From Lips to Liberty

The iconic Central Gallery at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery has reopened after an 18-month hiatus with a bold new exhibition exploring how passion drives creativity, power shapes society, and protest sparks change.

This is the first exhibition to be displayed in the large entrance gallery space which has been closed while vital repairs were made to the giant roof over the exhibition to bring the Grade II listed building up to 21st century requirements.

Rare opportunity

Funded by a grant of £1,463,769 by Arts Council England and £500k from the council, the roof restoration meant that the previous 20th Century exhibition in the space had to be decanted into storage, and curators were given a rare opportunity to wholly re-think the space not only as a gallery, but as a future space for events and venue hire.

Exploring vital themes for today, Passion, Power & Protest is all about people - who we love, what we fight for, and how we strive to change the world.

Objects and artworks tell stories and pose questions about love, identity, connection, prejudice, resistance, challenge, and change. At its heart lies a central question: who gets to tell the story?

Salvador Dali sofa

Highlights include a sofa designed by Salvador Dalí to celebrate the lips of Hollywood actress Mae West, protest banners from the 2020 Black Lives Matter campaign, and historic items from Brighton Pride. Visitors will encounter items that illuminate love, marriage, and passion through the ages, while prompting reflection on the ways power, or the lack of it, shapes human experience.

Featuring rare and some never-seen-before precious objects from the world-renowned Brighton & Hove Museums collections, alongside new items on loan especially for the exhibition, marks an exciting new chapter for the museum.

Major moment

CEO of Brighton & Hove Museums Hedley Swain said: “This is a major moment in the history of Brighton Museum. We are thrilled to be unveiling a wonderful new exhibition space, as well as our newly renovated roof.

“Passion, Power & Protest explores some of the most pressing questions in society today, who holds power, what do we care about, and how can we create change? This is a fantastic opportunity for us to display some of the amazing objects we have in our collections.

“We want to thank Arts Council England and the council for their generous support for the roof repair work.”

Repairs

The repairs began in summer 2024 to stabilise the Grade II listed building and improve its energy efficiency. The project enhances the care of the collections housed within the space, improves the visitor experience, and ensures better access for all.

A structural survey in 2019 identified the need for significant repairs, which were carried out with funding from Arts Council England and the council.

Vital investment

Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted to support Brighton Museum through the Museum Estate and Development Fund. 

"This vital investment has not only helped safeguard a historic cultural landmark but also enabled a bold reimagining of the space for future generations. 

"'Passion, Power & Protest' is a powerful reopening exhibition that reflects the museum’s commitment to telling inclusive, challenging, and inspiring stories. We look forward to seeing how this renewed space continues to spark creativity, dialogue, and connection across Brighton and beyond."

Much loved museum 

Councillor Birgit Miller, Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage and Tourism, said: “We are delighted to have supported this vital restoration project, which has seen the roof of this historic building not only restored, but adapted to enhance a new exhibition space.

“I’m looking forward to visiting the Passion, Power & Protest exhibition, and celebrating the next chapter in the life of this important and much-loved museum.”

The upgrade and roof restoration plans were designed by award-winning architects Donald Insall Associates, enabling improved ventilation, insulation, and natural light. The use of modern materials will also boost the building’s energy efficiency.