iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Our latest series of free online art history talks starts up this Thursday 1st October at 19:30! Join artist Carol Sorhaindo and curator Hannah Lyons as they talk about the inspiration behind artwork now on display at the University's Whiteknights campus. collections.reading.ac.uk/art-collecti...

Painted globe with trees and plants against a blue sky, standing on a black plinth in front of a building with windows facing outwards.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

📣 We're looking forward to taking part in the UK-wide Art History Festival! 📣 Join us for a Curator’s Tour focusing on our latest display on women artists and print in the early 20th century. 📆 Tues 6 October, 12-1pm. Free. 🔗 collections.reading.ac.uk/art-collecti... #ArtHistoryFestival2026

An image which states there is a Curators Tour taking place on 6 October as 12-1pm. Above this text is an image of three fowl sat on a branch against a blue backdrop. The image is by artist Kathleen Hale and is a woodcut print.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

We're looking forward to it! Sign-up for tickets below!

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

📢 WHEN: MA Fine Art Exhibition @themerl.bsky.social (17 March – 14 June, 2026) Each year, our staff work with postgraduate students from The School of Art to create and exhibit new work in The MERL's open-access, on-site, storage space. 🔗 Visit now! Or learn more on our Bloomberg Connects guide.

Image of current exhibition of student artwork in The MERL galleries. It depicts eight prints and a television, displaying a film, as well as a text panel. The galleries are open access stores.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

📢 Watercolour Workshop with Linda Saul! 🗓️Thursday 14 May 2026, 12:00 – 16:00. In this workshop, discover how to create imaginative, semi-abstract landscapes using experimental, granulating watercolour techniques. Sign-up: collections.reading.ac.uk/art-collecti... Image Credit: © Linda Saul RWS

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

🚀 Artist in Residence helps pupils draw on cosmic inspiration! ⭐️ We're excited to share that Anurita Chandola FRSA has been appointed as our current Artist in Residence⭐ 🔗 Read our University of Reading Press Release here: www.reading.ac.uk/news/2026/Un...

Artist Anurita Chandola consults an Old Master drawing in the University of Reading Art Collections Study Room.

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Reposted by University of Reading Art Collection

The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) @themerl.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Our friends at @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social return with another online fine art talk this Thursday! Join Professor Conor Carville (University of Reading) for a deep-dive into the University's artworks of James Joyce. Free to join. RSVP: merl.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/con...

merl.reading.ac.uk

Conversations with a Curator: Professor Conor Carville

Join us for a free online talk with Professor Conor Carville on artworks depicting the famous Irish writer, James Joyce.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

📢 Our next series of free online art history talks kicks off again next Thursday 5 February! 🎨 Join Professor Conor Carville as he explores our collection of artwork depicting the Irish writer, James Joyce. 🔗 collections.reading.ac.uk/art-collecti...

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

🎨 It's the final weekend of our anniversary display: 'Paint, Pencil, Print: 10 Artworks for 10 Years' ⏰The display space will be open 10am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm). Entrance via @themerl.bsky.social *** © Saranjit Birdi, 'Self Portrait: Left-Foot', pencil on paper, 2021, UAC/11030.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Last year our History placement student, Kaiden Underwood, wrote a fantastic blog about our most recent acquisition—a woodcut by Agnes Miller Parker (UAC/11932). Follow the link to read more: collections.reading.ac.uk/art-collecti... **** UAC/11932. © Estate of Agnes Miller Parker.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Happy New Year! 💫 Today we have been researching this remarkable drawing of St Catherine, attributed to Flaminio (1624-84) or Francesco Allegrini (1587-1663). Catherine is the patron saint of scholars. Artists typically depict her with a spiked wheel, but here she is debating 50 philosophers!

