Current exhibitions

‘An Alphabet’ is a display of 26 silkscreen prints and shows Sir Peter Blake's fascination with letters, fonts and typography.

Peter Blake incorporates imagery from popular culture into his work, including comic books, consumer goods and advertisements. In this display you can find anything from a poem about Leopards (in 'L'), to images of Father Christmas (in 'X').

There is a childlike quality to ‘An Alphabet’ that has its roots in Peter’s own childhood, which was disrupted by the Second World War when he was evacuated.

Peter Blake is perhaps most well known for designing the cover of The Beatles' album 'Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band' (1967). He is one of the most influential painters in the UK and a leading figure in British Pop Art.

Peter Blake is also the first patron of the John Moores Painting Prize.

This exhibition is on loan from the Paul Stolper Gallery, London.

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This display in the Craft and Design Gallery highlights the original fashions of the 1970s, currently enjoying a revival on the high street.

Discover some of the most influential 'looks' of that decade, from the simple country styles of Laura Ashley, through the sophisticated evening wear of John Bates, to the glamour of disco.

More about the Feathercuts and Flares exhibition

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Image by Alistair Muir

If you've ever wanted to see some of Lily Savage's fabulous frocks up close then this is your chance! Savage Style will feature a selection of outfits worn by the acid-tongued alter ego of comedian and television presenter Paul O’Grady, on display for the first time.

There will be 7 dresses and outfits on display, worn by Lily in her many different guises, including host of television game show Blankety Blank, star of pantomime and all round fashion icon.

You can also see 4 outfits on display at the Museum of Liverpool.

Lily’s Birkenhead-born creator, Paul O’Grady, ‘retired’ the famous ‘blonde bombsite’ to a French convent in 2004, but she’s back in this display, bigger and brassier than ever !

Part of Liverpool's Homotopia festival.

Image: Productions shot by Alistair Muir from the Michael Rose Ltd 2010 production of Aladdin at The Mayflower, Southampton.

Find out more about Savage Style: costumes from Lily's wardrobe

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We are proud to present an exhibition of art books by one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, Henri Matisse (1869-1954), on public display for the first time in the UK.

The exhibition comprises 63 framed original illustrations with text from four of Matisse’s most significant books, including his famous 'Jazz' (1947), one of the most celebrated artists’ books in the history of modern art.

These works are part of Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s extensive art collection, and have been loaned to the Gallery through the company’s Art in our Communities ® programme as part of a commitment to share its artworks with the wider public.

Also on display will be a number of artists’ books from the Walker Art Gallery's permanent collection by artists such as Ed Ruscha, Derek Boshier, Gilbert & George, Tom Phillips and Jeff Nuttall.

Image: 'Icare' ('Icarus'), plate VIII of XX from the illustrated book Jazz, 1947, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Collection. © Succession H. Matisse/DACS 2011

Find out more about The Art Books of Henri Matisse

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Head (1993) © John Kirby, courtesy of Flowers, London

This exhibition is the first major retrospective of the work of John Kirby, an important contemporary artist who was born and grew up in Liverpool.

His paintings and sculpture reflect the complexities of gender, religion, sexual orientation and race, and his distinctive style draws on deeply personal subject matter.

This exhibition is developed in partnership with Flowers Gallery, London.

Find out more about The Living and the Dead: Paintings and sculpture by John Kirby

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Detail of Titian's 'Diana and Actaeon'

The Walker Art Gallery is the first of three venues throughout the UK that will display the painting 'Diana and Actaeon' by Italian Renaissance master Titian.

The painting is considered amongst Titian's greatest works and portrays the moment in which the goddess Diana meets Actaeon.

This display is brought to the Walker Art Gallery by the National Gallery, who support regional galleries by touring works where they have not been seen before. The painting will continue its tour and visit Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery and National Museum Cardiff.

Zoom in and explore the detail of this painting here.

Find out about free talks exploring 'Diana and Actaeon' here.

Image: Detail of Titian's 'Diana and Actaeon', 1556-9. Bought jointly by the National Gallery and National Galleries of Scotland with contributions from the Scottish Government, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, The Monument Trust, The Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation) and through public appeal, 2009 © The National Gallery, London.