The University Gallery was established in 1977 and is now in the Sandyford Building of Northumbria University. The Gallery contains both Gallery North and the Woon Gallery of Asian Art. The gallery hosts exhibitions and events of contemporary painting, sculpture, printmaking and photography as well as showcasing the work of Northumbria University researchers, students, and graduates. For the latest information on our current events, please look at our what’s on page
The Gallery and the collections are an important resource for teaching for Northumbria University programmes including Conservation, Fine Art, Creative Industries Management, Visual Cultures, Fashion, History, and Design.
University Art Collection
The permanent collection was established in the early 1970s and reflects the university’s strong regional, national and international links. The university is also home to two archives – The Charles Simms Archive, and The Norman Cornish Archive. Our permanent collection can be accessed by researchers and students by contacting us here
The permanent art collection is further supported and enhanced by loans from graduates and artists, including the Woon Foundation loan of Asian art and antiquities, which is proudly on display in the Woon Gallery of Asian Art.
Gallery North
Gallery North is a contemporary art gallery which presents exhibitions of both home-grown talent and international artists.
Gallery North opened its doors in January 2009 as an important contemporary exhibition space with vision and great potential; a public space for the free exchange of ideas. The gallery is part of The University Gallery.
As well as regularly changing exhibitions, Gallery North hosts artist talks, symposiums and other events. Takeovers of the Gallery by Northumbria University’s Experimental Studio happen throughout the year.
Gallery North also offers undergraduate and postgraduate Fine Arts students support with their Professional Practice Modules.
The Woon Gallery of Asian Art
The Woon Gallery of Asian Art opened in 2018 and has been created through the generous support of the Woon Brothers Foundation and Northumbria alumnus, Mr Wee Teng Woon.
The Woon Gallery showcases unique historic artefacts from across Asia. The gallery focuses on Buddhist art and the connection between Buddhist objects with culture, religious belief, practice and devotion.
The collection also includes contemporary artwork by celebrated artists such as Damien Hirst, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol. In the Woon Gallery, each object has been selected for its contribution to understanding craft and making.