11 WAYS TO AVOID THE WORLD CUP!
If football frenzy bores you, head to a museum or gallery!
Images available on request.
Escape endless World Cup football and discover your local museums and galleries! National Museums Liverpool has plenty of exhibitions to distract you from the football frenzy.
Here are 11 cultural players to keep you entertained this summer:
It’s a game of two halves at the Walker Art Gallery with two premier exhibitions. On one side is an epic tale of human nature and social constructs in current exhibition, Grayson Perry: The Vanity of Small Differences (until 10 August 2014). Perry’s six tapestries explore British taste and offer a fascinating snap-shot of modern Britain. That celebrity chef cook book or Cath Kidston bag you own will take on new symbolism after seeing this captivating exhibition.
The second half sees the prestigious John Moores Painting Prize 2014 open on 5 July. Part of the Liverpool Biennial, John Moores brings together an eclectic array of art from 50 artists whose work is united only by their common use of paint.
Merseyside Maritime Museum kicks off the summer with new exhibition, Sail Away: Liverpool Shipping Posters (until 4 October 2015) featuring 12 vintage shipping posters dating from 1888-1980. They record the style, elegance and glamour of a bygone era when ocean liners were the only way to travel.
If you’ve got added time, why not explore the Maritime’s other exhibition, Titanic and Liverpool: the untold story which explores Liverpool’s central role in the Titanic story with previously unseen collections of international significance.
Indulge your romantic side at the world class Lady Lever Art Gallery’s new exhibition, Rossetti’s Obsession: Images of Jane Morris (from 20 June -21 September 2014). Jane, who was wife to William Morris, was treated with obsessional intensity by Rossetti and was cast into many different roles by the Pre-Raphaelite artist. The exhibition features compelling examples of this pictorial obsession together with contrasting examples of Jane as herself, reflecting her interests beyond modelling.
The Museum of Liverpool promises a beautiful game with fascinating exhibition, April Ashley: Portrait of a lady, (until 21 September 2014). Liverpool born April was one of the first people in the world to undergo pioneering gender reassignment surgery. This exhibition explores the former Vogue model and actress’s life through her previously unseen personal archive.
Also at the Museum of Liverpool is From There to Here (until 13 July 2014); an exhibition by Liverpool performing arts company, Wicked Fish. It explores the hidden history of people with learning difficulties in Merseyside.
At the International Slavery Museum:
Brutal Exposure: the Congo (until 7 September 2014) is an exhibition of photographs taken by missionary Alice Seeley Harris which document the exploitation and brutality in the Congo Free State in the early 1900s. The images formed one of the first ever human rights campaigns. This exhibition is a partnership project between Autograph ABP, National Museums Liverpool and Anti-Slavery International.
Their Spirits (until 7 September 2014) is a stunning exhibition by internationally acclaimed Jamaican artist, Laura Facey. The central installation is a five metre long slave ship canoe which contains more than 1,300 resin miniature figurines. The canoe conjures up images of Antony Gormley’s clay figures or the Chinese Terracotta Army.
A third exhibition Liberty bound: Slavery and St Helena (until April 2015) explores finds from the ‘liberated’ African cemetery on the remote south Atlantic island. This exhibition has been funded by the St Helena government and is the first ever to look at the recently discovered graveyards of 'liberated' Africans in Rupert’s Valley on the island.
Sudley House offers the perfect retreat from World Cup chaos with 20th Century Chic: 100 years of women’s fashion. Learn how women’s social change was reflected fashion changes over last century in this exhibition which features 12 evening dresses spanning the 20th century.
Notes to editors:
Merseyside Maritime Museum:
Titanic and Liverpool: the untold story is part of the National Museums Liverpool’s Liverpool and the World exhibition series part-funded by the European Union - the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Walker Art Gallery
Both The Vanity of Small Differences and John Moores Painting Prize are part of National Museums Liverpool's Modern Masters series, part funded by the European Union - the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
About National Museums Liverpool
National Museums Liverpool comprises eight venues. Our collections are among the most important and varied in Europe and contain everything from Impressionist paintings and rare beetles to a lifejacket from the Titanic.
We attract more than 2.7 million visitors every year. Our venues are the International Slavery Museum, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Merseyside Maritime Museum, Museum of Liverpool, Sudley House, Border Force National Museum, Walker Art Gallery and World Museum.
Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool is the largest newly-built national museum in Britain for more than a century, demonstrating Liverpool’s unique contribution to the world. As the first national museum devoted to the history of a regional city, it showcases popular culture while tackling social, historical and contemporary issues and is a fantastic, free family day out. The prestigious Council of Europe Museum Prize for 2013 was awarded to the Museum for its commitment to human rights as well as its work with children and families from all backgrounds.
The Museum has received generous support from several major funders, along with grants from trusts and foundations, corporate support and individual donations. Major funders include the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS),Garfield Weston Foundation and the Clore Duffield Foundation.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) was responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England’s Northwest and had five key priorities: Business, Skills and Education, People and Jobs, Infrastructure and Quality of Life.
The European Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference to people and businesses in the North West. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment. ERDF in the North West is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government – for further information visit https://www.gov.uk/erdf-regional-guidance-north-west
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects allocating £4.5billion across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk
Website liverpoolmuseums.org.uk