Curator and Keeper: the University of York Art Collection Podcast

Join Dr. Helena Cox, Gary Brannan and special guest Prof. Michael White on another stimulating journey up the arts; as we talk about careers in Art History; Young British Artists, and why the University Art Collection had an unfortunate run-in with delicious, delicious gravy.Warning: this episode contains Gary doing his impression of Jeremy Clarksonhttps://www.york.ac.uk/history-of-art/people/white/Michael's favourite artwork from the University Art Collection is 'Orange Attack' by Laimonis Mierins (1970) https://artcollection.york.ac.uk/artcollection/artworke1a7.html?id=york:807211

During the last episode, the marvellous Prof Pen Holland outlined what would make her ideal University. We thought it was too good to edit, so here it is in its entirety!

Join Dr. Helena Cox, Gary Brannan and special guest Prof. Pen Holland on another stimulating journey up the arts; as we discuss learning through play, Longboi, and his many adventures since. He is still, officially, dead. https://www.york.ac.uk/biology/people/pen-holland/Pen's favourite works in the University CollectionClive A Jebbett, 'Three Crows' isn't yet online Rex G Jowsey, 'Giant mushroom', 2001: https://artcollection.york.ac.uk/artcollection/artworkcd7b.html?id=york:807175National Play Strategy https://playnation.uk/blog/2025/05/09/play-england-to-launch-10-year-strategy-at-parliamentary-event/Long Boiology york.ac.uk/biology-art-trailLong Boi Memorial https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4q14w34weo#WildflowerHourhttps://bsky.app/profile/wildflowerhour.bsky.socialThe Hive Mindhttps://www.york.ac.uk/about/campus/art/the-hive-mind/https://www.york.ac.uk/anthropocene-biodiversity/news/2025/art-biodiversity-collaboration/

Helena and Gary are incredibly fortunate to be joined this time by the Vice Chancellor of the University of York, Prof. Charlie Jeffery. Dive in for a discussion on art in early 20th-century Europe, LongBoi's effigy, how York is not in any way stuffy at all when it comes to art, and how Gary's mad plan to install several tons of concrete relief work gets the thumbs up - on tape!Charlie's Favourite work from the University Collection:Neil Mason, 'Longboi', 2024: https://features.york.ac.uk/long-boi/

This episode's guest is Laura Yeoman, Access and Digital Engagement Archivist at the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York; along with the newly anointed DOCTOR Helena Cox, PhD (Ebor); and Gary Brannan, who has none of those things. Laura discusses archives, access to collections, and her joyful love of the art of Scottish Artist Joan Eardley. We also discuss potential death by PhD, and an insight into the sort of bickering that 26 miles of walking can give you. Laura's favourite work from the University Art CollectionJoan Eardley, 'Sea and Snow', 1951https://artcollection.york.ac.uk/artcollection/artworka23f.html?id=york:810202

Library-social-media supremo Ned Potter joins us this time, to discuss the power and wonder of social media in art and libraries; ponder on when art is finished or not finished; and challenge YOU the listener to play 'Name The Blue Peter Presenter That Ned's Grandparent Offended'Ned's favourite work from the University Art CollectionGordon Young, 'Singing Stone', 2015https://artcollection.york.ac.uk/artcollection/artworkefd2.html?id=york:853624

University Photographer Paul Shields joins Helena and Gary to talk all things concretey, particularly modernist architecture and his exhibition 'BRUT'. We may also diverge into our love for certain University concrete buildings and debut our new sound effect board....Paul's favourite work from the University Art Collection:Michael Kidner, 'Orange, blue, pink and green no. 2', 1965https://artcollection.york.ac.uk/artcollection/artwork9925.html?id=york:817100

Welcome to Curator and Keeper from the University of York. In this episode, Helena Cox (University Art Curator) and Gary Brannan (Keeper of Archives and Research Collections) attempt to provide some certainty on their own identities, and the nature of the University Art Collection, with variable successGary's favourite work from the University Art CollectionAubrey Williams, 'Heraldry at York', 1961https://artcollection.york.ac.uk/artcollection/artwork121f.html?id=york:808343

A sneak peek at what's ahead!