This autumn, a major new exhibition is set to take visitors on a nostalgia-filled journey through the childhood of one of Sheffield best-loved artists, Pete McKee.
Opening at Weston Park Museum on Friday 29 November, The Boy with a Leg Named Brian: Memoirs by Pete McKee chronicles the artist’s formative years in the 1970s through over 90 McKee creations.
Taking its title from a patch sewn onto Pete’s jeans as a child, The Boy with a Leg Named Brian. the interactive exhibition sees key moments and treasured memories captured in a new series of paintings, prints and sculpture, alongside highlights from across Pete’s career.
Pete says: “Over the years my work has been a series of flash cards of my memories, along with general observations. For this exhibition I wanted to truly focus on my own personal experience of growing up on a council estate in Sheffield and make this show truly autobiographical.
“I chose to focus on my life as a five-year-old through to my teenage years and is split into five chapters. I thoroughly enjoyed creating this exhibition, as it gave me an excuse to be truly self-indulgent and reflective.”
As visitors follow Pete’s journey through the displays there’ll be the chance to play an arcade classic, Space Invaders, hear his pop music playlist and get creative in the exhibition’s Cartoon Workshop zone.
The exhibition, which is set to run for eleven months, will also be complemented by an extensive event programme, a brand-new school workshop inspired by Pete’s work and the exhibition themes, and an exclusive McKee product range in the museum shop.
Pete continued: “To have the work shown at Weston Park Museum is such a massive honour and it will be my biggest show to date. The museums of Sheffield played a massive part of my life and development as an artist, as my dad attempted to nurture my creative tendencies and would take me to Graves and Weston Park so see exhibitions and the museums collection.
“I have had the opportunity to dive into the museum’s collection and included some key works that have played a significant and direct contribution to my own work.
“The show itself is a collection of new work and McKee classics from my past, combining to tell the story of mine and pretty much everyone else’s youth growing up through the 70’s and into the 80’s.
“As always, this show will be a mixed media experience that will have something for everyone young and old and will be a great family experience. I can’t wait for you all to see it.”
Lucy Cooper, Exhibitions Curator at Sheffield Museums adds: “Pete McKee’s work is much-loved by people across the region and far beyond. We’re delighted to be journeying back to his childhood with him for this exhibition, which tells of a personal story of experiences that will resonate with visitors of all ages. We’re expecting this to be a popular one, so be sure to book your free tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.”
Tickets for the exhibition are free and will be available to book from November – for the latest information on ticket releases, follow Sheffield Museums on social media or visit shefieldmuseums.org.uk/mckee
The Boy with a Leg Named Brian: Memoirs by Pete McKee opens at Weston Park Museum on Friday 29 November and continues until 2 November 2025 – entry to the exhibition is free.