Ferens Art Gallery is offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience Hull’s art collection as they’ve never seen it before. For the first time, the gallery’s collection stores are being brought directly into the public galleries.
Amongst crates, racks, and archival materials, visitors can encounter artworks that have been hidden from the public eye for decades as part of two exhibitions: Fixing for the Future and Into the Stores.
Hull Live was invited down for a preview of the fascinating showcase of artworks, ahead of the first day of opening on Friday, February 13. Freelance curator Nick Rogers gave us a tour, which can be viewed in the video above.
Complementing the exhibitions is a rich programme of behind-the-scenes talks, tours and workshops. Lucia Scalisi, the renowned conservator from BBC’s The Repair Shop, will be giving a special talk on art conservation.
Lucia will share stories and discoveries from her extensive career across museums, galleries, private practice, and international projects, offering a rare glimpse into the world of conservation.
Kerri Offord, Curator of Gallery, said: “This season is a rare chance for visitors to step directly into the world we usually inhabit behind closed doors. Every artwork has a story that extends far beyond what you see on the gallery wall, and the Ferens Unpacked season allows us to share those hidden narratives, the challenges, and the joys of caring for the collection.
“We hope visitors will feel inspired to look closer, ask questions, and join us in imagining what the next century of the Ferens could look like.”
Cllr Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said: “The Ferens has always been one of Hull’s greatest cultural assets, and the Ferens Unpacked season gives our residents and visitors an extraordinary chance to see the gallery in a completely new light.
“By opening up the behind the scenes work that usually goes unseen, we’re celebrating not only the city’s remarkable art collection but also the people who care for it.”
The exhibitions are open at the Ferens Art Gallery from Friday 13 February to Monday 4 May. Find out more here.
All photographs and footage by Donna Clifford for Hull Live