Welcome to Objects in Focus at the VG&M

This Blog will focus on individual objects from our extensive fine and decorative art collections and the museum heritage collections. You will be regulary treated to an in-depth look into both familiar and unfamiliar artworks and objects, discovering some of the secrets and stories behind them.

You might recognise some objects from display, but others from departmental teaching collections will be seen publicly for the first time.

Moving Big Stuff: the Barbara Hepworth sculptureMoving Big Stuff: the Barbara Hepworth sculpture

Moving Big Stuff: the Barbara Hepworth sculpture

As an art curator, most of the artworks I look after are fairly portable. Sometimes it takes a couple of people to move something, but often just one. Occasionally however, it takes a specialist team with a radio-controlled crane and a lot of skill. The recent relocation of our prize Barbara Hepworth sculpture was one such occasion.

Posted on: 18 August 2023

The Los Alamos Notebooks (and the stories they could tell)The Los Alamos Notebooks (and the stories they could tell)

The Los Alamos Notebooks (and the stories they could tell)

During the period between February 2014 and May 2018, when our Particle Physics exhibition was in the Tate Hall Museum, the VGM had around 200,000 visitors – so it’s fair to assume that a number of them might have seen the Christopher Nolan film ‘Oppenheimer’ and wondered why they didn’t recognise any of the Liverpool names amongst the characters in the film.

Posted on: 4 August 2023

Linda Stein: Gender ScramblingLinda Stein: Gender Scrambling

Linda Stein: Gender Scrambling

To celebrate Pride Month, we’ve invited emerging art historian and curator Oliver Donald to write about our current exhibition, Gender Scrambling, by American feminist LGBTQ+ artist Linda Stein.

Posted on: 23 June 2023

Bernard Meninsky: From Ukraine to LiverpoolBernard Meninsky: From Ukraine to Liverpool

Bernard Meninsky: From Ukraine to Liverpool

Our thoughts are with Ukraine as we enter into Eurovision celebrations in Liverpool. So here is the poignant story of Ukrainian-born Bernard Meninsky whose life as an artist began in this city.

Posted on: 9 May 2023

The Bust of Principal RendallThe Bust of Principal Rendall

The Bust of Principal Rendall

To celebrate International Sculpture Day we find out more about the bust of Principal Gerald Rendall that was unveiled 126 years ago on 20 February 1897.

Posted on: 29 April 2023

Jane Herdman: Science and SewingJane Herdman: Science and Sewing

Jane Herdman: Science and Sewing

Deep within the University’s Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences building hangs a portrait of a lady serenely sewing. She is Jane Herdman and the building is named after her. Jane’s story is a mix of love, tragedy, science and, above all, the encouragement of learning.

Posted on: 8 March 2023

Most Lustrous: the ceramics of Julia Carter PrestonMost Lustrous: the ceramics of Julia Carter Preston

Most Lustrous: the ceramics of Julia Carter Preston

At the VG&M we have two objects on display that everybody admires. One is a large bowl and the other a jar topped with a golden fish. They are by the acclaimed Liverpool ceramics artist, Julia Carter Preston, and are gleaming and gorgeous. Let’s find out more about the artist and the historic background to her style and technique.

Posted on: 13 January 2023

A Robin's TaleA Robin

A Robin's Tale

Wednesday 21st December 2022 is Winter Solstice and National Robin Day and so we take a closer look at some of the Robin paintings in our Audubon gallery and the stories attached to them.

Posted on: 21 December 2022

130 Years of the Victoria Building

130 Years of the Victoria Building

The Victoria Building officially opened on 13th December 1892 and this year we celebrate our 130th anniversary. Although the building has always been a part of the University of Liverpool it has had many different uses over the years and in this blog we will look at the history of a few locations located on the ground, first and second floors. By using 20th century photographs held in Special Collections and Archives and 21st century technology from the Mobile and UI team, these historical areas of our building will come to life.

Posted on: 13 December 2022

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Disclaimer

We try to ensure that the information provided on our blog is accurate and that appropriate permissions to use images have been sought.

The opinions in each blog are very much those of the individuals writing.