Gay Times paintings to remain on display at Walker Art Gallery for two weeks 

Specially commissioned portraits of Gay Times Honours winners including Sir Ian McKellen, Harry Styles and Michael Causer are attracting audiences following awards event.

Paintings of One Direction star Harry Styles, actor Sir Ian McKellen and musician MNEK will be on display at Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery for the next two weeks as part of a special exhibition following the Gay Times Honours.

The exhibition also includes a portrait of Liverpool teenager Michael Causer who died following a homophobic attack in 2008.

A glittering ceremony held by Gay Times magazine at the art gallery last week saw the paintings unveiled to a crowd of famous faces and high profile LGBTQ figures who were recognised for their work to advance gay rights.

A total of 13 paintings are on display all showcasing those who were highlighted by Gay Times for being LGBTQ role models or for advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ communities.

Harry Styles

Gay Times owner James Frost said:

“These paintings represent LGBTQ visibility in Britain and around the world and it is fantastic that they’re on display at the Walker Art Gallery who were wonderful event partners for the Gay Times Honours. The unique paintings show people like Sir Ian McKellen who has used his platform to campaign for LGBTQ equality for over thirty years. He is joined by a new generation of activists like  MNEK and allies such as Harry Styles. It is particularly moving to also be remembering Michael Causer in this way.”

Charlotte Keenan, Curator of British Art at National Museums Liverpool, said:

“National Museums Liverpool is dedicated to exhibiting all aspects of culture while tackling social, historical and contemporary issues. We have a strong commitment to human rights, social justice and equality for all. The representation and contribution LGBTQ+ people have made to society over a long period of time has been largely misinterpreted or omitted. The Walker is committed to correcting this, through projects in close collaboration with LGBTQ+ audiences and groups, including Pride and Prejudice, retrospectively researching LGBTQ+ history in our collections making new acquisitions for the collection by LGBTQ+ artists.

“Last year, our 2017 exhibition Coming Out was the UK’s largest contemporary art exhibition exploring sexuality and gender in art, and we continue to work closely with our community partners to build the Walker’s LGBTQ+ programme and collections. We are really pleased to be recognised for our ongoing work to ensure representation and visibility for LGBTQ+ artists and history in our collections, displays and programming.”

Businesses including Arup, Investec, Barclays and Signature Living sponsored the Gay Times Honours.