Born in Liverpool, he was apprenticed as a welder at Birkenhead Shipyards, worked at Dunlop's Speke factory and as a cleaner at St. Martin's School of Art, London, before turning to sculpture. In 1953 he attended sculpture classes at St Martin's School and held his first show in 1962, at St. Martin's Gallery, London.

A sculptor of religious subjects, he usually worked in bronze or scrap metal, and produced work for churches in England, Spain and Latin America.

Also a member of the Communist Party, he was commissioned to design and execute La Pasionaria, for Custom House Quay, Glasgow (1971-7), as a memorial to the Glasgow volunteers who fought in the International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-9.

Born in Liverpool, he was apprenticed as a welder at Birkenhead Shipyards, worked at Dunlop's Speke factory and as a cleaner at St. Martin's School of Art, London, before turning to sculpture. In 1953 he attended sculpture classes at St Martin's School and held his first show in 1962, at St. Martin's Gallery, London.

A sculptor of religious subjects, he usually worked in bronze or scrap metal, and produced work for churches in England, Spain and Latin America.

Also a member of the Communist Party, he was commissioned to design and execute La Pasionaria, for Custom House Quay, Glasgow (1971-7), as a memorial to the Glasgow volunteers who fought in the International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-9.

I knew his sister Doreen. He lived near us. He had a studio in Quarry St Woolton, a converted pub.

I knew his sister Doreen. He lived near us. He had a studio in Quarry St Woolton, a converted pub.

Cool :celb (23):

Cool :celb (23):

I hadn't seen his sister Doreen for years, and met Arthur. I asked him, "how is Doreen?". He asnswered in a dead pan way. "she's dead". What a downer.

One of Arthur Dooley's works is on view in Paddy's Wigwam

Christ Risen
http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/christrisen1.jpg

Born in Liverpool, he was apprenticed as a welder at Birkenhead Shipyards, worked at Dunlop's Speke factory and as a cleaner at St. Martin's School of Art, London, before turning to sculpture. In 1953 he attended sculpture classes at St Martin's School and held his first show in 1962, at St. Martin's Gallery, London.

A sculptor of religious subjects, he usually worked in bronze or scrap metal, and produced work for churches in England, Spain and Latin America.

Also a member of the Communist Party, he was commissioned to design and execute La Pasionaria, for Custom House Quay, Glasgow (1971-7), as a memorial to the Glasgow volunteers who fought in the International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-9.
Kev, talking of Dunlop's Speke factory, guess where I found this fire engine by chance? 2 miles away from our house, stuck in a garden centre. How strange is that, 180 miles from Liverpool:eek:
http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/dunlopfire.jpg

Kev, talking of Dunlop's Speke factory, guess where I found this fire engine by chance? 2 miles away from our house, stuck in a garden centre. How strange is that, 180 miles from Liverpool:eek:
http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/dunlopfire.jpg

A Commer TS3 opposed piston diesel two stroke - one of the finest engines ever made. The power to weight ration was supperb. They did 15mpg, while other trucks of the same HP did half as much. This had a supercharger and sounded like nothing else. As a kid I would sit at the top of Warwick St and Mill St waiting for them to come up the hill full laden from the docks, making this wonderful sound. Nothing ever sounded like it. Ask them to start it up and drive it.

Something wrong here, I'm agreeing with Waterways. He is right, it was a fantastic engine and way ahead of its time. It did produce as much horsepower as some engines twice as big, but was a bit weak on torque, they tended to lose out when fully loaded going up hill, no problem if you were good with a crash gearbox though.

Born in Liverpool, he was apprenticed as a welder at Birkenhead Shipyards, worked at Dunlop's Speke factory and as a cleaner at St. Martin's School of Art, London, before turning to sculpture. In 1953 he attended sculpture classes at St Martin's School and held his first show in 1962, at St. Martin's Gallery, London.

A sculptor of religious subjects, he usually worked in bronze or scrap metal, and produced work for churches in England, Spain and Latin America.

Also a member of the Communist Party, he was commissioned to design and execute La Pasionaria, for Custom House Quay, Glasgow (1971-7), as a memorial to the Glasgow volunteers who fought in the International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-9.
Kev, 11 hours ago I posted a detailed repy to your article above about Arthur with lots of information about my aquaintance with Arthur Dooley. It vanished when I submitted it. have you any idea what happened? If it was wiped clear of your database I will write it again, if I have to. Its very interesing in a positive and informing way about a great liverpool artist. Arthur Dooley. Help George Roberts. Can you find it in your archives? Please let me know asap. Thanks.

