Sculpture Trail

Journey along the trail to see a range of sculpture styles - from abstract to traditional - all part of the University of Liverpool’s art and heritage collection.

Discover 14 must-see sculptures using our self-guided tour.

To help you navigate the trail, each sculpture’s snippet view will feature the VG&M building icon, so you can easily orient yourself and follow the route. A full campus map is available at the bottom of this page for a complete overview or view the campus map here.

The VG&M Building will always be on the map to help you orientate yourself

We begin in the quadrangle behind the VG&M with our first sculpture on the Ashton Building.

The first sculpture on our tour is on the facade of the Ashton Building, approximate location is within the red square, marked with the X

Figures, 1912 - 1914, by William Birnie Rhind

Figures, 1912 - 1914
By William Birnie Rhind (1852 – 1933)

Map Ref D7
 
Rhind was a Scottish-based sculptor who rarely worked beyond the border but he twice made an exception for Liverpool. His sculpture on the façade of the Liverpool Cottage Exchange no longer exists, so these are the only remaining examples. They are typical of his elegant Neoclassical style and are allegorical figures representing the arts.
Our next sculpture is also in the quadrangle, just beyond the grass between the Johnston and George Holt Buildings

The second sculpture is in the quadrangle behind the VG&M, aproximate location within the red square, marked with the X

Red Between, 1971 - 1973, by Philip King

Red Between, 1971 - 1973
By Philip King (1934 -2021 )

Map Ref D8
 
King was an abstract sculptor who studied under Anthony Caro and was an assistant to Henry Moore. Red Between was created while the artist was rethinking his way of working. Originally, the forms were low to the ground. King had a two-year pause and when he returned to the sculpture, he decided to raise the forms off the ground. He felt the space around it added dynamism.
Acquired with the support of the Arts Council, 1977.
We now move to the left of The Red between and across to map reference C8

The third sculpture is just off the quadrangle, approximate location marked within the red square, marked with the X

Shemaiah, c.1985, by Sean Rice

Shemaiah, c.1985
By Sean Rice (1931 – 1997)

Map Ref C8
 
Sean Rice was a unique and innovative Liverpool-based sculptor who taught at the Liverpool School of Art. His work can be seen around the city with many pieces in Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. Rice often used religious themes for his figurative studies and Shemaiah, seen here, is a prophet from the Old Testament.
On loan from the Estate of the Artist.
Walking down the road and in the same reference square is our next location on the side of the Brodie Tower building (look up!)

The fourth sculpture is on the side of the Brodie Tower building, approximate location is within the red square, marked with the X

Lettering, 1960, by Maxwell Fry OBE

Lettering, 1960

By Maxwell Fry OBE (1899 – 1987)

Map Ref C8

The names of famous engineers are displayed in pre-cast concrete on a curved wall for added impact. Maxwell Fry is regarded as the father of the Modern movement in architecture in Britain and he believed that buildings should be carefully matched to their environment. Born in Wallasey, Fry studied at the University’s School of Architecture.

Turn around and go through the archway between the Thompson Yates and Whelan Buildings

Walking Tour - Front Runner

Front Runner

Front Runner                                                        

By Elisabeth Frink, 1987

Map Reference C8

Elisabeth Frink studied at the Guildford School of Art (1946-1947) and the Chelsea School of Art (1949-1953). She was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1982. She describes this work as a tribute to human rights and that the figure is a man running away from persecution.

Come back through the archway and walk back towards the VG&M and stop by the archway between the Ashton Building and the George Holt Building. Look up and you will see a pair of sphinxes.

Walk to the archway between the Holt and Ashton Buildings and look up, approximatel location is in the red square, marked with the X

New Arts Entrance, watercolour by Allan P. Tankard

Sphinx sculpture by William Birnie Rhind

Sphinxes
William Birnie Rhind (1853 – 1933)

Map Ref D8

Although hundreds of people walk through this archway every day, not many look up to see the pair of sphinxes perched on top. Mythical creatures with a human head and a lion’s body, they appear in several classical civilisations, including ancient Egyp,t where they usually represent protection from evil. 

Go through the archway and you will see the Harold Cohen Library on the other side of the archway, once again look up over the entrance to the library, map reference D8.

Under the archway between the Ashton Building and the George Holt buildings you will see the Harold Cohen Library, approximate location is within the red square, marked with the X

Learning, 1938, by Eric Kennington

Learning, 1938
By Eric Kennington (1888 – 1960)

Map Ref D8
The figure holds a key and a lantern, and she stands before a large open book; all symbols of learning. Kennington enlisted as a soldier in the First World War, and he became an official war artist during that conflict and the next. During peacetime, Kennington undertook commissions for war memorials or figures for public buildings such as this.
You are now heading for the next sculpture in West Derby Street, between the William Henry Duncan and Ronald Ross Buildings (Ref F9).

