Ferens Unpacked Season

Discover Hull’s art collection as you’ve never seen it before and tell us your vision for the Ferens Art Gallery as we head towards our centenary year in 2027!

Have you ever wondered what curators do or how conservators fix artworks that look as though they are beyond repair? These two exhibitions will delve into the hidden world of the gallery stores and conservator’s studio and reveal what hides behind the scenes.

Exhibitions

A curator looking deeply at a piece of art. He is wearing magnified glasses and a blue lab coat

Fixing for the Future

13 February – 4 May 2026

The conservation of artworks is a unique discipline that requires creativity, painstaking practical skills and extensive scientific knowledge. This fascinating exhibition will present a revealing look at the ‘alchemy’ involved in the conservator’s art by highlighting a diverse selection of recently restored works from the Ferens’ collection. Find out how you can support the gallery to conserve, restore and care for the amazing collections we hold for the city of Hull.

 

An old photograph of a curator holding a piece of artwork out from the racking in the stores

Into the Stores

13 February – 4 May 2026

Explore the stories and secrets behind dozens of works as we bring the collection stores into the public galleries at the Ferens. Amongst the crates and storage racks discover artworks that haven’t seen the light of day for decades, learn how to read a painting like a curator, write your own text labels, and find out how we work to look after the collection for future generations.

 

Events

A picture of a talk at an art gallery. There are people sat in the crowd looking at a screen with paintings projected on them.

Behind the Scenes: Curator Tour

Discover the life of a curator in this exclusive look at the Into the Stores exhibition. Explore rarely seen paintings and drawings from the Ferens’ collection, including works by Rembrandt, Hogarth, and overlooked artists whose stories deserve telling. Enjoy an object handling demonstration and discuss the exhibition’s development with the curators.

Takes place: Wednesday 25 February, 2pm-3pm
Tickets £7.50, booking essential

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Lucia Scalisi stood in front of a lit up sign writing The Repair Shop

Painting Conservation with The Repair Shop's Lucia Scalisi

Join Lucia Scalisi conservator of easel paintings and expert on the BBC1 programme The Repair Shop for an engaging talk about life as a conservator. In this unique glimpse behind the scenes, Lucia will share some exciting stories and discoveries made during her career in museums and galleries, private practice and abroad. Lucia will also give a short demonstration of egg tempera painting, a technique she uses when conserving old master paintings. There will also be time to put your conservation questions to Lucia.

Takes place: Saturday 7 March 2026, 1.30pm-3pm
Tickets £14.95, Booking essential

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A man using conservator tools on a piece of artwork

Behind the Scenes: with Paper Conservator Richard Hawkes

Join Richard Hawkes, Founder of Artworks Conservation, for an insider’s look at preserving works on paper. With over 30 years’ experience restoring watercolours, prints and drawings for museums, Richard will share career highlights and explore new challenges posed by contemporary art.

Takes place: Wednesday 18 March, 2pm
Tickets £7.50, booking essential

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A curator looking deeply at a piece of artwork. He is wearing magnified glasses and a blue lab coat

Pietro Lorenzetti's Christ between Saints Paul and Peter; A Restoration in Context

Larry Keith, Head of Conservation at the National Gallery, discusses Pietro Lorenzetti’s Christ between Saints Paul and Peter (c.1320) — the oldest work in the Ferens collection. Acquired in 2013 and conserved for display in Hull’s UK City of Culture year, this rare Renaissance panel reveals new insights into Lorenzetti’s technique through conservation and research.

Takes place: Thursday 26 March, 2pm
Tickets £12, booking essential

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An art gallery technician is measuring a spot on the wall.

Behind the Scenes: From a Technician’s Perspective

Discover the behind-the-scenes skills of art technicians with freelance expert Andrew Quinn. From planning and measuring to safely packing, moving, and installing artworks, this informal talk and demonstration reveals the precision and care required to protect artworks.

Takes place: Wednesday 15 April, 2pm-3pm
Tickets £7.50, booking essential

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