Join the evening for an exclusive first look at Bluecoat’s new exhibitions as part of their current season But Does it Speak?.
Thu 3 Apr, 6-8pm
Joanne Masding and Rowena Harris will continue the season with their exhibitions The Moveable Scene of the Page and Long-Covid and the Culture of Disbelief. Showing alongside is Veronica Watson, who presents a series of portraits in their upstairs gallery.
Free, drop in
Beauty On Paper is an exhibition of drawings on paper created by Wirral based artist, Daniel Halsall.
The works’ subject matter is the classical female form, taking inspiration from artists such as Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Henri Matisse. Daniel’s interest in these artists’ work is the way they captured clothing and textiles to add colour and vibrancy to their works.
Daniel has been the in-house artist for Gondwana Records since 2008, working on many album covers and design based projects. He likes to bring over into the artworks what he learned in his design career, and vice versa from his graphic work into his fine art practices.
This show has been made through collaboration with models: Liverpool based potter, Annie Moon and Liverpool musician, Rosa.
The 13th edition of Liverpool Biennial, titled ‘BEDROCK’, will take place 7 June – 14 September 2025, curated by Marie-Anne McQuay.
The theme draws on Liverpool’s distinctive geography and the beliefs which underpin the city. It is inspired by the sandstone which spans the city region and is found in its distinctive architecture. ‘BEDROCK’ also acts as a metaphor for the social foundations of Liverpool and the people, places and values that ground all of us. 30 artists and collectives will respond to the theme of the 13th edition.
Liverpool Biennial is the UK’s largest free festival of contemporary visual art. Taking place in historic buildings, unexpected spaces and art galleries, the Biennial has been transforming the city through art for over two decades. A dynamic programme of free exhibitions, performances, screenings, community and learning activities and fringe events unfolds over 14 weeks, shining a light on the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
‘BEDROCK’ draws on Liverpool’s distinctive geography and the beliefs which underpin the city. It is inspired by the sandstone which spans the city region and is found in its distinctive architecture. ‘BEDROCK’ also acts as a metaphor for the unique social foundations of Liverpool, haunted by empire, and the people, places and values that ground us.
Taking over historic buildings, unexpected spaces and art galleries, Liverpool Biennial – the UK’s largest free festival of contemporary visual art – has been transforming the city through art for over two decades. A dynamic programme of free exhibitions, performances, community and learning activities, and fringe events unfolds over 14 weeks, shining a light on the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
New venues and sites announced today (25 March 2025) for the 13th edition include 20 Jordan Street located in the city’s Baltic Triangle, Pine Court, the heritage site of Pine Court Housing Association in the heart of Chinatown, and The Black-E, Liverpool’s pioneering arts and community centre, which join venues such as Bluecoat, FACT Liverpool, Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool Central Library, Open Eye Gallery, Tate Liverpool + RIBA North and Walker Art Gallery.
A series of outdoor works are set to be installed at sites across the city including Liverpool ONE, Mann Island, St John’s Gardens and the grounds of The Oratory at Liverpool Cathedral.
Click here to register for Liverpool Biennial 2025 Previews – Registration is open until 30 May.
The participating artists for Liverpool Biennial 2025 are:
Alice Rekab (Ireland/Sierra Leone); Amber Akaunu (UK/Nigeria); Amy Claire Mills (Australia); Ana Navas (Venezuela/Ecuador/Netherlands); Anna Gonzalez Noguchi (Spain/Japan/UK); Antonio Jose Guzman & Iva Jankovic (Netherlands/Panama/Serbia); Cevdet Erek (Turkey); ChihChung Chang 張致中(Taiwan/Netherlands); Christine Sun Kim (USA); DARCH (India/Somaliland/Wales); Dawit L. Petros (Eritrea/Canada/USA); Elizabeth Price (UK); Fred Wilson (USA); Hadassa Ngamba (Democratic Republic of the Congo/Belgium); Imayna Caceres (Peru/Austria); Isabel Nolan (Ireland); Jennifer Tee (Netherlands); Kara Chin (UK/Singapore); Karen Tam 譚嘉文(Canada); Katarzyna Perlak (Poland/UK); Leasho Johnson (USA/Jamaica); Linda Lamignan (Nigeria/Norway); Maria Loizidou (Cyprus); Mounira Al Solh (Lebanon); Nandan Ghiya (India); Nour Bishouty (Lebanon/Jordan/Palestine/Canada); Odur Ronald (Uganda); Petros Moris (Greece); Sheila Hicks (France/USA); Widline Cadet (Haiti/USA).
Celebrating Liverpool’s iconic architecture and public spaces, a series of newly commissioned outdoor artworks will be installed at sites across the city centre.
Alice Rekab presents a multi-city billboard project in Liverpool and Edinburgh, in partnership with EAF25 (Edinburgh Art Festival). In Liverpool, the work is co-created with students from The City of Liverpool College through a series of workshops. Displayed throughout Liverpool ONE, these collaborative works explore experiences of race, migration and belonging. Meanwhile at Bluecoat, the artist presents a multi-layered gallery installation titled ‘Bunchlann/Buncharriag’ (Irish Gaelic for ‘Origin Family’ or ‘Bedrock’).
Anna Gonzalez-Noguchi presents a modular sculpture at Mann Island, inspired by the historical import of ‘foreign’ plants into Liverpool. The three towers, constructed out of metal and reflective materials, incorporate seating, spinning elements and tubular structures engraved with records of the city’s botanical collections.
Isabel Nolan presents a steel and concrete sculpture in St John’s Gardens, supported by Art Fund. The design is inspired by a drawing of a stained-glass window held in the St Nicholas Pro-Cathedral archive and the leadwork in the windows of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral’s Lutyens Crypt. Painting and textiles by the artist are also shown at the Walker Art Gallery.