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Wishing all of our staff, students and followers a restful and joyful Christmas and New Year!🎄 See you in 2026! 💫 *** [Thomas Hofland, A View of Whiteknights from the Park with a Lady Sketching, c.1816, oil on canvas. UAC/10236]

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Take a peek behind the scenes of our Paper Conservation studio with our wonderful colleagues in @uorspeccoll.bsky.social 👀🔍

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Reposted by University of Reading Art Collection

University of Reading Special Collections @uorspeccoll.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

For @exploreyourarchive.bsky.social 's focus week, we're looking at #eyaconservation , with some behind the scenes conservation highlights of James Joyce exhibition prep!

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

🔍 This month, our former placement student, Caitlin Johnson (BA Museum Studies and Archaeology, 2021-2025), provides a closer look into Walter Sickert’s intriguing drawing — featured in our current exhibition ‘Paint, Pencil, Print: 10 Artworks for 10 Years’ collections.reading.ac.uk/art-collecti...

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Missed our recent online talk on Allen Seaby by the fabulous Martin Andrews? Don't worry ... you can catch up on YouTube. Link: youtu.be/cYuBsmK2yP8 [Closeup of 'Magpie' by Allen Seaby. UAC/10860]

Woodcut of a black and white magpie perched on a branch

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Want to terrify an artist for Halloween? Ask them to draw hands! Thankfully Minnie Jane Hardman was up to the challenge. #happyhalloween🎃 [Close-up of 'Study of a hand' by Minnie Jane Hardman, 1883-1889. UAC/10593].

Right hand with fingers extended and finger tips placed on a surface, the little finger raised. The drawing finishes at the wrist.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Those of you who visit Park House on our Whiteknights Campus🍻might be familiar with this evocative landscape painting by our alumni and former Professor, Allen W Seaby (1867-1953). If you want to know more about Seaby and his links to Reading, join our free, online talk next Thurs 6 Nov at 7.30pm!

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Thanks to everyone who joined us last night as we kickstarted our third series of free, online art history talks! Next up is: 📅 Thurs 6 November 🕣 7.30pm 🐦‍⬛Martin Andrews, printing historian, on the work of painter and printmaker, Allen W. Seaby (1867-1963) collections.reading.ac.uk/art-collecti...

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

⚡We're back with 'Closer Look: Conversations with a Curator' — our free, online art history talks!⚡ 📅 Thurs 2 October, 7.30pm - Dr Henrietta Hammant (museum anthropologist and curator) on the explorer and mountaineer, Frederick Spencer Chapman (1907-1971). collections.reading.ac.uk/art-collecti...

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

🏛️ Are you interested in developing a career in museums and galleries? We are looking for a Curatorial Volunteer for 1 day per week. 🖼️ We will help you develop skills in research, collections care, and public engagement. 🔗 For more info, follow the link at: merl.reading.ac.uk/communities/...

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

⭐ Our Curator of Art Collections has contributed three new biographies on women artists for this month's #ODNB update. Read her Introduction and new entries in the link below! 👇 #ODNB #WomenInArt

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Listen to our amazing colleagues at The MERL @themerl.bsky.social on their latest #AbsoluteUnits podcast! 🎧

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

If you've been following us for a while you may have spotted references to Abby, our Curatorial Volunteer. Sadly it's her last day with us. We're so grateful for all her amazing work, which including the most recent Ladybird in Focus display. Wishing her all the best!

Blonde woman standing next to a display case which has the title "Ladybird in Focus: 100 Years On" above it.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

It's #InternationalDogDay 🐶 🔎 Can you spot the dog in this pencil and ink sketch by Allen W. Seaby? ✏️ Read more about Seaby's sketches in our new online exhibition, curated by University of Leicester MA placement student, Cristina Garcia ✨ 👉 collections.reading.ac.uk/art-collecti...

