University of York Art Collection

18/08/2026

We’re so excited to welcome a new sculpture to our campus University of York! Michael Kenny’s “Original Sin” from 1993/94 found its new permanent home between Heslington Hall and Derwent College. Michael Kenny (1941-1999) was a renown British artist and a member of the Royal Academy since 1986. His sculptures are held in prominent collections across the UK and internationally, so we are absolutely delighted to welcome such an accomplished piece into our Art Collection. The installation of the sculpture was made possible thanks to a grant from the Henry Moore Foundation - we are so grateful for this amazing support!

We are indebted, for making this wonderful donation possible, to the sculptor Brian Falconbridge who is the former trustee of Kenny’s estate; to Jill Sheridan and to Prof Michael White from Department of History of Art, University of York who has been a major force of good in making this project happen.
The sculpture was only just installed but we already have so many plans with it and we can’t wait for the public and our wonderful students to see the work in situ when the semester starts.
We are grateful for the brilliant installation work delivered by Alconleigh Fine Art Service 🙏💖

We will be providing more updates and details soon so watch this space!

Huge thanks to Gary Brannan Gary Brannan & Borthwick Institute for Archives for making this dream a reality! 🙏💕

09/08/2026

Our next free guided tour is Thursday 13th August at 6:30pm - come to Heslington Hall and see the exhibition with its curators and hear all about the making of the show! Book your free ticket following the link 🥰

Join a guided tour at Heslington Hall Art Gallery celebrating the life and artwork of renowned York painter and printmaker John Langton.

06/08/2026

Free Guided tours now available to book! Come and hear all about the making of our latest exhibition with the curatorial team Dr Helena Cox from Borthwick Institute for Archives and Prof Michael White from Department of History of Art, University of York! You will hear behind the scenes stories from making the show as well as insights into the life and work of John Langton, one of York’s most beloved modern artists!
The tours take place on 13 August, 26 August and 24 September, all from 6:30 pm.
Book your free place via Eventbrite - ALL WELCOME!

Join a guided tour at Heslington Hall Art Gallery celebrating the life and artwork of renowned York painter and printmaker John Langton.

26/07/2026

It's wonderful to see our new exhibition featured in The Press in York! "John Langton: Slow Surfacing" is free and open to all, situated in the gorgeous historic Heslington Hall on University of York campus West. The exhibition is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and while visiting the Hall, you can also see several indoor and outdoor sculptures, including Barbara Hepworth's "Antiphon", one of the most striking sculptures from the University Art Collection, alongside other displays such a fashion display and 18th century art display - a lot to see in one place!
The exhibition will be up until 31 October, and we will be announcing some free guided tours soon so keep an eye out!

For access info see: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/campus/art/

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/26288271.heslington-hall-gallery-hosts-exhibition-john-langton/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTSq5VleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeKPs8fkpJ8Xe2_0OT3UogmwhSd3bJxKv_HJ3W-V_PRvoVTTRgei3FIpj1vz4_aem_HR2BVBLIsiiGYX4TruLKqg

A new art gallery has opened its doors with a major exhibition titled Slow Surfacing, which celebrates the international career of John Langton.

13/06/2026

We’re very excited to announce the upcoming exhibition coming to Heslington Hall Art Gallery:

John Langton: Slow Surfacing
Celebrating Modern Painting in York

Open to the public from 19 June - 31 October 2026

The exhibition celebrates John Langton (1932-2025), a renowned painter and printmaker. Langton became the UoY’s Artist Fellow in 1978, followed by an honorary doctorate in 1995. Langton’s national and international fame came as a result of his fellowship, which he spent painting on campus.
The exhibition showcases selected highlights from various phases of his work, with the aim of celebrating the modern, progressive artistic style associated with the first decades of the University’s life and its art-collecting activities.The title relates to both his complex painting method and his gradual rise to fame through his association with the university and the cultural life at York.
The exhibition, as mentioned by the Guardian, is presented by the University of York Art Collection and is the first of its kind to be shown at the Gallery.

Over the the first weekend, visitors are invited to visit the artist’s studio in Fulford! The ‘Open Studio’ offers a unique opportunity to see further artwork, meet some of the exhibition team, visit John’s unique studio space and the garden that inspired him: open on Friday 19th, Saturday 20th, or Sunday 21st, from 2pm to 6pm. The Studio is located at 43 Main Street, Fulford.
All are welcome! Bring along friends, colleagues, families - we look forward to welcoming you to the university’s beautiful Heslington Hall and John Langton’s charming studio!
University of York Borthwick Institute for Archives Helena Cox - Curator Gary Brannan Jessica Langton

26/02/2026

Exciting news, we’re working on a new exhibition at the Fairhurst Gallery at the university Library! This solo exhibition of the York based artist Matthew Herring will reflect on the portrayal of war and conflict in the media and offer a painterly response to photographs from areas of conflict. The way Matthew’s works are installed is part of his artistic vision so although some of the works have been shown in exhibitions around the UK, the particular installation of the works in our gallery is unique and designed by Matthew himself!

Keep an eye out for further details, we will be announcing the launch date soon!! 🍾🍷🎉💕

Fairhurst Gallery is located at the ground floor of the university library and is accessible to everyone! If you don’t have a library pass, our lovely colleagues at the reception desk will let you through with a free day pass 🤗💖

10/12/2025

The next episode of “Curator & Keeper - the UoY Art Collection Podcast” drops this Thursday 11 Dec at 4pm!

We were so delighted to welcome our first ever guest from outside of the University of York , The Revd Canon Maggie McLean from York Minster ❤️ interviewed as ever by hosts Keeper Gary Brannan and Curator Helena Cox.

Maggie is the author of a visual pilgrimage tour around the Minster, and one of the first women to be ordained in The Church of England. Tune in from Thursday to hear about the connections between The Minster and the UoY Art Collection, the life-changing power of pilgrimage and how art and culture inspired the first women to be ordained over 30 years ago - and much more!
Find us on Spotify and all major podcasting platforms!