Joe Lycett's colourful art exhibition in Birmingham Museum

From giant pink mammoths and discontinued chocolate bars to tributes to Birmingham icons, comedian Joe Lycett's first major solo exhibition has transformed Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

I visited EVERY THING MUST GO, which opened at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery this summer, and quickly discovered this is far from a traditional art exhibition.

Joe Lycett's EVERY THING MUST GO exhibit at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. (Image: Newsquest)

The free exhibition, created by Birmingham-born comedian, broadcaster and artist Joe Lycett, features more than 80 artworks inspired by "things that are no longer with us".

Visitors will find everything from extinct animals and demolished buildings to deceased celebrities and discontinued products displayed throughout the gallery.

One of the first things that catches the eye is the exhibition's giant pink woolly mammoth, known as Martin from Hull, which sits at the centre of the show.

Joe Lycett's EVERY THING MUST GO exhibit at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. (Image: Newsquest)

The striking sculpture is surrounded by a packed collection of colourful paintings, prints, ceramics and mixed-media works that fill the room from floor to ceiling.

What makes the exhibition particularly enjoyable for Brummies is the number of local references woven throughout it.

The show contains nods to Birmingham culture, landmarks and personalities, turning the museum gallery into a playful tribute to the city as much as an art exhibition.

Joe Lycett's EVERY THING MUST GO exhibit at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. (Image: Newsquest)

Ozzy Osbourne lives on in the exhibit, with a bright painting of him taking a prime position on one of the walls.

Lycett has described the exhibition as a "neon graveyard", a phrase that feels fitting once inside.

Bright colours and humour sit alongside more reflective themes of grief, memory and change, creating an exhibition that is entertaining and thought-provoking all at the same time.

Joe Lycett's EVERY THING MUST GO exhibit at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. (Image: Newsquest)

The exhibition is also notable because it represents a significant new chapter for Lycett.

While best known for television shows, stand-up comedy and consumer campaigns, this is his largest and most ambitious art exhibition to date.

Joe Lycett's EVERY THING MUST GO exhibit at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. (Image: Newsquest)

Created with contributions from several Birmingham artists and creatives, the show feels deeply rooted in the city.

Rather than a conventional gallery experience, it is designed to overwhelm visitors with colour, humour and unexpected discoveries.

EVERY THING MUST GO is running at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery until February 21, 2027, with free admission.