Latest news with #Hunterian
Glasgow Times
14 hours ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Viking sword among artefacts on display at Dumbarton Castle
The Rock of Ages exhibition, located in the Governor's House, opened following an extensive refurbishment and conservation works to ensure a suitable environment for displaying significant objects. The exhibition features historic objects from the HES collection and loaned items from English Heritage and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum. Viking sword pommel, AD 800-900, on loan from the Hunterian, University of Glasgow (Image: Scott Louden) The exhibition also features a virtual tour of the Castle. Artefacts discovered during a 1970s excavation of Dumbarton Rock are also on loan from the Hunterian Museum. Read more: Man who was found dead at Glasgow flat named This includes iron arrowheads dated around 1300 from the Wars of Independence, silver coins from the reigns of Edward I and Edward II, glass beads, and fragments more than 1,500 years old. The exhibition also includes a replica of a toucan embroidery panel created by Mary, Queen of Scots during her imprisonment in England, an early 19th-century jewellery box thought to have been made by a French prisoner held at Dumbarton Castle during the Napoleonic wars, and three carved stones weighing up to 183kg dating as far back as the 10th century. Iron arrowhead dating from the Wars of Independence (1296-1329), on loan from the Hunterian, University of Glasgow (Image: Scott Louden) Among the loaned items from English Heritage is a 150kg cannonball made to be fired from Mons Meg, a medieval cannon. Stephen Duncan, director of marketing and engagement at HES, said: "This exciting new exhibition will allow visitors to discover the stories of Dumbarton Castle through the historic artefacts discovered there, giving a window into the extraordinary past of one of Scotland's oldest castles. "It is a fantastic experience for anyone interested in exploring 1,600 years of Scottish history." Jewellery box, believed to have been made by French prisoners held at Dumbarton Castle around 1815, Historic Environment Scotland collection (Image: Scott Louden) Paul Neeson, chair of Dumbarton Castle Society, said: "This new exhibition is a welcome addition to Dumbarton Castle. "To be able to display iconic and historic artefacts and interpretation to describe and illustrate the history of these items alongside the long and fascinating history of Dumbarton Castle and the legends associated with it will be a huge boost.'
The National
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Artist's lens brought to bear on impact of austerity
On show at The Hunterian, Assembly was created by acclaimed filmmaker Margaret Salmon alongside residents of Kelvinside and Maryhill. The exhibition includes a film, photographs and sculptures in an installation that will expand over time, inviting local audiences to return to the Hunterian's galleries as materials shift and evolve. Salmon has also worked closely with G20 director Emily Cutts on the development of the exhibition and the new film. G20 is a Glasgow-based initiative focused on providing safe spaces, arts access and opportunities for young people who have experienced trauma. The community ethos of G20 is central to the whole project and G20 participants are directly involved in the exhibition. READ MORE: One-woman play will explore consequences of explosion in extreme sex acts on OnlyFans Dominic Paterson, curator of contemporary art at The Hunterian, said Salmon's work combined 'a commitment to artistic experimentation with a concern for socially and politically important themes'. 'The Hunterian is delighted to be able to support the Assembly project, which brings Salmon's lens to bear on topics close to home for the artist in the Glasgow community she is a part of, and within her own lived experience,' said Paterson. 'Assembly will share the process of making an ambitious film work, with our audiences in real time, gathering new material from Salmon's work with local community participants into the various elements of the exhibition as it proceeds – literally assembling the participants and the resulting works over the exhibition's duration. 'Through film, photography and installation, Assembly will consider how individuals and communities find resilience in the face of economic and social inequality. 'At the same time, it will respond to the practical challenges of making film with limited budgets through DIY methods and collaborative practices.' As well as G20, key collaborators on the exhibition include Amma Birth Companions, Tracyanne Campbell and Donna Maciocia of Camera Obscura, and Sacred Paws. Salmon's previous films have tackled subjects ranging from motherhood to the natural world, feminist economics and the intimacy between couples. Born in New York, but now living and working in Glasgow, her art has been featured in film festivals and major international survey exhibitions including Yokohama Triennale, the British Art Show, Glasgow International, Berlin Biennale, Venice Biennale, London Film Festival and Open City Documentary Festival. Solo exhibitions of Salmon's work have been held in the US and the Netherlands as well as London and Glasgow. Assembly runs until October 19.
The Independent
19-03-2025
- General
- The Independent
Scottish university returns rare Tasmanian shell necklace
A rare Tasmanian shell necklace that was donated to a Scottish university in the 19th century is returning to its homeland, 30 years after the first request for its repatriation. The 148cm-long necklace is believed to have been made by Aboriginal women on the Bass Strait islands, located between Tasmania and mainland Australia. It features elenchus or maireener shells found off the coast of Tasmania, and comes from a tradition of Tasmanian necklace-making that has continued uninterrupted for thousands of years. The necklace is recorded as having been donated to The Hunterian museum at the University of Glasgow by Mrs Margaret Miller of Launceston during a visit to Scotland in 1877. It is one of a number of necklaces to reach European museums during this period, at least 16 of which still remain in UK collections. During the 19th century, shell necklaces were attractive to collectors as cultural and aesthetic 'first contact' items, and the sale of necklaces became one of the few commercial enterprises available to Aboriginal people on the Bass Strait islands. Tuesday's handover ceremony comes 30 years after the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) first requested the item's return. The university refused the initial request in 1995, and then turned down a second request in 2002, saying there was 'no evidence that the acquisition of the Bass Straits necklace was unethical in any way'. However it subsequently agreed to return the necklace, something welcomed by Andry Sculthorpe, a delegate and project manager at the TAC. 'The Hunterian has graciously and with goodwill accepted our claim to our important cultural items,' he said. 'The situation for Tasmanian Aboriginal people since invasion has meant that every cultural piece made by our ancestors is precious and rare and maintains our connection with our culture and identity.' Early examples of shell necklaces are rare and considered a learning resource for present-day makers, and as significant heritage items with links to the past. Jeanette James, an Elder and shell necklace stringer in her community, explained: 'The physical presence of original objects is critical in projects aimed at recovering traditional knowledge to continue practices and rebuild and extend traditional skills.' The sourcing, collecting and stringing of shells is a closely-guarded tradition, passed down through generations of women makers associated with the Bass Strait islands. The intricate and painstaking practice is now acknowledged as a highly skilled and unique Aboriginal art form, though today there are concerns the practice could die out due to a decline in the number of shells due to climate change. Hunterian director Professor Steph Scholten said the decision to repatriate 'set a new precedent'. 'I am glad that we can set a new precedent today: that the University of Glasgow and The Hunterian, amongst a growing number of museums, are open to discussing and acting on repatriation claims,' he said. 'We have come to understand the urgent need for museums in Europe and beyond to address their pasts in equitable ways with originating and diasporic communities.' The repatriation comes alongside the announcement that the remains of an Aboriginal Tasmanian man will be returned by the University of Aberdeen this week.
