Alistair Hardaker | Image: © Joe Lycett
EVERY THING MUST GO opens at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in July, featuring paintings on themes ‘no longer with us’.
The first major solo exhibition of paintings by comedian Joe Lycett will open at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in July 2026.
‘EVERY THING MUST GO’ explores the theme of things that are no longer with us, the museum explains.
The comedian has 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.
The new solo exhibition will include subjects such as deceased celebrities, discontinued chocolate bars, extinct animals and destroyed buildings, presented in a salon-style display.
“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,” Lycett said.
“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.”
Lycett has produced the works over the last twelve months. The exhibition was inspired by objects from Birmingham’s collection.
The comedian and artist’s work has previously appeared at the Royal Academy of Arts, National Portrait Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery, Ikon Gallery, MAC Birmingham, Bristol Arnolfini and Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Museums + Heritage Awards judge Sara Wajid is co-chief executive of Birmingham Museums Trust alongside Zak Mensah.
They 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 on Wednesday 29 July 2026.
