A retrospective exhibition of the work of Sgt Pepper artist Sir Peter Blake opens at the Tate on Friday.
And I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview this morning.
In fact, it was such a sneak preview that they were still putting works on the wall down at the Albert Dock.
It was very interesting to see the last minute behind-the-scenes flurry before the private view tomorrow and general opening on Friday.
And Sir Peter himself was there, watching what was going on and making sure everything was being done just right.
In fact, he apparently had so much input into the exhibition he even helped choose the colour of the walls........and some are suitably bright and pop arty.
Blake himself turned 75 on Monday, but to me he still resembles an Edwardian gentleman who has somehow wandered into the 21st century.
He's a softly spoken man, but everything he does say is delivered in sonorous tones.
Apparently the Tate in Liverpool had a little birthday tea and cake do for him yesterday, and on Monday he had a party in London at which the Blockheads (without the late great Ian Dury sadly, whose portrait by Blake is in the show) reformed.
I understand that despite his most famous and iconic image being that of the Sgt Pepper album cover, Sir Peter is actually a closet Beach Boys fan and there is a very good picture of the group which he did in the 1960s.
Of course, there IS also that album cover image, together with two cut out figures and a figurine of a dancing lady which the artist still owns on show. He did have the cut out of WC Fields until recently when he sold it to Robbie Williams.
The exhibition is divided up into quite clear chronological sections, with the 1950s pictures of children and tattooed ladies, the 60s being about pop culture and pretty women, the 70s showing wrestlers, pin ups and later pre-raphelite and rural scenes from Blake's decamp to the country, while the 80s and 90s see images of Venice Beach and artistic riffs on old masters.
Something for everyone in other words.
The Retrospective runs at the Tate until September 23.
And just like Sgt Pepper, Sir Peter hopes you will enjoy the show.............
