Over the course of the last 25 years, using an Olivetti[2] typewriter, Liversidge has created proposals for exhibitions that range from the simple to the impossible.[3] He experiments with what he describes as the "notion of creativity", often realised as objects, performances, or happenings over the course of an exhibition.[4] Liversidge says of his proposals that: "...it's important that some of the proposals are actually realized, but no more so that the others that remain only as text on a piece of A4 paper. In a sense they are all possible and the bookwork that collates the proposals allows the reader to curate their own show, and because of its size and scale the bookwork allows an individual to interact with each of the proposals on their own terms, one to one."[5]
He draws inspiration not just from artists such as On Kawara, Fischli and Weiss, but also from artists such as Joseph Cornell and the Reverend Howard Finster, as well as inveterate tinkerers like his own grandfathers.[6] Liversidge is driven by the generative notion of creativity and the idea that art is most successful when it exists slightly outside of formalist notions of fine art. The physical objects Liversidge produces often include banal, everyday materials that are repurposed or co-opted for his use. His work, as seen in a lot of his proposals, requires the presence of the viewer and their interpretation of the proposals to complete the aesthetic experience.[6]
His performances, such as Gin Stand, Plum Bread and Embossing Bank Notes present the viewers with a piece of work to take away with them.[9] Another aspect of Liversidge's work is sending various objects through the post. "For Peter Liversidge the postal service is also a collaborator in the work. The attached post labels and alterations are like contributions to the piece."[10]
He has also created video projections for the bands Wires Under Tension[11] and Balmorhea.[12] In April 2012, Liversidge created the stage design and projection backdrop for Low at the Royal Festival Hall as a specific proposal.[13] He again worked in collaboration with the band on their 2013 tour, creating the stage design and projection at London's Barbican Centre in April 2013.[14] In October 2014, Liversidge collaborated with musicians Julia Kent and Rachel Grimes on 11 new compositions to mark the end of his exhibition, dopplegänger, at The MAC in Belfast.[15]
In 2015, Liversidge created the cover for the album Ones and Sixes by the band Low.[16] He worked with the band again to create the cover for their 2018 album Double Negative.[17]
For the opening of the Tate Modern extension in June 2016, Liversidge presented a choral piece for 500 singers.[18]
