Stunning photographs of Crosby beach’s Iron Men, taken over two decades by Crosby photographer Ron Davies, goes on display at The Atkinson in Southport on Saturday (13th December).
Entitled, ‘Men for All Seasons’ the free exhibition will feature 20 of Davies’ landscape images that capture Antony Gormley’s internationally acclaimed artwork ‘Another Place’.
In July, Sefton marked the 20th anniversary of the arrival of the 100, 6ft 2”, cast iron figures that make up ‘Another Place’. They now stand along a two-mile stretch of coast from Waterloo to Blundellands as a permanent and striking installation that has drawn millions of visitors worldwide.
During that time Ron Davies has visited the installation hundreds or even thousands of times capturing images of the figures, which replicate Gormley’s own body, and stare out to sea .
When the photographs were first unveiled and the exhibition announced, in July, Crosby resident Ron Davies said:
“The Iron Men enrich the already beautiful Sefton coast making a perfect foreground against which to capture the wonders of nature. From sunrises and sunsets to brooding storms, snowscapes and even the Northern lights, every visit offers fresh opportunities for a photographer.
In July, Sefton’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnership Engagement, Councillor Liz Dowd said the ‘Iron Men’ had become friends to millions of people over the years. That included Sefton residents and many, many visitors who have made the pilgrimage to Crosby beach to pose alongside them.
And fellow Sefton Cabinet Member and journalist, Councillor Peter Harvey, who was editor of newspapers including the Crosby Herald in 2005, said:
“The Crosby Herald broke the exclusive story of plans for the ‘Iron Men of the Mersey’ not knowing how much influence they would have on the culture, identity, and personality of our area, or how much joy they would bring.
“The Iron Men were welcomed to Sefton as visitors – but today there is no doubt that Crosby beach is their home. They are part of the family.”
The free exhibition at The Atkinson is on until Saturday 21st February 2026.
Find out more here.
Entry is free to The Art Gallery, which is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.
The Art Gallery will be closed for Christmas from Thursday 25th December to Friday 2nd January 2026, reopening on Saturday 3rd.
Header photo credit: Ron Davies
Article credit: Eye On Southport