Posts by date: April 2020

The Story of the Headhunters

Last month, we looked at the remarkable Samurai armour that went on display for the Other Worlds: Art of Atomhawk exhibition. Today, I’m going to be investigating another object from this exhibition as well as two others from the World… Read more

John Collingwood Bruce – A Victorian Champion of Hadrian’s Wall and more…

In my role as Librarian at the Great North Museum: Hancock Library I regularly come across the name of John Collingwood Bruce (1805 – 1892). I decided to investigate his story, which provides a fascinating tale of a Newcastle man whose life spanned the majority… Read more

John James Audubon and his Elephant visit the North of England in 1827

In the spring of 1827, an event took place in the north east of England that was a landmark in the related worlds of art and natural history. At this time the charismatic and larger than life wildlife artist and publisher John James Audubon was on a… Read more

My visit to Iraq, 2019, by Andrew Parkin, keeper of archaeology

With the temporary closure of the Great North Museum: Hancock due to Covid-19, visitors cannot physically access our current exhibition Ancient Iraq: new discoveries, which highlights some amazing archaeological stories from that country.  As a museum curator I was lucky enough to visit… Read more

The Hatton Collection: Ten Female Artists

Written by Lizzie Jacklin, Keeper of Art, Hatton Gallery Most art in museum collections was made by male artists, and where female artists are represented, their work is often less well known. This reflects a long history of most art being made, bought and sold by men, something many museums and… Read more