ABBEY HOUSE MUSEUM
Opening Hours
Mon: closed
Tues – Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat: 12 – 5pm
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Last admission: 4.30pm
Address
Abbey Walk
Kirkstall
Leeds
LS5 3EH
Ticket Provider
ABBEY HOUSE MUSEUM
Opening Hours
Mon: closed
Tues – Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat: 12 – 5pm
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Last admission: 4.30pm
Address
Abbey Walk
Kirkstall
Leeds
LS5 3EH
Ticket Provider
LEEDS ART GALLERY
Opening Hours
Mon: Closed
Tues -Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sun: 11am – 3pm
Address
The Headrow
Leeds
LS1 3AA
LEEDS CITY MUSEUM
Opening Hours
Mon: closed (11am – 5pm on bank holidays)
Tues – Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 5pm
Address
Leeds City Museum
Millennium Square
Leeds
LS2 8BH
Ticket Provider
LEEDS DISCOVERY CENTRE
Opening Hours
Visits by appointment/special event only.
Free public store tours are now available by booking in advance. Please call or email us.
Address
Leeds Discovery Centre
Off Carlisle Road
Leeds
LS10 1LB
LEEDS INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM
Opening Hours
Mon: Closed (10am – 5pm on bank holiday Mondays)
Tues – Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat – Sun: 12 – 5pm
Last admission one hour before closing.
Address
Canal Road
Leeds
LS12 2QF
KIRKSTALL ABBEY
Opening Hours
Mon: closed (10am – 4pm on bank holidays)
Tues – Sun: 10am – 4.30pm
Last admission: 4pm
Address
Abbey Road
Kirkstall
Leeds
LS5 3EH
Ticket Provider
LOTHERTON
Opening Hours
Open Daily
Estate opens: 7.30am
Hall: Open (Downstairs only) 10am-5pm
Wildlife World: 10am – 5pm
Estate closes: 7pm
Last entry 45 mins before estate closing time
TEMPLE NEWSAM
Opening Hours
House: Tues – Sun: 10.30am – 5pm
Home Farm: Tues – Sun: 10am – 5pm
Last entry 45 minutes before
THWAITE WATERMILL
Address
Thwaite Lane
Stourton
Leeds
LS10 1RP
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Sculpture and Microscopic Photography
Educational partnerships, Projects & PartnershipsCollections and Contingency is an exhibition of sculpture and microscopic photography by Deborah Gardner, placed in and around the fascinating artefacts and specimens within the store room of Leeds Discovery Centre. This project is part of a new scheme to promote novel collaborations between Leeds Museums and Galleries and the Cultural Institute at the University of Leeds and is supported by Leeds Museums and Galleries/Cultural Institute Cross Disciplinary Innovation Fund.
Cabinet containing microscopic slides in the natural science collection
Deborah’s sculptures on display in the artefact store at Leeds Discovery Centre
I proposed to explore how contemporary art, made in response to a natural science collection can prompt new understanding and insights into the structure, matter and growth patterns of certain specimens. Working with curator Rebecca Machin, I decided to focus my attention on the huge collection of botanical and zoological slide preparations held within dozens of beautiful wooden slide cabinets. The selection of slides range over decades, possibly spanning a hundred years, some highly ornate and decorated with solutions stained with many different colours. Lack of specific data gathered at the time of their making means these slides are not useful for scientific research, yet the range speaks of a fascinating hidden history. Since these slides are rarely viewed and are difficult to show on public tours of the storage space, I decided to reveal the hidden treasures through my artwork.
Deborah’s sculptures on display in the artefact store at Leeds Discovery Centre
Deborah’s sculptures on display in the artefact store at Leeds Discovery Centre
Deborah’s sculptures on display in the artefact store at Leeds Discovery Centre
Using light microscopy at Leeds University with the help of Dr Muhammed Tausif, I printed large digital exposures of examples such as pollen, seeds, bark, leaves and fungi or oyster embryos, crystallised silver and birds’ beaks. Some of the specimens were magnified up to a 0.1 of a millimetre revealing glorious patterns, shapes and colours. These prints were then placed alongside a series of small sculptures made specifically by me for the exhibition.
Many of the sculptures responded to items within the storage racks, such as crystals, corals, fossils and rocks. The art works are placed at points where they indicate what may be contained within more enclosed storage, but also make for surreal and interesting interactions with other elements of the collections. One sculpture, for example, sits on a Victorian plant stand, another wire sculpture inspired by a magnified eucalyptus leaf hangs from a pole holding a parrot, sculptures responding to seeds and coral stand next to the large fish display and another coral inspired work sits between highly decorated vases, whilst elsewhere a taxidermy bear holds a microscopic image in its paws.
Deborah’s sculptures on display in the artefact store at Leeds Discovery Centre
Deborah’s sculptures on display in the artefact store at Leeds Discovery Centre
Deborah’s sculptures on display in the artefact store at Leeds Discovery Centre
Contemporary art interventions with historical collections and natural specimens need not explain or describe what these collected items are, but rather work with them to nudge us to think further of how they were formed, their various characteristics and how closely they relate to artistic making and materials.
By Deborah Gardner, Lecturer at the School of Design, University of Leeds
We run free tours of our artefact store every Thursday at 11am and 2pm. Find out more about Leeds Discovery Centre.