Joe Lycett’s first major art exhibition is opening in Birmingham celebrating nostalgia in a very unique way
Joe Lycett’s first major art exhibition is opening in Birmingham and it’s celebrating nostalgia in a very unique way
Birmingham Museums has announced that it is hosting the first major solo exhibition of art by comedian Joe Lycett.
Over the last twelve months Lycett has been busy producing works that celebrate nostalgia, grief and loss, the trust said.
Joe has explored the theme of ‘things that are no longer with us’ and been inspired by objects from the city of Birmingham’s collection.
And the result is an ambitious mixed media exhibition titled: EVERY THING MUST GO.
It will bring together dozens of never-seen-before pieces which will be on display at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in July with one artwork featuring a cheeky not to Snobs nightclub.
The exhibition will include subjects such as deceased celebrities, discontinued chocolate bars, extinct animals and destroyed buildings, presented in Lycett’s usual tongue-in-cheek and childlike style, the museums trust said.
“The bold salon display of Lycett’s latest paintings filling the gallery walls will reflect on memory and cultural change through humour, a striking visual approach and distinctly Brummie perspective,” a spokesperson said.
Joe previously exhibited his painting ‘The Mona Lisa Scott-Lee’ featuring pop star Lisa Scott-Lee at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in late 2024 and early 2025 as part of a tour to promote his book ‘Joe Lycett’s Art Hole’.
His work has also appeared in the Royal Academy of Arts, National Portrait Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery, Ikon Gallery, MAC Birmingham, Bristol Arnolfini and Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Speaking about the new exhibition, Joe said: “I’m honoured and delighted to be exhibiting in the superb Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, right in the centre of the best city in the world. I'm hoping to create a sort of neon graveyard which will overwhelm, delight and confuse gallery-goers. Expect colourful and silly depictions of loads of dead stuff.”
Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Joe Lycett back to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery with this major new exhibition.
“His unique artistic style, combined with his deep connection to Birmingham, makes this a truly special project. Visitors can expect something visually spectacular, thought-provoking and full of personality.”
The exhibition opens to the public at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery on Wednesday, July 29 and general admission will be free of charge.
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