Recommendations

Blockbuster exhibitions in the North

The Holly Johnson Story at Museum of Liverpool

Planning a cultural day out in the North of England? From a celebration of an 80s music icon to a deep-dive into radical women artists, don't miss the biggest exhibitions open now.

Beyond its stunning scenery, the North of England has a vibrant creative landscape. Whether you're interested in contemporary art or history, learning about the most famous artists or discovering emerging stars, there's an exhibition on offer for every cultural appetite.

From visitor favourites such as Wakefield's Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery to historic places like Kendal's Abbot Hall and York's Castle Howard, a rolling programme of must-see exhibitions runs throughout the year.

Here's our guide to some of the biggest blockbuster exhibitions in the North open now.


Don't forget to pack your National Art Pass to get great benefits at every venue, and check out our full listings for more upcoming exhibitions.

Discover some of the best exhibitions in the North of England with an Art Pass

01
Gina Birch, 3 Minute Scream, 1977

Women in Revolt! Art and Activism in the UK 1970-1990

Discover over 100 radical and rebellious women artists who were working in the UK between 1970 and 1990, and who made invaluable contributions to British culture and the women's liberation movement. During this period of significant socio-economic change, a new wave of feminism exploded and women used their lived experiences to create politically engaged art to fight injustice.

02
Photo: Elizabeth Fritsch, (L–R) Spout Pot, Dark Windows, 1992; Green Horn Vase, Collision of Particles, 2008; Optical Cup, Crescendo Cup II, 1993.

Elizabeth Fritsch: Otherworldly Vessels

Lovers of ceramics – meet the pioneering pottery artist who pushed against tradition and created a new era of ceramics in the 80s and 90s. Elizabeth Fritsch was associated with the 'New Ceramics' group, who challenged traditional techniques with a radical and decorative approach.

03
JMW Turner, Storm in the Pass of St. Gotthard, Switzerland, 1845

JMW Turner: In Light and Shade

Get a fresh perspective on the iconic and influential landscape painter Turner, in this celebratory exhibition making 250 years since he was born. Get up close to his staggering works that expertly crafted to depict light in its most glorious form. Watercolours from the Whitworth's own collection will be displayed alongside a lesser-known series of prints.

04
A man walking between glowing sculptural textile walls
Bees: A Story of Survival, Symphony Image

Bees: A Story of Survival

Did you know that bees date back to the dinosaurs? This immersive exhibition blends art and science to follow their story from its origins 120 million years ago, to the environmental challenges they face today. Featuring interactive displays, a soundscape of a live beehive, sculptures and projections, rediscover these vital creatures and their current struggle for survival.

05
Painting of a mountain lake with a black phone receiver hanging in the foreground
Salvador Dalí, Mountain Lake, 1938

Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes

Marking 100 years since the publication of the Surrealist Manifesto, Forbidden Territories explores the ways in which surrealist artists used landscapes as a metaphor for the unconscious. Featuring major works of art from the 1920s to the 1940s, this comprehensive showcase includes pieces by Salvador Dalí, Man Ray and Eileen Agar – with interventions by contemporary artists influenced by the movement dotted throughout.

06
Bharti Kher: Alchemies installation view at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, 2024

Bharti Kher: Alchemies

Marvel at monumental bronze sculptures that explore the female body and experience by contemporary artist Bharti Kher. Addressing issues of gender and identity, this major exhibition explores Kher's works from 2000 to today, tracing different approaches from key periods in her career.

07
Trevor Leighton, Holly Johnson, 1979

The Holly Johnson Story

Travel back in time to 1980s Britain, where punks and new wave bands were revolutionising the culture, in this exhibition celebrating Frankie Goes to Hollywood frontman and Liverpool local Holly Johnson. Charting his personal life and career, from budding musician to international star, discover how Johnson dealt with fame, an HIV+ diagnosis, and in turn becoming an LGBTQ+ icon.

08
A painting of a closed red theatre curtain, which a light seems to impact the colour to hues of purple, pink and blue.
Louise Giovanelli, Scala, 2024.

Louise Giovanelli: A Song of Ascents

Immerse yourself in artist Louise Giovanelli’s hypnotic, dream-like paintings, which capture places and people in moments of stillness or transformation. Many are inspired by scenes from films, while others are based on photographs Giovanelli has taken in working men’s clubs and theatres across the UK; all ‘invite us to meet at a threshold where reality and imagination converge’.

09
Afamefuma 'Ebo Boy' by Lela Harris, Judges Lodgings Museum

Facing the Past - Black Lancastrians. A Portrait Exhibition by Lela Harris

Through portraiture, self-taught artist Lela Harris reimagines six Black people connected to the transatlantic slave trade who lived in Lancaster during the 18th century. Harris has combed through archival material to produce visual records of these people who have been historically erased, crucially reminding us of their existence and humanity.

IndividualTiana Clarke Please note this is an example card and not a reflection of the final product

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