Dazzle Ferry Mersey, Everybody Razzle Dazzle, Sir Peter Blake, 2015. Image credit – Mark McNulty
Sir Peter Blake, one of the major figures of British pop art who famously created the album cover for The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album, has been made a Citizen of Honour.
Sir Peter received the award on Sunday 23 April, the day we celebrate the two-year extension of Everybody Razzle Dazzle, his iconic artwork for the Mersey Ferry Snowdrop, which returns to service after planned maintenance work.
Everybody Razzle Dazzle, commissioned in 2015 by 14-18 NOW, Liverpool Biennial and Tate Liverpool, in partnership with Merseytravel and National Museums Liverpool, has been seen by more than 5 million people.
Originally due to end this year, the extension of the #DazzleFerry means it can continue sailing throughout this year’s 50 Summers of Love celebrations and Liverpool’s 10th anniversary as European Capital of Culture in 2018.
Sir Peter has a long history with Liverpool, winning the John Moores Painting Prize in 1961 and becoming the first patron of the UK’s best-known painting competition in 2012. He also reprised his iconic Sgt. Pepper image with famous figures from Liverpool’s history as a centrepiece of the city’s Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008.
Sir Peter Blake said:
“I’m delighted to be given the Citizen of Honour Award. As well as my music links with the city, I’m proud of my association with Liverpool Biennial and Tate Liverpool and hope to continue my relationship with the city.“I treasure the warmth and good humour of the people of Liverpool and hope they will accept me as an ‘Honorary Scouser’.”
