LEEDS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY GALLERIES

Celebrate ten years of the Treasures of the Brotherton with a bold reimagining of our collection of portrait busts. Since opening in 2016, Treasures of the Brotherton has introduced over 100,000 visitors to the extraordinary Cultural Collections cared for by the University of Leeds. It is a place to share our curiosity about the world. We've sought to invite conversation, spark inspiration, and explored some of the most important questions of our time. Now in 2026 we ask: Who am I to you? Who am I to you? encourages you to see familiar faces in a new light. Explore identity, representation and public memory through sculpture, rare books and 3D technologies. Encounter life casts, coins and medals that challenge traditional ideas of portraiture. Discover how art and science shape our understanding of people, power and cultural heritage. The exhibition invites reflection on what these objects can tell us about our shared past and present. It also explores the silences and absences that shape who is remembered, and who is forgotten.

Celebrate ten years of the Treasures of the Brotherton with a bold reimagining of our collection of portrait busts. Since opening in 2016, Treasures of the Brotherton has introduced over 100,000 visitors to the extraordinary Cultural Collections cared for by the University of Leeds. It is a place to share our curiosity about the world. We've sought to invite conversation, spark inspiration, and explored some of the most important questions of our time. Now in 2026 we ask: Who am I to you? Who am I to you? encourages you to see familiar faces in a new light. Explore identity, representation and public memory through sculpture, rare books and 3D technologies. Encounter life casts, coins and medals that challenge traditional ideas of portraiture. Discover how art and science shape our understanding of people, power and cultural heritage. The exhibition invites reflection on what these objects can tell us about our shared past and present. It also explores the silences and absences that shape who is remembered, and who is forgotten.

Challenge your expectations in this landmark group exhibition. ‘[uz], [uz], [uz]’ is a celebration of the breadth and vitality of work by artists from working-class backgrounds. It features the work of over thirty modern and contemporary artists who were born in or have significant connections to Yorkshire. Their works range in medium, including painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, installation and film. The exhibition is also a challenge to class-related prejudices and stereotypes. Whilst privileging working-class voices, ‘[uz], [uz], [uz]’ aims not to reduce artists’ practice to their class. Instead, we recognise and celebrate the complexity of their realities and experiences. While some address working-class issues and identity, others do not engage with class in their work. Some deal with form and materiality, landscape, the bodily, or the everyday. Others explore issues around inequality, memory, trauma or tradition. Importantly, the exhibition brings to the fore intersectional experiences. These include Black, Queer, feminist and disabled perspectives. The exhibition also includes selected works from the University Art Collection, many of which are being shown for the first time. Alongside the exhibition, the University has commissioned a new installation for our collection by Leeds-based artist Simeon Barclay (b. 1975). '[uz], [uz], [uz]' borrows its title from a verse in the poem ‘Them & [uz]’ by Leeds-born poet Tony Harrison (1937 – 2025). This poem is a powerful and provocative commentary on class division and cultural exclusion. The [LINK text='Tony Harrison Archive' href='https://library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections/view/537/tony_harrison__writing_them_and_uz'] is held within Cultural Collections & Galleries.

Discover Leeds’ history as a centre for new thinking on art education, through the archive of an artist in the middle of it all. Let us introduce you to artist, writer, and educator, Maurice de Sausmarez (1915-69), and his significant influence on the way we teach art. Through a curated exhibition of his archive, we’ll take you to 1950s Leeds. In the aftermath of World War II, there’s post-war consensus in the need for new hope, new social systems, and new thinking. The city at this time is a dynamic meeting point for artist-educators, engaged in responding to a society changed by war. A Department of Fine Art has been newly created at the University of Leeds. It is led by a man who believes the arts have a vital role to play. He takes an experimental approach to art education, emphasising the development of an artist’s curiosity. He lays the foundations of a distinctive way of teaching that combines art history and theory with art practice. And he is deeply involved in the cultural life of the city and region, with the exchange and debate of new practices. His name is Maurice de Sausmarez. A Continuous Circulation showcases material from the Maurice de Sausmarez Archive, held in the University of Leeds’ Cultural Collections. Exhibited for the first time, this material sheds new light on his critical role in the advancement of art education in England. The display includes writings, artworks, exhibition catalogues, prospectuses, and correspondence with artists. These reveal the personal and professional associations that enabled a circulation of ideas among artists teaching in Leeds. The exhibition is curated by Dr Kerry Harker, Bridget Riley Art Foundation Fellow. The exhibition is generously supported by the Bridget Riley Art Foundation.

Explore virtual reality worlds at the University of Leeds. Join our students as they reimagine historic portrait busts for a new age. This exciting showcase of the innovative work of MA Digital Design Futures students is part of ‘spring up’. It offers an immersive experience that brings history and technology together in extraordinary ways. Using cutting-edge 3D technologies, students have transformed historic portrait busts to bring the University’s collections into interactive digital worlds. Explore these reimagined spaces through virtual reality headsets and haptic glove technology. You will feel and interact with objects in ways never before possible. Experience projects from dynamic games to atmospheric environments. Each one invites you to question identity and representation. You will also discover the stories behind these historic figures. This event is programmed alongside the Treasures of the Brotherton exhibition ‘Who am I to you?’ The exhibition offers a unique dialogue between traditional collections and contemporary creative practice.

Join us in our monthly life drawing class with Gallery favourite, experienced artist and tutor, Rob Oldfield. This workshop is open to everyone, from newcomers who want to take up a hobby through to experienced artists looking to hone their sketching skills. Materials including various papers, pencils, charcoal and drawing boards will be supplied, but please feel free to bring your own too. Rob Oldfield has been leading our life drawing classes since August 2014 and everyone is a fan! Rob is a York-based artist, graphic designer, sign-writer, art technician and tutor. He has modelled for life classes for many years as well as teaching life drawing to his students. As a tutor, Rob encourages, advises and listens so please do come along and take advantage of his skills and experience. Please note this event involves a nude model. Suitable for ages 18+. Cancellations If after booking you find you are no longer able to attend, please let us know via email at: gallery@leeds.ac.uk. Cancellation requests made at least 48 hours in advance of the event start date/time will receive a refund, minus booking fees. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the event start date/time will not be refunded, or in exceptional circumstances, only at the discretion of Galleries staff. Full refunds or equivalent will be given if the event is cancelled.