Sir Christopher Le Brun becomes honorary fellow

Internationally renowned painter Sir Christopher Le Brun has today been made an honorary fellow of Liverpool John Moores University.

He was conferred with the university’s highest honour at a graduation ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral.

Sir Christopher fittingly received his award on stage, close to two of his commissioned works of art – the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan – which are on display in the choir stalls as part of the Cathedral’s public art collection.

A true friend of the city

Introduced by Professor Rachel McLean, Director of Liverpool Screen School and the Liverpool School of Art and Design, as “a true friend of the city and of the school”, Sir Christopher made his name creating figurative and abstract work in painting, sculpture and print.

I just want to say to the parents and grandparents here today, when it comes to experience, you may be cautious but the young students and graduates here will be brave and they must be brave. It’s our job to encourage their courage. Good luck to you all.

Sir Christopher Le Brun

He was knighted in 2021 for his services to the arts and served as President of the Royal Academy of Arts in London for eight years. Since 1990, has been a trustee of major British institutions at Tate, National Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Drawing School.

He was most notably a double prize winner at the John Moores Liverpool exhibitions of 1978 and 1980 and subsequently returned as a jury member for the John Moores Painting Prize some years later. In 2019, he came to LJMU to deliver a highly engaging Roscoe Lecture on the subject of ‘The artist as public figure: how artists contribute to decision-making in the arts’. 

Today at graduation

A total of 748 students graduated today (Wednesday 26 March 2025) from Liverpool Business School, Liverpool Screen School and the schools of Art and Design, Law, Education, and Nursing and Advanced Practice.

You can find more images from today’s ceremonies on the LJMU social channels (opens in a new tab).