The Art of Wellbeing: Blue

‘Parking Space’ by Philip Reeves (Aquatint, 2001)

Each year, the Art Collection’s exhibitions, events and workshops are directly inspired by the research of the University.
During 2021 and 2022 we focus on health and wellbeing under the umbrella title ‘The Art of Wellbeing’.

In this exhibition, we have curated a selection of pieces from the permanent collection, all of which feature the colour blue.

This primary colour has long held a special significance. For some, it might denote sadness or cold. And it is the name for melancholy music in a minor key.
But the calming nature of blue in meditation has been appreciated for centuries. It can be a healing presence, restorative, and harmonious.

Pigments that produce blue have throughout the ages been highly prized  – in jewellery, in porcelain, in body paint, dye for clothes, and for medicinal purpose, in medieval stained glass and - used sparsely -  in the painted Renaissance robes of the Virgin Mary.

Now that blue can be created from a number of synthetic sources, artists have a wide breadth of tones available, (.…ultramarine…cerulean…cobalt...Prussian…manganese…phthalo…delft ..indigo…)

In this exhibition, we invite you to enjoy a variety of works from the University’s permanent collection and to reflect upon your own perception of this colour.
What does blue mean to you?

Two blog posts were written about this exhibition. Please find them at these links:

• Read Friday art blog - Blue
• Read More about Blue