New Stories at The Hunterian
At the University of Glasgow, The Hunterian is a dynamic place where art, ideas and public life come together. Through its museums, galleries and collections, it connects people with stories of creativity, discovery and shared human experience while continuing to evolve through new acquisitions and pioneering research.
Like so much of the University’s work that evolution is made possible thanks to supporters like you.
The Hunterian does not have a dedicated acquisitions budget, meaning every new work added to the collection is made possible through philanthropy, partnerships and visitor support. Recent acquisitions by Scottish artists Rae-Yen Song and Caroline Walker show how donor generosity continues to bring new perspectives and new stories into the University’s collections.
Small acts, shared impact
This summer, The Hunterian will acquire Pond, a ceramic sculpture by Glasgow-based artist Rae-Yen Song, made possible through a combination of individual supporters Michael and Bal Kalirai and contributions from visitors to The Hunterian. The acquisition demonstrates how collective giving, at every level, can directly shape the future of the collection.
The work emerged from a fascinating collaboration between the artist and a University of Glasgow microbiologist, using microscopic imagery generated from water samples taken from the pond in the artist’s family garden in Edinburgh. Song transformed these unseen life forms into a sculptural manifestation that feels at once intimate, strange and emerging into new life.
Inviting us to reflect on the hidden ecosystems that exist all around us, the artwork is a reminder that cultural philanthropy too can take many powerful forms. Collectively, acts of generosity of every size have the power to give life to important contemporary voices and public collections for future generations.
One of the most exciting parts of curating contemporary art is recognising the stories that future generations will want to look back on. These acquisitions capture deeply human experiences of connection, anticipation and renewal and philanthropic support makes it possible." Dr. Lola Sánchez-Jáuregui Alpanes, Curator of Art Collections (Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery)
Stories of care and continuity
A second recent acquisition, Preparing for Laurie by Caroline Walker, was made possible through a generous donation from the Cross Steele Family Collection. The painting centres on another kind of beginning, depicting the artist’s mother laying out baby clothes ahead of the birth of Walker’s child, an intimate domestic scene filled with anticipation, tenderness and continuity between generations.
Walker has become one of Scotland’s most sought-after contemporary painters, recognised for work that elevates everyday experiences into scenes of profound emotional resonance. The painting will go on display at The Hunterian from October, giving visitors the opportunity to encounter the work in person.
Together, these acquisitions speak to The Hunterian’s commitment to collecting and curating contemporary Scottish art that bring to life human experience, identity and connection. They demonstrate how collections grow and take new shape through acts of curiosity, care and shared investment in the future.
Through exhibitions, research, teaching and public engagement, works like these become part of the cultural life of Glasgow, thanks to every donor to The Hunterian Collections Fund, whose generosity helps keep art at the heart of learning, discovery and public life.
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Experience the collection in person
From October, visitors will be able to see Preparing for Laurie by Caroline Walker on display at The Hunterian alongside a programme of exhibitions, events and conversations inspired by the collection.