National Museums Liverpool (NML) has today launched an out of this world programme for Spring/Summer 2022. From a journey through space and time in Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder at World Museum, to the politics, family ties and intrigue of the Tudor court in The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics at the Walker Art Gallery, the organisation is today revealing an action-packed year of exhibitions, displays and projects.
Laura Pye, Director at National Museums Liverpool, said:
“We have created an exciting programme for Spring/Summer 2022 which includes not only blockbuster shows that will get everyone talking, but also powerful displays and projects that reflect local talent and current issues.
“In May, William Brown Street will be a hive of activity as we launch two new major exhibitions, the world premiere of Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder at World Museum and The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics at the Walker Art Gallery. From the Time Lord to a royal dynasty, these two unmissable exhibitions may be very different but have in common the perfect recipe for hit shows, bursting with stories and fascinating objects which truly capture the imagination.
“We’re really pleased that next year’s programme is also an opportunity for us to work with the incredible talent of Liverpool artists with Refractive Pool at the Walker Art Gallery, an exciting exploration of contemporary Liverpool-based painters.
“2022 is a big year for the Lady Lever Art Gallery and we will be marking 100 years of this beautiful venue with a display celebrating the life of the woman it is named after.
“If you’ve ever thought about becoming a member of National Museums Liverpool this is a brilliant year to sign up. From free repeat entry to exhibitions, special members events and other exciting benefits, your support will help ensure we continue to produce exciting exhibitions and care for our collections and venues, preserving their future for everyone.”
Alongside the varied exhibition programme, 2022 will be an important year for NML’s other major projects, working with local, national and international partners. The winner of the Canning Dock competition has recently been announced as a collaboration between architects Asif Khan Studio, Sir David Adjaye OBE, Mariam Kamara and artist Theaster Gates, taking the Waterfront Transformation Project into its next chapter.
Full 2022 programme:
Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder
World Museum
27 May – 30 October 2022
A thrilling new interactive exhibition exploring the world of science within the universe of Doctor Who lands in Liverpool.
From epic monsters to costumes and props, science is brought to life exploring some of the Doctor’s many adventures and encounters through space and time. This world premiere exhibition will see visitors engage with original artefacts, sets and much more – it’s a must-see for any fan of Doctor Who and science enthusiasts too. Journeying through the world of Doctor Who, guests will discover the science that weaves its way through the history of the longest-running sci-fi TV show in the world, which has been on our screens for almost 60 years. Explore the past, present and future of the Earth and the vast reaches of the cosmos in this imaginative new exhibition, presented by Sarner International under license from BBC Studios.
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/doctorwho
TICKETS Members: Free (On -Sale 10am, 13 October) Adults £14 / Concessions £13 / Children 6-17 £8 (On-Sale: 10am, 15 October) Prices listed are starting prices, see online or in-venue for more. Children under the age of 5 go free.
The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics
Walker Art Gallery
21 May – 29 August 2022
Step back in time to the Tudor court and discover the fascinating politics, powerful family connections and unique culture of the most famous royals in history.
The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics presents the five Tudor monarchs: Henry VII; Henry VIII; Edward VI; Mary I; and Elizabeth I – some of the most familiar figures from English history and instantly recognisable in the portraits that have preserved their likenesses for 500 years. The dynasty’s reign over 16th-century England, from 1485 to 1603, encompassed the tumultuous years of the Reformation, a literary renaissance, conflict with Scotland, France and Spain, and conquest and colonisation in Ireland and America.
The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics, showcasing some of the most famous portraits in the National Portrait Gallery Collection, will open at the Walker Art Gallery in May following a display at the Holburne Museum, Bath. The exhibition includes 68 works from the National Portrait Gallery, paintings from the Walker Art Gallery’s collection and a selection of additional loans, including the extraordinary Westminster Tournament Roll (College of Arms, London) and some of the Armada Maps (National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth).
Portraits on display will include the Tudor monarchs, alongside their counsellors and courtiers: Thomas More; Thomas Cromwell; Robert Dudley; William Cecil; and Francis Walsingham. Some of the works included in the exhibition have never been shown outside of London, including a portrait of Jane Seymour, after Hans Holbein the Younger, and the highly unusual Sir Henry Unton portrait.
The exhibition will consider the Tudors from a range of perspectives, spotlighting some historically underrepresented aspects of the period including Black Tudor history and LGBTQ+ history.
A partnership exhibition between National Museums Liverpool, The Holburne Museum Bath and the National Portrait Gallery.
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/tudors
TICKETS Members: Free (On-Sale 10am, 13 October) Adults £13 / Concessions £12 / Children 6-17 £6 (On-Sale: 10am, 15 October) Prices listed are starting prices, see online or in-venue for more. Children under the age of 5 go free.