Black History Month at National Museums Liverpool
This October, National Museums Liverpool is commemorating Black History Month with a series of exhibitions, displays, and events that explore Black heritage, culture, and identity. Under the theme of ‘Reclaiming Narratives,’ these offerings will showcase powerful voices and perspectives too often left unheard.
The Walker Art Gallery: Showcasing Contemporary Black Art
The Walker Art Gallery is hosting several compelling exhibitions that highlight contemporary Black British art:
Conversations (19 October 2023 – 9 March 2025)
Opening during Black History Month, this exhibition brings together nearly 50 leading Black women and non-binary artists. Spanning painting, sculpture, and video from the last decade, the exhibition offers a vibrant snapshot of Black British art. Part of a broader research and collecting project, Conversations aims to address the underrepresentation of Black British women and non-binary artists in the Walker’s collection.
Stitching Souls: Threads of Silence (28 Sep 2024 – 2 Mar 2025)
British-Trinidadian artist Karen McLean presents a moving installation memorialising the victims of the Zong Massacre of 1781. Drawing inspiration from the Walker’s renowned collections, McLean’s work examines Liverpool’s colonial past, particularly its role in the transatlantic slave trade.
Now You See Me: Chris Day (6 Aug 2024 – 24 Nov 2024)
Artist Chris Day’s commission reinterprets Gawen Hamilton’s painting The Card Party. Focusing on the nearly hidden figure of an enslaved Black boy in the painting, Day uses materials like copper piping and wire—tools from his trade as a plumber—within his distinctive glass sculptures.
Carving Out Truths
This community-led research project critically engages with the Walker’s links to slavery, colonialism, and empire. Through a series of permanent interventions in the gallery’s sculpture collection, the project brings previously excluded narratives to the fore.
Sandra Penketh, Executive Director of Collections and Research at National Museums Liverpool, commented:
“This Black History Month, we are excited to present a wide range of exceptional works from Black British artists. These exhibitions encourage us to reflect on the power of art to provoke dialogue, challenge perspectives, and inspire transformation.”
Waterfront Transformation Project: Reimagining Liverpool’s Cultural Landscape
October is also a chance to learn more about the National Museums Liverpool’s Waterfront Transformation Project, an ambitious plan to revitalise the space between the Royal Albert Dock and Mann Island. At the heart of this initiative is the redevelopment of the International Slavery Museum.
The display Where do we go from here? looks at the museum’s journey from its founding in 1994 to the present day, offering visitors an opportunity to contribute their thoughts and memories as the museum enters its next phase. Contemporary art installations among the museum’s historic objects will offer new perspectives on how these artefacts are understood.
You can also sign up for a regular newsletter to stay updated on the project’s efforts to promote inclusion and diversity in heritage.
Emergence as Empowerment: Exploring Liverpool’s Black History
In collaboration with the University of Liverpool, National Museums Liverpool is hosting Emergence as Empowerment on 25 October. This event features a screening of Delado: Rising from the Ashes, a documentary about the aftermath of the 1981 Toxteth Uprisings. The screening will be followed by a live discussion and Q&A with Elliss Eyo-Thompson, Project Facilitator at the International Slavery Museum, and storyteller Kelechi Okafor.
Celebrating Black Scousers at the Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool shines a spotlight on Black Scousers and their many achievements. From the athletic triumphs of Katarina Johnson-Thompson to the musical impact of bands like The Real Thing, free tours will share inspiring stories of local Black figures. These Inspirational Black Scousers tours are available on selected dates throughout October.
Chris Kerfoot, Participation Programme Manager, said:
“We’re proud to highlight the incredible contributions of Black Scousers all year round. Our special Black History Month tours provide a unique opportunity to celebrate their stories and achievements in a fresh way.”
World Museum: Nigerian Art and Heritage
The World Museum has one of the most significant collections of Nigerian art and architecture in the UK. On Saturday 19 October, Rethinking Relationships Discovery Day invites visitors to explore and handle objects from this collection, usually stored away, while learning about a new research and engagement project.
Online Resources and Further Learning
For those who want to explore Black history year-round, National Museums Liverpool offers a wealth of online resources, including articles, videos, and podcasts. These materials are available through their digital hub: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/black-history.
Black History Month at National Museums Liverpool is supported by several organisations, including the Art Fund, Paul Mellon Centre, and Arts Council England.
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