National Museums Liverpool Exhibitions

Beyond the Boundary

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

An exhibition exploring the relationship between cricket, culture, class and politics and how it can be seen as a legacy of British imperialism and colonialism and, paradoxically, as a means of resistance against it.

Beyond the Boundary explores the story of enslavement and oppression of people from the African Diaspora globally, and their deep connections with cricket. Through photographs featuring cricketers such as Viv Richards, Paul Adams and Basil D’Oliveira, the exhibition celebrates contemporary players who, by playing within the boundary of the cricket pitch, broke the boundaries of racial apartheid.

International Slavery Museum
Friday 19 March 2010 to Sunday 12 September 2010

Lewis's fifth floor: a department story

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This brand new exhibition of photography taken in one of the UK's oldest and most iconic department stores reveals a world that has been hidden since the fifth floor was closed to the public in the early 1980s. Local photographer Stephen King has beautifully captured the faded glamour of the hair salon, cafeteria and restaurant which were the epitome of style when they opened on Lewis's fifth floor in the 1950s.

Although the floor now remains empty, it was once a bustling hive of activity. The exhibition includes a series of portraits of current and ex-employees in their original place of work, alongside reminiscences of life at Lewis's during that era. Their presence injects life into the spectral setting of the now deserted floor.

National Conservation Centre
Friday 26 February 2010 to Monday 30 August 2010

Plantastic!

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Discover the secret world of plants in Plantastic!, an exhibition for all the family. Enter a magical realm with giant leafy canopies, massive seed pods, huge root systems and strange man-made trees. Forty exciting interactive displays help explain how we use plants in our daily life and show that plants are essential for the planet’s survival.

An exhibition co-produced by National Museums Liverpool, The Museon (Netherlands), Technopolis, the Flemish Science Centre (Belgium), Bruns (Netherlands) and Le Vaiseau (France).

World Museum Liverpool
Saturday 13 February 2010 to Sunday 5 September 2010

China through the lens of John Thomson 1868 - 1872

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Merseyside Maritime Museum is the first UK venue to show this extensive exhibition of almost 150 photographs by the legendary Scottish photographer and travel writer John Thomson (1837-1921).

The photographs document his journeys through China from 1868 to 1872. Unlike most photographers working in the Far East at that time, Thomson was not a government official, nor a missionary. He was a professional photographer who was fascinated by China. Thomson possessed an open mind and was sensitive to the lives and surroundings of his subjects. He was able to capture people and street life in a most natural way. His photographs therefore form a unique archive documenting 19th century China's landscapes, architecture, people and customs.

Thomson's collection of 650 glass plate negatives is now housed in the Wellcome Library, London. This exhibition of prints from the collection was shown in venues across China in 2009 before coming to Liverpool.

Merseyside Maritime Museum
Friday 5 February 2010 to Sunday 6 June 2010

Aubrey Williams: Atlantic Fire

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Aubrey Williams is an important modern artist whose paintings resist classification. They include influences and elements as diverse as American abstract painting, Amerindian and Mayan symbols, and the music of Shostakovich. Williams' work reflects the meeting of Atlantic and black Atlantic cultures in Europe, the Caribbean, North America and the Americas.

Presented in collaboration with October Gallery, London and the Aubrey Williams Estate. This exhibition is also part of 'Liverpool and the Black Atlantic', a city-wide series of exhibitions and events.

Walker Art Gallery
Friday 15 January 2010 to Sunday 11 April 2010

Hello Sailor! Gay life on the ocean wave

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This small exhibition takes a light hearted, sensitive look at life on board passenger and merchant ships at a time when homosexuality was illegal, and for gay men there were few places to be safe. Personal stories and mementoes give a glimpse of what life was like for gay men at sea.

Originally shown at the Merseyside Maritime Museum, this exhibition has since been on tour around the country. Tour details are on the exhibition homepage.

The exhibition is currently back at the Maritime Museum. Please note that the end date has not been confirmed and may be extended.

Merseyside Maritime Museum
Saturday 12 December 2009 to Wednesday 31 March 2010

The Rise of Women Artists

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Tracking the historical changes influencing women artists, this exhibition explores the similarities and differences between the status and careers of women working in different areas within the fine and decorative arts fields as reflected in the collections of the Walker Art Gallery.

A rich variety of work from both recent and contemporary painters and designers such as Paula Rego, Helen Chadwick, Louise Bourgeois and Alison Britton will be shown alongside historic works drawn from the Gallery’s collections. Includes paintings, prints, textiles and ceramics.

Walker Art Gallery
Friday 23 October 2009 to Sunday 1 August 2010

An Edwardian Family Album

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

An exhibition of personal photographs giving a fascinating insight into the life and leisure time of a middle class family at the beginning of the 20th century.

The family in the photographs are the Urtons of Bebington on the Wirral – Jack, the keen amateur photographer, his wife Biddy, and their young daughters Mary and Lois. They show the family at home and in the garden, relaxing with relatives and friends. Days out to New Brighton and the Wirral coast are recorded, along with trips further afield including excursions into the Derbyshire countryside.

From these pictures we can also learn about the world of the amateur photographer in the early 1900s, and understand more about the significance of the still relatively new medium of photography during that time.

Lady Lever Art Gallery
Friday 23 October 2009 to Monday 3 May 2010

Glass, Metal and Fire

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A small selection of work by Ruth Ball; a well established designer enameller from Southport. Ruth is highly acclaimed for her innovation in enamel as well as her commitment to education work in this specialist area. The display focuses on the various methods of enamelling, demonstrating how traditional techniques can be used in a contemporary way. This includes a new painted piece of the Walker Art Gallery which will become part of the Decorative Art collection. ‘Enamelling’; a ‘how to’ book written by Ruth Ball, will also be on sale in the Walker Art Gallery gift shop.

Walker Art Gallery
Thursday 22 October 2009 to Friday 31 December 2010

Trafficked

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

An exhibition highlighting the ongoing struggle to combat human trafficking around the world, through the experiences of people whose lives have been affected by this modern day slave trade.

Today millions of men, women, and children are being tricked or transported into slavery across the globe. It is the fastest growing form of organised crime and one of the largest money earners for criminals.

It’s not just someone else, somewhere else. It’s happening right here, right now, across the UK.

This exhibition has been put together by the international coalition STOP THE TRAFFIK in partnership with the International Slavery Museum.

International Slavery Museum
Friday 31 July 2009 to Monday 30 August 2010

John Moores Prizewinners 1957-2006

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A rare chance to see a selection of the prestigious competition's past winning art works together in one place.

Walker Art Gallery
Saturday 20 September 2008 to Friday 31 December 2010