The next sculpture in on West Derby Street between the William Henry Duncan and Ronald Ross Buildings

 Form A, 2017, by Susan Forsyth

Form A, 2017
By Susan Forsyth (1961 - )

Map Ref F9

Forsyth was commissioned by the University to create a sculpture complementing the space adjacent to the Biosciences facilities. This nuclear-grade stainless steel structure has echoes of the surrounding buildings, while the form resembles strands of a replicating chromosome and can also be perceived as a striding figure.
 
Pass the sculpture and go between the Ronald Ross and William Henry Duncan Buildings and head towards University Square and the road that divides the University of Liverpool Student Guild and Mathematics building (Map Ref E6).

The next sculpture is on the front of the Mathematics building just off University Square, opposite the Guild of Students. Approximate location is within the red square, marked with the X

Open Metal Gatework & Screen, 1961, by John McCarthy

Open Metal Gatework & Screen, 1961
By John McCarthy

Map Ref E6
 
The gate and screen are both inspired by mathematics and the design incorporates mathematical symbols in an abstract way. McCarthy also designed a five-panel terracotta mural for the Mathematics and Oceanography building based on the growth of mathematical ideas in science and technology.
Walk between the maths building and the Careers hub (on University Square) and head over to the outside of the Central Teaching Hub and look at the outside of the building. 

 Map outside central teaching hub

Abstract Frieze, Sculptor Frederick Bushe OBE

Abstract Frieze, c.1965
Sculptor Frederick Bushe OBE (1931 – 2009)

Map Ref F6
 
Bushe was Lecturer in Sculpture at Liverpool College of Education during the 1960s, although he spent most of his life in Scotland. His art was on a monumental scale and produced in reaction to its environment. This frieze was commissioned for the Science Faculty and represents the disintegration of matter. The panels at either end are almost whole but they become more fragmented towards the centre, where the doorway is.
Go down the side of this building and just outside the Central Teaching Labs is our next sculpture, opposite the Chadwick Building.

Walk down Peach Street for our next outdoor sculpture, approximate location is within the red square, marked with the X

 

Three Uprights, 1959 By Hubert Dalwood

Three Uprights, 1959

By Hubert Dalwood (1924 – 1976)

Map Ref F5/6

The three forms can be seen as three talking figures. The artist considered two forms would have been too few and four too many. Dalwood won a competition to design this piece, which is cast in aluminium.  He was one of the leading British artists of his time and taught at several institutions including the Royal College of Art. This piece was installed in 1959, the year Dalwood won the John Moores prize with Large Object.

Continue down this road and go over the crossing and enter Abercromby Square, your next sculpture is just over the crossing outside the Sydney Jones Library on a plinth.

Location for Hepworth Sculpture
 
 Hepworth Sculpture outside SJL
 

Square with Two Circles, 1964
By Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903 – 1975)

Map Ref F4
 
Hepworth was one of the few female artists of her generation to achieve international recognition. Although Modernist in her use of abstract forms, she was influenced by the monolithic power of ancient standing stones. Here, Hepworth uses circles cut out of the bronze structure to explore the relationship between occupied and empty space.
Opposite you is a gate leading into Abercromby Square park. Enter from the side gate and the next sculpture will be on the floor to your right, map reference E4.
Enter Abercromby Square gate, approximate location is within the red square, marked with the X

Centenary Victoria Cross Stone, 2017

Centenary Victoria Cross Stone, 2017 

Map Ref E4
 
This stone honours Captain Noel Chavasse (1884 – 1917).  Son of the Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, he worked as a doctor at the city’s Royal Southern Hospital. After enlisting Chavasse was surgeon to the Liverpool Scottish battalion. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravely tending to wounded soldiers during the Battle of the Somme. Then awarded a Bar (equivalent of a second VC) posthumously for treating the wounded under fire during the Battle of Passchendaele. He died of injuries sustained at the time.
Cut across Abercomy Square to the other side and you will find our last sculpture.

 Walk to the other side of Abercromby Square, approximate location is within the red square, marked with the X

Liverpool Heroes Memorial Statue, 2008, by Tom Murphy

Liverpool Heroes Memorial Statue, 2008
By Tom Murphy (1949 - )

Map Ref D4
This bronze statue is dedicated to war hero Captain Noel Chavasse, who died in
1917 and was the only man to be awarded the equivalent of two Victoria Crosses
during World War One. The memorial also names fifteen further Victoria Cross recipients who were born in
Liverpool. Its creator, Tom Murphy, is one of Britain’s leading monumental sculptors whose work includes the Hillsborough Memorial and statues of Bill Shankly at Anfield and John Lennon at the airport.
 

You have now completed the Campus Walking Tour.

More sculptures may be added or removed over time due to building works and new commissions, please check back regularly for updates.

University of Liverpool Campus Map

 

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