A selection from Petros Moris’ ‘ALONE’ series of mosaic sculptures referencing an abandoned playground and his parent’s own mosaic studio, will be exhibited in the grounds of The Oratory at Liverpool Cathedral, as well as at Bluecoat and Walker Art Gallery.
Further works will be exhibited across the city on streets, shop fronts, hoardings and other unexpected places:
Anna Gonzalez-Noguchi – Eurochemist, Berry Street
ChihChung Chang 張致中 – Chinatown
Kara Chin – Berry Street
Odur Ronald – SEVENSTORE, Jamaica Street
Join us for an captivating evening with renowned artist Luke Jerram as he shares insights into his work, including the creation of Helios, the breathtaking installation illuminating Liverpool Cathedral.
Following the talk, the artist will be signing copies of his new book, available for purchase in the Cathedral Shop.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from one of the UK’s renowned artists and take home a signed copy of his new publication!
Hazy Magazine will be celebrating the release of Hazy Issue #4, a publication involving creatives from the UK & Germany, through a launch night at Boxpark Liverpool.
Hazy Magazine Issue #4 will be for sale at the event and will be available for pre-order through our Big Cartel website in the coming weeks, alongside other Hazy Magazine Products. There will also be a curated photography & art exhibition featuring work from creatives involved in Issue #4, alongside live performances from DJ Amber Rose and rapper Eze who feature in this issue.
Bar will be open for the duration of the event and food stalls will also be open at the beginning.
If you want to physically connect to creativity and network with other creatives, then this is not an event to miss. There will be limited copies of Hazy Magazine Issue #4 available on the night so make sure you get yours before they’re all gone!
Learn about designing trendy bag key chains by creating a character with recycled fabrics to take home with you!
Sat 29 Mar, 11am – 12:30pm & 1.30-3pm
Free, booking required
For young people aged 14-18
Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is set to return to Liverpool this summer after attracting an amazing 60,000 visitors during its UK premiere in the city in 2024.
The unmissable multimedia experience will be at the waterfront Exhibition Centre Liverpool from Tuesday 15th July to Sunday 3rd August.
And city art lovers will also become the first in the country to enjoy a stunning new immersive show, Beyond Monet, receiving its UK premiere in Liverpool and which brings the works of the ‘Father of Impressionism’ to life in mesmerising fashion.
Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet will be staged on different days throughout the three-week run at the landmark waterfront venue.
Masding’s playful exhibition investigates how images, objects and words link together. Through a combination of sculpture, fictional writing and typography, Masding transforms the gallery into a space where language can mingle, collide and flow.
Following on from her 2024 book, Body of Pieces, the exhibition at the Bluecoat presents new writing by Masding and follows her strategy of using fiction to explore the nature of objects, their physical properties and how they relate to us. Masding describes writing as a ‘sculpting tool’ allowing her to defy the laws of physics and go inside objects. In the gallery, visitors will explore sculptures made from metal, ceramic, plaster and shimmering textiles which are suspended from a series of elongated copper sculptures. Pages of Masding’s new works of fiction will hang from these copper frames, for visitors to tear off and read.
The Moveable Scene of the Page also features Masding’s new alphabet sculptures, inspired by, and in the shape of Monster Munch crisps. This novel new typeface is formed by extrusion; a means of forcing soft material through a hole in a flat disc. Monster Munch is made using the same technique, but as this tube of material comes through the extruder it is sliced into individual, flat claw shapes. Masding’s ceramic letters become poetic sculptures, with phrases like “tongue tripping over a glazed ceramic marble” suggesting a collision of words and objects in our own bodies.
When working between the disciplines of writing, sculpture and performance, Masding is often thinking about translation, and how the essence of an object can change. When a drawing is made of a bunch of grapes, it is translated into a flat image and some information is lost (the weight) but something is also gained (small details are highlighted). When that image or artwork is written about, it is translated again into letters and spoken language.
Through her work, Masding gives us the opportunity to look closer at this translation process. She suggests that art is often a task of slowing the world down, and holding it in place so we can take a closer look. When we produce a drawing or take a photograph of something, we fix that object in place and study it. Masding’s work seeks to fix the act of translation in place, giving us the chance to slow down and examine the process.
Fri 4 Apr – Sun 11 May
Free entry
Spend a relaxing afternoon in Sudley House Art Gallery learning a new skill and getting to know new people. In this session they will be creating unique artworks using the technique of paint mixing and pouring to create truly unique pieces.
Their friendly facilitator will guide you through the process to create a selection of smaller and larger artworks for you to take home.
There is no need to have any experience, just bring yourself and some enthusiasm. Whilst your works are drying they will take the opportunity to head to the café for a chat. You never know, you might leave with a new friend as well as a new artwork!
This session is perfect for adults over the age of 18 who are interested and inspired to continue making art. Your £20 ticket includes materials, a facilitator and a hot drink in the café.
Please note that it may take a while for your works to dry and so it may be necessary for you to return to Sudley House later that week to collect your pieces.
This session is perfect for adults over the age of 18 who are interested and inspired to continue making art.
Tickets are £20 and includes materials, facilitator, and a hot drink in the café.
Join Bluecoat to create block print postcards using pre-made designs, meet fellow artists, and learn more about Bluecoat’s growing print community. Whether you’re a seasoned printmaker or simply looking to get involved, this session is for everyone. No experience necessary—come solo or with friends, have a go, and take home your own printed postcard.
Tue 3 Jun, 5.30-7pm
It’s also a great chance to chat with their Print Studio Manager and find out more about their open-access studio, courses, and workshops.
Free, booking required