Kirkby High School unveils Sir Peter Blake flag installation donated by Tate Liverpool

Tate Liverpool has gifted a vibrant set of flags designed by celebrated British pop artist Sir Peter Blake to Kirkby High School, transforming the school’s environment with a bold and inspirational artwork installation.

The flags, originally commissioned for the Tate Liverpool café space, feature the distinctive Everybody Razzle Dazzle design, famously seen on the Mersey Ferry. Their relocation to Kirkby High marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of Sir Peter’s iconic dazzle camouflage work on the River Mersey.

Due to the temporary closure and redevelopment of Tate Liverpool, it was determined that the flags would not be suitable for the gallery’s new layout. In collaboration with the artist, the decision was made to donate them to a community partner. Kirkby High School, which has a long-standing relationship with Tate Liverpool through the Tackling the Blues arts and mental health programme, was selected as their new home.

Now on permanent display within the school, the flags form an eye-catching installation that is viewed daily by over 1,000 students and staff. Sir Peter’s work, which blends maritime signal flags with pop culture motifs, has been embraced by teaching staff as a valuable educational resource.

Phil McClure, Assistant Curator Learning, Tate Liverpool said:

“We would like to thank Sir Peter Blake for this contribution, and we hope that the flags become a valuable teaching resource for the school and a chance for the students there to engage directly with works created by a significant British artist.  We hope that the students at Kirkby High will be inspired by the flags to make and create and to engage with art and artists. We believe a creative education can positively impact student’s lives and we hope that the bright, colourful flags bring positive memories and a smile to students faces when they come through the door.”

Amy Argent, Head of Art and Jonathan Greenbank, teacher of art and PD said:

“Sir Peter Blake has long been an inspiration to Kirkby High School staff and students; To have his flags here is simply wonderful as they directly link to the art curriculum. When primary schools visit for transition sessions, students are introduced to his work and create self-portrait images based on his collages and the razzle dazzle imagery. Year 9 students explore his work with reference to his Pop Art style while exploring graffiti and logos. Also, at the end of Year 7 students reflect on their achievements and changing identities by designing their own Self Portrait With Badges based on the painting which won him the John Moores Painting Prize in 1961.”

Sir Peter Blake, a central figure in the development of British pop art, is best known for his use of imagery drawn from popular culture, including advertising, music, and comic books. In addition to designing the legendary cover for The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967, Sir Peter has strong ties to Liverpool. He won the John Moores Painting Prize in 1961 for Self Portrait with Badges, which now resides in the Tate collection. In 2007, Tate Liverpool hosted Peter Blake: A Retrospective, the artist’s largest solo exhibition since 1983. He also created a Liverpool-themed update of the Sgt. Pepper’s album cover in celebration of the city’s designation as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

The donation of the flags stands as a testament to Sir Peter Blake’s enduring connection to the city, and to Tate Liverpool’s commitment to engaging local communities through art and education.

Find out more on the Tate Liverpool website.

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