The Boy with a Leg Named Brian: Memoirs by Pete McKee is the latest exhibition to take residence at Weston Park Museum. It invites visitors to step into the nostalgia-soaked streets of 1970s Sheffield, where heartfelt storytelling and a touch of wit bring a bygone era vividly to life.
One might wonder, what leg and why is it named Brian? McKee, one of Sheffield’s best-loved artists, answers this question right at the start, recounting a childhood memory of hand-me-down jeans with a patch that read “BRIAN.” This light-hearted anecdote, rooted in everyday life, sets the tone for an exhibition brimming with nostalgia, humour, and personal reflections on McKee’s youth.
The exhibition is thoughtfully divided into five sections, each capturing a unique facet of McKee’s life: the Castle Market years, with a poignant focus on his mother before her passing during his childhood; his family and love for comics; his passion for football; the rites of passage that shaped his teenage years, from fashion and music to media; and finally, his deep connection to the city itself.
My favourite section was Rites of Passage, where I immersed myself in McKee’s curated 70s playlist, each track accompanied by his narration about its significance—The Piano Has Been Drinking is now on repeat for me! Hearing these stories firsthand was extraordinary.
The artwork was equally captivating, offering a rich tapestry of McKee’s youth. There was so much to take in, but I was particularly drawn to pieces that highlighted his nervous encounters with girls, the iconic Harrington jackets, and how he began to carve out his own identity. This journey of self-expression came through in simple yet powerful details, like pinning band badges onto his lapel to showcase his taste in music and personal style.
I believe a great show always includes interactive elements, and The Boy with a Leg Named Brian delivers on multiple fronts. Visitors could enjoy audiovisual features like the making of Little Pete and the artist’s special short film Le Voyage Ballon. A cartoon workshop offered hands-on fun—I thoroughly enjoyed drawing a monster and an anime character. For a nostalgic touch, there was even an arcade classic, Space Invaders.
What struck me most was how these activities brought together people of all ages. I watched an elderly woman play Space Invaders right after me, clearly enjoying herself, while a young child eagerly absorbed instructions on drawing. It was heartwarming to see visitors of all generations engage with and connect through the exhibition.
Rating: ★★★★★
The Boy with a Leg Named Brian: Memoirs by Pete McKee is on display in Weston Park Museum until November 2nd 2025
