A piece of art that thousands of people walk past in Liverpool everyday faces an uncertain future.
Known as Ray and Julie, the open-air sculpture is made up of two iron chairs facing each other that were installed on a patch of land in London Road back in 1995.
Taking its name from a random piece of graffiti that was painted on the wall at the back of the plot, the sculpture has gone from temporary space filler to cultural conversation piece over its lifetime. It was the vision of married artists Alan Dunn and Brigitte Jurack.
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The installation was only intended to be a temporary fixture until London Road was developed. The sculpture was commissioned by Furniture Resource Centre - hence the chairs - and was there there to commemorate whoever previously lived on the plot that was once home to Jerome Photographic Studio. The chairs have remained the only constant in the space ever since.
The installation is currently based between the Sketch bar and City Style Barbers, but in recent years the plot of land the installation is based in has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour. The city council is keen to market the prime plot of land and this will of course mean that Ray and Julie will need to be moved. But where to?
Michael Birkett is chief executive of the Regenda Housing Group and also chairs the Fabric District Community Interest Company which works to shape the direction of London Road and the surrounding areas.
He said: "We now realise that the current location of the artwork probably isn't the right one, there has been lots of anti-social behaviour and it isn't really working where it is.
"It would be lovely if we could keep the sculpture in the Fabric District within the Fabric District but if there is a more suitable location elsewhere in Liverpool then that would also be a good result too."
Mr Birkett said the CIC is keen to work with the council on making sure when the site is marketed that a long-term viable solution is found for what is a prime spot in London Road. He added: "It's a really important plot and we don't just want a short-term solution, we need a long-term vision and something we can be proud of."
Speaking about moving the sculpture, city centre councillor Nick Small said: "The site is causing all kinds of problems for residents and businesses, including dumping, street drinking, drug dealing and flyparking.
"It's a prime site in a key gateway and does need to be developed. The Ray and Julie art installation there is very much of its time. In its current location in the state it's in now most people don't even realise this is public art, let alone appreciate its value.
"I would welcome Ray and Julie being moved to another location perhaps still in the Fabric District in consultation with the original artists Alan Dunn and Brigitte Jurack and the public where it could be better contextualised and appreciated. In the right location it could be a real tourist attraction."
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: "The council is currently in consultation with local stakeholders regarding the future of this site. Officers have also been in dialogue with the artists who created Ray and Julie regarding the future of the installation. A decision on the next steps will be taken once all options have been discussed and explored."
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