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

🎨🖌️Do you want to create a mural on this wall that celebrates the University of Reading centenary? ⏰ Don't forget that our call for expressions of interest closes this Sunday 17 August, at midnight! 🔗 Follow the link in our bio for more info. #PublicArt #ArtistsMural #UniversityOfReading

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Happy International Cat Day to all who celebrate. [Closeup of 'Tabby Kittens' by George Hooper, watercolour on paper, UAC/10991]. #internationalcatday

Two grey and white kittens sleeping on a blanket.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is abstract and non-figurative art 🎨 We've chosen Mary Hoad's (1908-68) 'Areas of Colour', whose abstract forms our Curator loves! However, we know little about this artist. Can you shed any light on Mary Hoad and her practice? Let us know! 🔍✏️

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Happy Graduation to all of our fantastic University of Reading students!🎓 And so the next adventure begins... (but don't forget to keep in touch!) ✨ [Arthur Stockdale Pope, Alfred Palmer in graduation robes, 1927, oil on canvas, UAC/10056]

Alfred Palmer, First President of the Council of the University of Reading, seated wearing red and white ceremonial graduation robes over a black suit. He gazes out directly engaging the viewer. He is depicted with grey hair and a grey beard against a dark, wood-panelled backdrop.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

💥 We are seeking Expressions of Interest for the design and delivery of a large-scale mural on our Whiteknights Campus💥 🕛 Deadline is Sun 17 August (midnight). 👉🏻 For more info about the application process, follow the link in our bio! #centenarycelebration #publicart #mural #callforartists2025

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

There are over 1,700 accredited museums in the UK. And now we're officially one of them! If you are looking for us today, we are celebrating. 🎉 For more info: www.reading.ac.uk/news/2025/Un...

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

It's the final day of term! ☀️🎓 Congratulations to all brilliant students and staff. We hope you have a brilliant summer ahead and look forward to seeing you again in September!

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Tomorrow we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Whiteknights Studio Trail with a brand new exhibition: ⭐Paint, Pencil, Print: 10 Artworks for 10 Years⭐ Explore a selection of works that mark the growth of our art collection over the past decade. 🗓️Opens 10am, Sat 6 June - visit our website for info!

Print of the heads of an adult and baby peewit facing right on a mustard yellow background. Signed at bottom right corner 'Robert Gillmor'

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Art History in the Archive!🏛️ Today our 3rd year BA Archaeology and Museum Studies student, Zheng Tao Chong, began his volunteer placement with us. We have been working through the University History resources in the Archive and have already found some historical gems!🎨

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

A sneaky look at one of the artworks that's being using in teaching today. We're talking about how and why we acquire artwork. This is one of our most recent acquisitions. [Close up of 'Perth Bridge' by Sir David Young Cameron, 1889, etching on paper. UAC/11596].

Drawing of the spire of a church and a small building with triangular shaped roof surrounded by trees. On the left are two arches which are part of a bridge.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

💥New acquisitions news!💥 We're so pleased to announce that we have acquired 10 drawings by the artist, Deanna Petherbridge, CBE (1939 – 2022). This gift was presented by the Trustees of the Estate of Deanna Petherbridge with @artfund.bsky.social support. collections.reading.ac.uk/art-collecti...

Utopia Contemporanea? is a monumental diptych made by Deanna Petherbridge in 2019. It is drawn in black pen and ink. Each panel is 750 × 1050 mm.

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Reposted by University of Reading Art Collection

The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) @themerl.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Episode #3 of our podcast is here! We speak to documentary filmmaker Dr Shweta Ghosh (University of Reading) about storytelling, good cups of tea, and the links between rural history in England and India. 🔊 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts: merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...

Absolute Units, The MERL podcast. Three giant sheep float in the sky over rural England.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange is 'rural' to celebrate @tulliecarlisle.bsky.social show: 'Winifred Nicholson: Cumbrian Rag Rugs' So we're going to point you to our sister collection @themerl.bsky.social who have *amazing* rural themed artworks, including some #absoluteunits 🐮

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Reposted by University of Reading Art Collection

Reading Museum @readingmuseum.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Today's #OnlineArtExchange theme by @artukdotorg.bsky.social is rural. This oil painting shows the lush green landscape of the Thames below Reading. 🖌️ unknown 19th century artist 🖼️ was displayed over fireplace in the Dreadnought pub for decades before joining our collection 🏛️ object no. 2020.24.1

An oil painting showing the river Thames surrounded by trees, a house on the riverbank and green meadows with cows grazing. From Reading Museum's collection.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Happy Easter holidays to all of our followers! We hope you have a wonderful and restful break 🐰 The University is now closed for the Easter break, so we will be back with you next week! 🐣 [Robert Gillmor, The Running of the Hare, 1992, linocut on paper © the artist's estate.]

