Launch event to celebrate the official opening of the School’s new home on University Road
Launch event to celebrate the official opening of the School’s new home on University Road
The School will celebrate the official opening of the new building on University Road on Wednesday 8 February, with alumni guest speakers Ingrid Roscoe and screenwriter Peter Morgan, and an exhibition by former Turner Prize winner Elizabeth Price.
Founded as the Department of Fine Art in 1950, the School moved to its new location on University Road in the summer of 2016, bringing us all together on one site for the first time. The sympathetic restoration of this historic building — linked through its architect, Paul Waterhouse, to the architectural style that formed the beginnings of the University of Leeds over one hundred years ago — has enabled the development of a School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies ready for the next one hundred years of excellent teaching and research.
On 8 February, the building will be officially opened at 5.00pm by alumna Ingrid Roscoe, Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire (BA Fine and Decorative Arts; PhD).
We are delighted to welcome as our guest speaker Oscar-nominated screen writer & playwright and an alumnus of the School, Peter Morgan (BA History of Art 1985). Peter is one of the country’s leading contemporary screen dramatists, famed for his films concerning high profile figures from The Queen to Richard Nixon. He is known for shining a light on key moments in history and in 2006 received a Golden Globe for The Queen and a BAFTA in 2007 for the screenplay for The Last King of Scotland. Mr Morgan went on to receive an Oscar nomination in 2009 for his first play, Frost/Nixon. His other film credits include The Damned United, depicting Brian Clough’s 44 day reign as the coach of Leeds United. Peter is the creator and writer of Netflix drama series The Crown which recently won Best Television Series – Drama at the Golden Globe Awards.
Peter will participate in an ‘In conversation’ event with Griselda Pollock, Professor of the Social & Critical Histories of Art, starting at 6.00pm in The Great Hall. This will be followed by a reception back in the School’s new Student Common Room, and a further opportunity to see the exhibition, from 7.00 to 9.00pm.
There will be an opportunity to see a video installation by Elizabeth Price (former winner of the Turner Prize 2012 and PhD Fine Art alumna) in the new Project Space. This exhibition, The Tent, is curated by University Academic Fellow in Fine Art and Curatorial Practice, Sam Belinfante (BA Fine Art 2006).
All are welcome to join us for the ‘In Conversation’ event at 6pm. Booking is essential as places are limited. To reserve a place, please email fincomms@leeds.ac.uk.
There will also be an opportunity for our alumni to visit the new School (including our new studio, workshop and exhibition spaces) and to re-experience the campus throughout the afternoon.
