From Andy Warhol to the humble sea mouse, new exhibition in Carlisle explores the world of colour
Colour: A Season of Shades, Tints and Tones
27 September 2025 – 25 January 2026
What is colour? Why does it mean different things in different cultures and times? And how has colour been linked to power, value, and even prejudice?
This autumn, Tullie invites visitors to experience colour as never before in Colour: A Season of Shades, Tints and Tones. Running from 27 September to 25 January, this major touring exhibition and accompanying programme of events explores how colour has shaped art, identity, culture, politics, and perception across centuries and continents.
From the deep blues of religious iconography to the fiery reds of protest, the exhibition reveals how colour is far more than just something we see. It is something we feel, express, celebrate, and sometimes even fear. Packed with vibrant artworks, surprising stories, and interactive displays, the exhibition will challenge visitors to rethink their relationship with colour in all its emotional, symbolic, and sensory dimensions.
The show will feature works by celebrated artists including Wassily Kandinsky, whose woodcut Orientalisches from his synaesthetic album Klänge explores the emotional power of colour and sound; Andy Warhol’s iconic 1967 Marilyn Monroe, a pop art triumph in saturated colourways; Roy Lichtenstein’s shimmering Moonscape (1965), printed on rowlux; and Katsushika Hokusai’s atmospheric landscape Mishima Pass in Kai Province from Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.
Exclusively for the Tullie leg of the exhibition, the above artworks will be joined by a selection of paintings and a textile from celebrated artist, designer and proponent of bold colour, Kaffe Fassett. In the new year, Fassett will also visit the museum and deliver a talk (details to be announced soon).
The exhibition also includes striking pieces such as Bronze Age gold jewellery from Tullie’s own collection, and showcases how colour appears across nature through examples like the vivid plumage of the ruby-topaz hummingbird. Alongside these are more everyday uses of colour, from cosmetics to Cadbury’s purple; revealing how colour has long held power and meaning in our daily lives. Visitors will also encounter thought-provoking social history objects that explore the complexities of race, skin tone, and identity. These sit alongside modern artistic responses, which reflect on how colour continues to influence both personal experience and shared cultural understanding across time.
A Spectrum of Workshops and Events
Complementing the exhibition is a vibrant season of events, including:
- In Glorious Technicolour, a film-and-talk series celebrating the history of colour in cinema, featuring The Wizard of Oz, Singin’ in the Rain, and more.
- AfroVibe: Colour, Culture & Carnival! on 4 October. A full-day celebration of African and Caribbean creativity with artist Tina Ramos Ekongo, music, crafts, and community energy.
- Workshops and wellbeing sessions, from expressive landscape painting and creative watercolour to sound baths, gelli printing, and life drawing led by Global majority models.
- Diwali Delights on 18–19 October, with joyful Rangoli displays, storytelling, and family-friendly festivities in partnership with Multicultural Cumbria.
Whether you’re captivated by colour theory, inspired by cultural symbolism, or simply want to be surprised by the vast spectrum of shades, Colour promises to be an unmissable experience.
Photography: Staurt Walker Photography
Tickets: Included with Tullie annual pass or day ticket. Under-18s go free.
Location: Tullie, Castle Street, Carlisle
Dates: 27 September 2025 to 25 January 2026
Website: tullie.org.uk
This exhibition has been created for the Museums and Galleries Network for Exhibition Touring (MAGNET), with Art Fund support and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
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