Joseph Mallord William Turner, A Steamer off Ostend, c. 1840-41. Courtesy of National Museums Liverpool / Lady Lever Art Gallery.
Joseph Mallord William Turner is perhaps the most famous British painter, and 2025 sees the 250th anniversary of his birth. As part of the commemoration of this major anniversary, join exhibition curator Melissa Gustin as she introduces the Walker Art Gallery’s show Turner: Always Contemporary.
This exhibition draws on National Museums Liverpool’s collection of Turner paintings, prints, and watercolours as well as Victorian and modern art, to frame an exploration of why Turner’s art matters today. Supported with major modern and contemporary loans, including Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Maggi Hambling, and Damien Hirst, this exhibition traces the way Turner’s practice was shaped by, and has in-turn influenced, traditions of landscape painting, the modern world, and the nature of art.
From watercolour studies and the picturesque, formaldehyde sculptures and designer handbags, this exhibition looks to explore how Turner’s work has always been contemporary.
Turner: Always Contemporary is at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, from 25 October 2025 to 22 February 2026.
This event will be recorded. Ticket holders are emailed a link to view the recording afterwards which is available for one month. Proceeds from ARTscapades ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live with Q&A, or on-demand for one month afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.