• EVERY THING MUST GO will explore the theme ‘things that are no longer with us’

• Bold salon-style display will include deceased celebrities, discontinued chocolate bars, extinct animals and destroyed buildings

• Lycett’s desired effect is to overwhelm and delight with a “neon graveyard”.  

Birmingham Museums is delighted to announce that the first major solo exhibition of art by comedian Joe Lycett will be opening at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in July 2026.

Over the last twelve months Lycett has been busy producing works that celebrate nostalgia, grief and loss.  

Exploring the theme of ‘things that are no longer with us’ and inspired by objects from the city of Birmingham’s collection, EVERY THING MUST GO will bring together dozens of never-seen-before pieces.  

The ambitious new mixed media 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 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.  

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 29 July 2026 and general admission will be free of charge.