Nice picture of the Fire Engine! My Uncle used to work for Dunlop's I would guess in the 60's, and has plenty of stories from the building that used to be there and the surrounding area's including the old Airport too!

From the BBC Website:

Arthur Dooley studio
By Paul Coslett
A new home is being sought for Liverpool Academy of Arts which contains the untouched studio of the late local sculptor Arthur Dooley. . .

Full Story (http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/11/15/arthur_dooley_studio_feature.shtml)

Born in Liverpool, he was apprenticed as a welder at Birkenhead Shipyards, worked at Dunlop's Speke factory and as a cleaner at St. Martin's School of Art, London, before turning to sculpture. In 1953 he attended sculpture classes at St Martin's School and held his first show in 1962, at St. Martin's Gallery, London.

A sculptor of religious subjects, he usually worked in bronze or scrap metal, and produced work for churches in England, Spain and Latin America.

Also a member of the Communist Party, he was commissioned to design and execute La Pasionaria, for Custom House Quay, Glasgow (1971-7), as a memorial to the Glasgow volunteers who fought in the International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-9.
I hold fond memories of Arthur Dooley living next door but one to me at 58 Huskisson Street, forging the commision for the 'wigwam' the Catholic Cathedral.
He shared accomodation at that address with Alan Williams, Alans Chinese wife and her brother. They took the silver beatles on their first trip outside liverpool. (Alan was the Beatles first promoter, bar Bob Wooler).
One such vivid memory of Arthur, is having a heated political discussion with him at the basement of, 'hope hall' now the Everyman Theater.
The only time Arthur, 'shut up for more than a minute'. was when we both heard the news on the bar radio annoucing the assasination of JFK.
Arthur Dooley was a great scouser who is sadly missed. George Roberts.

just came across this site, googling arthur ... i worked for him as a young man on leaving school. He was at a the Black Horse in Woolton then. ..... a wonderful formative experience. A big man in every sense of the word: character, ideas, explosive creative energy, but also a very kind and thoughtful man of natural consideration. Deserves a more prominent place in the nation's affection; och, i could go on for ever about the man!

just came across this site, googling arthur ... i worked for him as a young man on leaving school. He was at a the Black Horse in Woolton then. ..... a wonderful formative experience. A big man in every sense of the word: character, ideas, explosive creative energy, but also a very kind and thoughtful man of natural consideration. Deserves a more prominent place in the nation's affection; och, i could go on for ever about the man!


Thanks, Steve. That's a great reminiscence. Thanks for contributing and welcome to our site!

Chris

Hi - can anyone throw light on the brass fishes that Arthur Dooley created in 1972?

I have 3 of them and was given them when I was working in Manchester but don't know a lot about them apart from that they were made to raise funds (I think) to support a strike.

Any information greatly appreciated :)

Thanks

Hi - can anyone throw light on the brass fishes that Arthur Dooley created in 1972?

I have 3 of them and was given them when I was working in Manchester but don't know a lot about them apart from that they were made to raise funds (I think) to support a strike.

Any information greatly appreciated :)

Thanks


Sorry, can't help. Knew Arthur Dooley though. He was in the army with my Uncle Charlie, who was a wood carver and sculptor. In the 60's they had a basement studio together in Slater St. Often went there as it fascinated me.

In about 1967 Arthur has a joint exhibition of his work with that of L. S. Lowry; it was held in the Catholic Chaplaincy in Liverpool (my Uncle Charlie got me two tickets) The only drinks on offer were Captain Morgan Rum or Champagne. Always seemed an odd mix to me and I've never forgotten it.

Wish I'd been old enough to have a better appreciation of their work.

I saw an item about Arthur Dooley on the Antiques Roadshow , so I looked him up .
Initially I thought there might have been an ancestral connection as I thought they said "Doolin" . (I guess there still could be a connection) .

When I read the details about Arthur it mentioned that he had been a member of the Liverpool or Birkenhead Communist Party .
Does anyone have any information about this branch of the CP ?
My great uncle , Cyril Sharp , was said to have been a member . He lived in Birkenhead . (His mother was Mary Ellen Doolin). If this is right then he would probably have joined after WW1 and he died in 1943 .

Does anyone know where I could find this information ?
Regards,
Linden

When I read the details about Arthur it mentioned that he had been a member of the Liverpool or Birkenhead Communist Party .Regards,
Linden

Bet that went down well when he was in the Irish Guards and on duty outside Buckingham Palace!

Hi - can anyone throw light on the brass fishes that Arthur Dooley created in 1972?

