Liverpool university gallery unveils hidden hoard

Jul 9 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

IT’S amazing what you can end up hoarding and forgetting about over the years.

And Liverpool University has managed to stockpile more unusual items than most in its time.

Now some of the more intriguing and unique finds from its collections, from dinosaur footprints to original Lucien Freuds, 2,500-year-old Babylonian calculators and even preserved hippo embryos are now on display to the public – many for the first time – following the opening of the new Victoria Gallery and Museum (VGM).

Housed in the Victoria Building, off Brownlow Hill, it was established in 1892 and inspired the term “red-brick university”.

It is now the new home for art and heritage collections acquired by the university throughout its 100-year history, which has opened as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations.

Heritage curator Leonie Sedman looks after the exhibits in the Tate Hall – the university’s original library, where many recent former students will remember taking exams.

Now, everything from the skeleton of racehorse Manifesto to turn of the century dental equipment – including a pedal-powered drill – is on show there to form a small yet fascinating insight into the pioneering work of many of its schools, from zoology and geography to gynaecology.

Ms Sedman said: “Everything is still being developed, and we are keen for people to make comments and leave suggestions.”

The art collection currently shows work including that of John James Audubon, JMW Turner and Edgar Wright of Derby.

Moira Lindsay, assistant curator for the art collection, said: “The collection is so big, and we really want to show as much as possible, so we will be changing displays every three or four months.

The VGM was officially opened by Princess Anne in May, but opened to the public last week.

It is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10am to 5pm.

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk