A collection of artwork, books and items telling the story of world-famous cartoon character Tintin is inspiring artists at the University of Cumbria.
The items on display at the university’s Institute of the Arts are the inaugural part of a new initiative aiming to make arts research more accessible to students who are developing their talents on courses varying from fine art to creative writing and games design.
The University of Cumbria is collaborating with academics from Leeds Beckett University on the reciprocal Arts Research Field Station project.
New exhibition vitrines, plinths and cases have been installed at the specialised library at the University of Cumbria’s Institute of the Arts in Brampton Road, Carlisle.
They allow for arts researchers from Leeds Beckett University to display their work for Cumbrian students to devour and enjoy. Research exhibits are accompanied printed information, materials and free books that students can keep.
Professor Robert Williams and Claire Stewart lead the field station project at the Brampton Road campus, a site on the route of Hadrian’s Wall that has a rich history of delivering high-quality arts education.
They are working in partnership with Professor Simon Morris, from Leeds Beckett University.
Arts researcher Steven Gerrard’s project about Herge’s Tintin is the first of four three-month long presentations. Others to follow explore Diagrammatic Writing from Joanna Leah Geldard, a biographical work about early twentieth-century cinematist Harry Sanders by Professor Robert Shail, and The Etiquette of the Arms Trade by Jill Gibbons.
A twinned research station at Leeds Beckett University’s city campus at Broadcasting Place will be available for researchers from the Institute of the Arts in Carlisle to participate in reciprocal projects. Early career researchers at the University of Cumbria can submit proposals seeking funding to cover related publishing costs for their work.
Professor Simon Morris recently travelled to Carlisle to deliver a lecture to launch the new arts research field station at the University of Cumbria.
Professor Robert Williams, professor of fine art at the University of Cumbria, said: “Professor Morris’ presentation was an amazing piece of pedagogical theatre, full of wit, controversy and the compelling story of a ferocious dog in the night (a rabid version of Snowy).
“This collaborative Arts Research Field Station between our Institute of the Arts and Leeds Beckett University is a fantastic example of how practitioners can share their research.
“The inaugural exhibition by Steven Gerrard is a wonderful installation for our dedicated arts library, and demonstrates the potential of the field station to generate discussion amongst staff and students. It is a great addition to our research environment.”
The Institute of the Arts offers students and the community an array of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and boasts industry-standard facilities including a 180-seater theatre, radio studios, film and television production equipment and resources for graphic design, illustration and other forms of media, performance and creativity.
Further details are available at an open day taking place at the Brampton Road campus, Carlisle, on April 3. Places can be booked online at www.cumbria.ac.uk.