I have 3 of them and was given them when I was working in Manchester but don't know a lot about them apart from that they were made to raise funds (I think) to support a strike.

Any information greatly appreciated :)

Thanks


Hello Paul

I don't have full information for you although I see that such a Arthur Dooley fish sculpture was recently advertised on eBay in a listing since removed (http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:7OEj3io9OKcJ:art.listings.ebay.co.u k/Sculptures_Modern-1900-1979_W0QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ2QQlopgZ5QQsacatZ72177QQsocm dZListingItemList+%22Arthur+Dooley%22+%22bronze+fi sh%22+sculptor&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us) and it was described as a "bronze fish." It looks like the asking price was £29.99 which I assume might not have been realized. I hope this helps.

Chris

There's a Wikipedia page on Liverpool sculptor Arthur Dooley (1929–1994) at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Dooley

Chris

I only saw him once in a pub called O'Connors, just around the corner from Liverpool College of art foundation course. He was having a brilliant fight with Arthur Ballard, who was the head of the foundation course.
I can't say who won the fight but it did go on for quite a while. The fight was over something to do with Art.

Archive created for city sculptor

An archive is being created to help promote the work of Liverpool sculptor Arthur Dooley.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44400000/jpg/_44400839_dooley.203.jpg
Dooley was a member of the
Communist Party

Residents of the city are being urged to contribute artwork and memories of the sculptor to the project at the Liverpool Academy of Arts.

His most famous work, in the city's Mathew Street, depicts the Madonna and the Beatles with the inscription Four lads who shook the world.

Dooley, who died in 1994 aged 65, was a welder before becoming a sculptor.

He made many religious works including the Risen Christ in Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral, The Resurrection of Christ at Princes Park Methodist Church in Toxteth and a Madonna and Child at St Faith's Church in Crosby.

The academy, which already houses his papers and final studio, is using a Heritage Lottery grant to fund the project.

Source: BBC NEWS | Merseyside (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7225075.stm)

Archive created for city sculptor

Dooley was a member of the Communist Party
An archive is being created to help promote the work of Liverpool sculptor Arthur Dooley.
Residents of the city are being urged to contribute artwork and memories of the sculptor to the project at the Liverpool Academy of Arts.

His most famous work, in the city's Mathew Street, depicts the Madonna and the Beatles with the inscription Four lads who shook the world.

Dooley, who died in 1994 aged 65, was a welder before becoming a sculptor.

He made many religious works including the Risen Christ in Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral, The Resurrection of Christ at Princes Park Methodist Church in Toxteth and a Madonna and Child at St Faith's Church in Crosby.

The academy, which already houses his papers and final studio, is using a Heritage Lottery grant to fund the project.

Except for the communist part, good achievements.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Hi - can anyone throw light on the brass fishes that Arthur Dooley created in 1972?

I have 3 of them and was given them when I was working in Manchester but don't know a lot about them apart from that they were made to raise funds (I think) to support a strike.

Any information greatly appreciated :)

Thanks

In 1972 the fisher bendix factory at kirkby was one of the last "british" washing machine manufacturers. It was I believe taken over by Japanese industries with the sole intention of closing it down and making over 1000 workers unemployed. The workers rushed the gates and took over the factory. They had a work in, continuing to make the machines and appealing to the labour government to stop the factory closure. Security and police attempted to retake the factory and a siege began. Family and supporters managed to get food over the fence so the locked in workers could continue, with the authorities trying to starve them out. Arthur Dooley designed and cast 100 of the Fisher bendix fish. and stood at the factory gate selling them and donating the money to the workers cause. It is believed the fish was chosen by Dooley as related by the parable of Jesus feeding the masses with fishes and loaves. I own fish number 63 which was bought from Dooley at the factory gate.
Hardydog.

In 1972 the fisher bendix factory at kirkby was one of the last "british" washing machine manufacturers. It was I believe taken over by Japanese industries with the sole intention of closing it down and making over 1000 workers unemployed. The workers rushed the gates and took over the factory. They had a work in, continuing to make the machines and appealing to the labour government to stop the factory closure. Security and police attempted to retake the factory and a siege began. Family and supporters managed to get food over the fence so the locked in workers could continue, with the authorities trying to starve them out. Arthur Dooley designed and cast 100 of the Fisher bendix fish. and stood at the factory gate selling them and donating the money to the workers cause. It is believed the fish was chosen by Dooley as related by the parable of Jesus feeding the masses with fishes and loaves. I own fish number 63 which was bought from Dooley at the factory gate.
Hardydog.

Absolutely brilliant!!!! That was Arthur!!!! People like him make the world go around.