Behold. A collection born from the spirit of Salford itself. The University Of Salford Art Collection awaits us. This collection started in the late 1960s. Back then it was when the Royal Technical Institute gained university status in 1968.
Over time the University Of Salford Art Collection has grown significantly. It now boasts around 900 modern and contemporary works. These pieces are not confined to gallery walls. They are displayed across the campus. You can see them at the New Adelphi Exhibition Gallery. The collection loans pieces to other museums. These loans extend both nationally and internationally.
Early acquisitions focused on post-war British art. This included painting, print-making, and photography. There was a particular emphasis on works connected to Salford. Pieces from Greater Manchester were also prioritised. Later the University Of Salford Art Collection acquired works by the Young British Artists. Expressionist painter Albert Adams also has a special collection here.
Since 2013, the University Of Salford Art Collection has adopted a focused approach. It actively commissions and acquires contemporary work. This is done under three key strands. These interconnected strands are About the Digital, From the North, and Chinese Contemporary Art. Together they aim to tell a “story of now”. The collection commits to sustainability and environment. Artist development and EDI are also important. Most acquisitions are through a “commission to collect” scheme. These commissions often involve key industry partners.
The University Of Salford Art Collection includes works by Rachel Maclean. Thomson and Craighead also feature. Mishka Henner and Christian Marclay contribute to About the Digital. Cao Fei, Li Binyuan and Yang Yongliang represent Chinese Contemporary Art. Sun Xun adds to this strand. L.S. Lowry, Adolphe Valette and Sarah Hardacre showcase From the North. Rachel Goodyear is part of this group. Bridget Riley, Damien Hirst and Gary Hume are part of the Print collection.
The University Of Salford Art Collection actively supports students and alumni. This is done through portrait commissions and a scholarship scheme. Other opportunities are also provided.
The collection has a strong focus on artists from the North of England. This includes Salford’s most famous painter L.S. Lowry. He studied here from 1915 to 1925. His studio was in the Peel Building. It overlooked Peel Park. The Narcia Fitting-Out at the Tyne was purchased in 1971.
Adolphe Valette lived in Manchester. He taught and inspired Lowry. Harold Riley is another Salfordian artist. He is known for portraits of footballers and golfers. He also painted University of Salford Chancellors. The University Of Salford Art Collection holds several of his portraits. They also have his paintings and drawings of Salford and Greater Manchester.
The innovative Manchester Print Workshop donated many works on paper. Kip Gresham and Steve Currie founded it. They also produced prints for established artists like Adrian Henri.
In the late 1950s Albert Adams visited Salford. He was invited by Harold Riley. A generous archive of Adams’ works was acquired in 2012. A selection is on permanent display in the Albert Adams room.
In 2010, the University opened a campus at MediaCityUK. This is a hub of digital innovation. The University Of Salford Art Collection was updated. It now includes works by David Hockney and Gilbert and George. Darren Almond is also featured. Examples from the YBA generation are here too. This includes Gary Hume, Gavin Turk and Damien Hirst.
The University Of Salford Art Collection began to embrace video and moving image works. This includes Telephones by Christian Marclay. Fiorucci Made me Hardcore by Mark Leckey is also part of the collection.
In 2012, the University Of Salford Art Collection achieved Museum Accreditation status. In 2013, a new curatorial direction was implemented. It respects existing themes. It reflects new ambitions for the University. The collecting model shifted to commissioning new works.
The University Of Salford Art Collection initiated key industry partnerships. These partnerships allow greater ambition and wider audiences. The collecting policy focuses on the three key strands. These strands aim to tell a contemporary “story of now”. Chinese Contemporary Art reflects an international outlook. About the Digital considers the impact of digital technology. From the North supports artists in the North of England.
The University Of Salford Art Collection continues to collect works by women artists. They are also beginning to collect non-binary/queer artists. The collection is a resource for learning. It contributes to several modules. The University works with Chancellor Jackie Kay. This brings art, poetry and creativity together.