A linocut of a running hare, with both stages shown. The hare is depicted in colour outstretched with an outline of the bunched hare interposed. The background is green with lines representing grasses.

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Reposted by University of Reading Art Collection

The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) @themerl.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Episode 2 of Absolute Units is out now! We speak to Dr Hannah Lyons (Curator, University of Reading Art Collection) about what art teaches us about England’s rural past, and why people painted such giant hogs. 🔊 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...

Absolute Units podcast. Three absolute unit sheep hover over the English countryside.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

It's Friday! 🎉🍾 Need to kill the final few hours of work before clocking off at 5pm? Why not read our brilliant new blog on 'Painting Pandoras' by our Art Curatorial Volunteer, Abby: 👉 collections.reading.ac.uk/art-collecti... 'The Light Within the Darkness' © the artist

A colourful artwork depicting a faceless woman at the centre of the composition, surrounded by flames in red, orange, green and blue. Made in egg tempera on paper.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Today's #OnlineArtExchange is #spring!🏵️ And we're sharing 'Spring' by our alumna, Elizabeth A Talbot, commissioned in 2001 for the University of Reading's School of Agriculture. You can hear more about this artwork on our #BloombergConnects app! 🌱 @artukdotorg.bsky.social #Spring © the artist.

Painting of a field of yellow flowers with a blue sky and green trees in the background.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

⭐ We are pleased to announce that we are the recipient of the new GEM Arts Scholars Enriching Lives Grant Programme, made possible through the generous support of the Company of Arts Scholars Charitable Trust ⭐

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

📢 Open today! University of Reading MA Fine Art: Spring Exhibition🎨 We have been working closely with postgraduate students from Reading School of Art and the amazing team @themerl.bsky.social to explore the theme of ‘voices’. 👉Exhibition open until 15 June: merl.reading.ac.uk/event/ma-fin...

merl.reading.ac.uk

University of Reading MA Fine Art: Spring Exhibition - The Museum of English Rural Life

Explore artworks by MA Fine Art students at the University of Reading, responding to the Museum of English Rural Life collections.

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Reposted by University of Reading Art Collection

The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) @themerl.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Tonight! Join us and @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social for our latest free-to-join online talk. We'll be joined by American feminist artist, writer and educator, Linda Stein, exploring her award-winning creative practice. Book now: merl.reading.ac.uk/event/closer...

merl.reading.ac.uk

Closer Look: Conversations with a Curator - The Museum of English Rural Life

Online deep dive into a selection of objects in the University of Reading’s Art Collection, including a Q&A with specialists in the field.

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University of Reading Art Collection @unirdg-artcol.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

📢 We are absolutely delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for the Hallett Independent Acquisitions Award 2025🎉💥🍾 Image: Cornelia Parker, Fox Talbot’s Articles of Glass (all that are left), 2017. Courtesy Cristea Roberts.

Cornelia Parker's print titled Fox Talbot’s Articles of Glass (all that are left)' made in 2017. Courtesy Cristea Roberts. On the top right corner there is a note that states: 'Shortlist Acquisitions Award'

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Art UK @artukdotorg.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

There are thousands of women artists represented on Art UK, have an explore for #WomensHistoryMonth 👩‍🎨 Filter artists by gender, discover our A-Z of women artists, or read features and interviews 👉 buff.ly/EpOPvIv 'Self Portrait' by Barbara Walker (b.1964) © the artist. 📷 Usher Gallery

buff.ly

Women artists | Art UK

Discover artworks, explore venues and meet artists. Art UK is the online home for every public collection in the UK, featuring over 500,000 artworks by over 55,000 artists.

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