpool Biennial X At The Library: 'Heaven in the Ground' by DARCH

We're a commissioning partner for Liverpool Biennial 2025 and earlier this year DARCH, the collaborative practice of artists Umulkhayr Mohamed and Radha Patel, ran a series of workshops for local residents and artists touching on themes of death and grief, togetherness and the climate crisis. Made in collaboration with participants from our Loved and Lost programme as well as The Colour of Pomegranates, local residents and artists came together in Bootle Library to discuss themes of grief, death, togetherness and ritual. 

We stitched a tapestry together as well as recording conversations to inspire a sound piece by DARCH. As a result of those workshops, the sound work weaves together people's stories of their physical and spiritual connections to the lands of Merseyside. 'Heaven in the Ground' tells the story of bedrock - the earth underneath our feet - as the great connector which holds all of our histories and possible futures.

Touching on themes of death and grief, togetherness and the climate crisis, DARCH ask us to consider bedrock as a space that is shared equally by all species - plants, animals, weather or other beings - and one through which we can collectively reimagine a gentler and more compassionate world.

Central to DARCH's shared artistic practice are rituals, shrine building and animism - the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. Their work explores relationships to land and the environment through sound, conversations and storytelling.

You can now come and listen to the piece in Crosby Library where it will be installed for the length of the Biennial, until 14th September, between 10am and 4:30pm on weekdays and 10am - 1:30pm on Saturdays.

If you'd like to get involved in our Loved and Lost programme or The Colour of Pomegranates, find out more on our 'What We Do' page.