Liverpool Biennial 2023 reveals artists and locations

The city's Tobacco Warehouse and Cotton Exchange will be among the venues for this summer’s Liverpool Biennial.

The event, running from June 10 to September 17, will also see open-air art installations, sculptures and neon works at locations including Stanley and Princes docks, Liverpool ONE, St John’s Gardens and the grounds at Liverpool Parish Church.

The 2023 Liverpool Biennial, the 12 ‘edition’ of what is the UK’s largest free festival of contemporary art, has the title uMoya: the Sacred Return of Lost Things.

Among the British and international artists taking part are Lubaina Himid, Edgar Calel, Guadalupe Maravilla, Brook Andrew, Nicholas Galanin, Melanie Manchot, Rudy Loewe and Unmute Dance Theatre.

Work will be showcased across the city with arts venues like Tate Liverpool, FACT, the Bluecoat and Victoria Gallery & Museum all involved. There will also be a public programme of events through the 14-week festival as well as online activity.

The festival is being curated by Khanyisile Mbongwa, working alongside Biennial director Dr Samantha Lackey and the wider team.

Dr Lackey says: “I believe uMoya: the Sacred Return of Lost Things will be a beautiful and deeply felt festival across the city that will both connect to Liverpool’s colonial past but also uncover possibilities for repair, healing and joy in its future.

“Khanyisile Mbongwa has brought together perspectives, thinking – and importantly – feeling from across the globe which will help us see the world we’re living in today from different viewpoints.”

Liverpool Biennial runs from June 10 to September 17 at locations across the city. More HERE

Top: Melanie Manchot, STEPHEN, 2023. Courtesy Parafin, London and Galerie m, Bochum. Image credit: Melanie Manchot/Andrew Schonfelder