Liverpool Biennial has announced the title and artist lineup for its 2027 edition, 'The Age of Magical Thinking.' The 14th Biennial, curated by Aimee Harrison and Lucía Sanromán, will run from June 5 to September 19, 2027.
The event will bring 25 international artists and collectives to Liverpool's galleries and public spaces, with works reflecting on the experience of childhood, the importance of children's rights, and projects that recognise young people as experts of their own experience.
A City Transformed by Art for Over Two Decades
Taking place in galleries, historic buildings and unexpected spaces, the Biennial has transformed the city through art for more than two decades. It has commissioned numerous iconic permanent and temporary public artworks, including Antony Gormley's Another Place, Liverpool Mountain by Ugo Rondinone and Everybody Razzle Dazzle by Sir Peter Blake.
Sam Lackey, Director of Liverpool Biennial, said: "'The Age of Magical Thinking' brings together artists from across the globe to reflect on childhood and its inevitable complexity and difference."
Lackey added: "We are delighted to work again once more with our brilliant partner venues across the city and are, as always, grateful for the support of our core funders Arts Council England, Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Accommodation BID for enabling us to achieve our mission of sharing extraordinary contemporary art with everyone and making Liverpool an exceptional place to work, study and visit."
Participating Artists and Venues
The participating artists for the 2027 edition are: Ad Minoliti (Argentina), Amalia Pica (Argentina/UK), Anya Paintsil (Wales), Charmaine Poh (Singapore/Germany), Dor Guez (Jerusalem/Athens), EBB.Global (France), Elias Nafaa (Lebanon/Canada), Francis Alÿs (Belgium/Mexico), Harold Offeh (Ghana/UK), Hiroko Kubo (Japan), Immy Mali (Uganda), Iván Argote (Colombia/France), the vacuum cleaner (UK), Laakkuluk Williamson (Greenlandic Inuk/Canada), Wen Cheng Lee (Taiwan), Marilyn Boror Bor (Guatemala), Petrit Halilaj (Kosovo/Germany), Rineke Dijkstra (The Netherlands), Robert Gabris (Slovakia/Austria), Ronak & Roza Moshtaghi (Iran/Germany/Norway), Ruth Ewan (Scotland), Tania Candiani (Mexico), Yarema Malashchuk and Roman Khimei (Ukraine), and Zohra Opoku (Germany/Ghana).
As part of the Biennial, Williamson Square will feature an artwork co-created with local young people and artist Harold Offeh. Together they will programme the space with events and activities throughout summer 2027.
New commissions and existing artworks will be unveiled across the city at venues including the Bluecoat, FACT Liverpool, Walker Art Gallery, Open Eye Gallery, Victoria Gallery & Museum, Liverpool Cathedral, and the Exhibition Research Laboratory at Liverpool John Moores University.
Focus on Children and Young People
Aimee Harrison, Co-Curator of Liverpool Biennial 2027, said: "It's been a long-held passion of mine to bring together artists to explore a stage of development that we have all shared. We have an opportunity to learn alongside children about living in a world that is both hard and full of possibility."
Harrison continued: "My first role in an arts organisation was working with young people. I have always been heartened by their hope, honesty and spirit for justice. It has been a privilege to explore these complexities with the incredible artists and Co-Curator Lucía Sanromán."
She added: "Our Biennial is truly grounded in the experiences of children and young people. Projects like the Williamson Square artwork are an important reminder of why the perspectives of children and young people are vital to the present and future of our cultural spaces, places and creative practice."
More information can be found on the Liverpool Biennial website.
