Over 200 pieces of artwork catalogued across LJMU campus

LJMU History of Art and Museum Studies graduate Rhianna Arnold and current student Leah Bartlett worked with the Vice-Chancellors Office, School of Art and Design and Library Special Collections to capture the important artwork on display around the university and preserve it for the future.

The eight week internship saw Rhianna and Lea surveying approximately 233 pieces of artwork and making recommendations to preserve and maximise the collections across both LJMU's Mount Pleasant and City Campus.  

Rhianna Arnold said: 

“Surveying the artworks of the university has been an amazing opportunity to utilise my skills learnt from my time as a History of Art & Museum Studies student. My favourite piece we surveyed was Enigma of Spring by George W Jardine located in the Redmonds Building.  

“The weeks spent exploring the university campus has enabled mass collaboration with each department here at LJMU and it's been lovely to see the keen interest that has been taken in the work of LJMU Special Collections & Archives.” 

Leah Bartlett said; "As part of my internship module within my second year I have been volunteering within the LJMU Special Collections and Archives working on projects and material that I have really come to love so when I saw the internship for cataloguing the university art collection, I knew it would be a great project to be a part of. This opportunity has been incredibly enriching, getting the chance to view the many different wonderful works of art that the university owns, such as a beautiful Japanese floral vase to a cityscape memorial painting."

Emily Parson, LJMU Archivist & Special Collections Librarian said:  

“Rhianna and Leah have produced a highly professional report and inventory of the artwork held by LJMU, including clear recommendations for the future of the collection.  

“This is the culmination of weeks of intrepid exploration and documentation across the university campus, tape measures, cameras and tripods in hand.  The collaboration between departments has worked really well, and here at Special Collections & Archives we have loved working with the interns.” 

 Find out more about LJMU Special Collections and Archives here.