Curations

20th Century Spotlight: University of Stirling

David Saywell, Head of Digital Assets

University of Stirling

The art collection has been at the centre of thinking at the University of Stirling since its foundation in 1967, when the driving force for its development, first Principal Tom Cottrell, ensured that 1% of the cost of each new building was earmarked to decorate it with art. The Collection currently holds over 500 works, with a particular significant group of paintings and sculpture by John Duncan Ferguson and an emphasis on contemporary Scottish paintings and outdoor sculpture. The University continues to uphold the tradition that the collection should be accessible to all who work, study or visit the university.

Artists featured in this Curation: John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961), Barbara Balmer (1929–2017), Elizabeth V. Blackadder (1931–2021), Heather Brennan (b.1944), Pat Douthwaite (1934–2002), Joan Kathleen Harding Eardley (1921–1963), Jean Fleming (1937–1988), Norman Gilbert (1926–2019), Henryk Gotlib (1890–1966), James Hardie (b.1938), and 27 more
38 artworks
Storyline Album Showcase

  • John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961)

    Dinard: The Quay 1931
    John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961)
    Oil on canvas
    H 64.8 x W 54 cm
    University of Stirling
    Dinard: The Quay
    © Courtesy of Culture Perth & Kinross Museums & Galleries.. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Barbara Balmer (1929–2017)

    Little Mausoleums 1979
    Barbara Balmer (1929–2017)
    Oil & acrylic on board
    H 44 x W 54 cm
    University of Stirling
    Little Mausoleums
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Elizabeth V. Blackadder (1931–2021)

    Venice Window 1950s
    Elizabeth V. Blackadder (1931–2021)
    Oil on canvas
    H 101 x W 151 cm
    University of Stirling
    Venice Window
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Heather Brennan (b.1944)

    Talking Shop 1983
    Heather Brennan (b.1944)
    Oil on canvas
    H 123 x W 163 cm
    University of Stirling
    Talking Shop
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Pat Douthwaite (1934–2002)

    Woman in Fun Fur 1970
    Pat Douthwaite (1934–2002)
    Oil on canvas
    H 121 x W 120.5 cm
    University of Stirling
    Woman in Fun Fur
    © the Estate of Pat Douthwaite. All rights reserved. DACS 2025. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Joan Kathleen Harding Eardley (1921–1963)

    Wave Study II 1958
    Joan Kathleen Harding Eardley (1921–1963)
    Oil on board
    H 56 x W 89.9 cm
    University of Stirling
    Wave Study II
    © the Eardley estate. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961)

    Voiles indiennes c.1910
    John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961)
    Oil on cardboard
    H 64.8 x W 55.6 cm
    University of Stirling
    Voiles indiennes
    © Courtesy of Culture Perth & Kinross Museums & Galleries.. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Jean Fleming (1937–1988)

    Garden Wall and Gate
    Jean Fleming (1937–1988)
    Acrylic & mixed media on card
    H 52 x W 69 cm
    University of Stirling
    Garden Wall and Gate
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Norman Gilbert (1926–2019)

    Boy, Girl and Blue and White Bed Mat 1974
    Norman Gilbert (1926–2019)
    Oil on board
    H 75 x W 121 cm
    University of Stirling
    Boy, Girl and Blue and White Bed Mat
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images . Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Henryk Gotlib (1890–1966)

    Seated Girl 1958
    Henryk Gotlib (1890–1966)
    Oil on canvas
    H 100.5 x W 75.5 cm
    University of Stirling
    Seated Girl
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • James Hardie (b.1938)

    Brooklyn Bridge 1: Vertigo 1988
    James Hardie (b.1938)
    Oil on canvas
    H 133 x W 150 cm
    University of Stirling
    Brooklyn Bridge 1: Vertigo
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Anthony Hatwell (1931–2013)

    Bust of Woman Tying Her Hair
    Anthony Hatwell (1931–2013)
    Wood
    H 60 x W 40 x D 27 cm
    University of Stirling
    Bust of Woman Tying Her Hair
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Andrew Hay (b.1944)

    The Wanderer
    Andrew Hay (b.1944)
    Oil on canvas
    H 121.9 x W 91.4 cm
    University of Stirling
    The Wanderer
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975)

    Figure (Archaean) 1959
    Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975)
    Bronze
    H 218.5 x W 129 x D 30 cm
    University of Stirling
    Figure (Archaean)
    © Bowness. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Patrick Heron (1920–1999)

    Cobalt and Indigo in Ultramarine: January 1967 1967
    Patrick Heron (1920–1999)
    Oil on canvas
    H 76.2 x W 120.8 cm
    University of Stirling
    Cobalt and Indigo in Ultramarine: January 1967
    © the estate of Patrick Heron. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Malcolm Hood (1946–2005)

    Wet Landscape 1968
    Malcolm Hood (1946–2005)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 120 cm
    University of Stirling
    Wet Landscape
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • John Houston (1930–2008)

    Dusk 1971
    John Houston (1930–2008)
    Oil on canvas
    H 101.5 x W 203 cm
    University of Stirling
    Dusk
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Joseph Ingleby (b.1962)

    Reservoir Tap 1995
    Joseph Ingleby (b.1962)
    Sheet steel
    H 282 x W 193 x D 211 cm
    University of Stirling
    Reservoir Tap
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Robert Wemyss Innes (b.1964)

    Glamis
    Robert Wemyss Innes (b.1964)
    Oil on board
    H 19.5 x W 19.5 cm
    University of Stirling
    Glamis
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Hironori Katagiri (b.1958)

    21 June 1985 1985
    Hironori Katagiri (b.1958)
    Granite
    University of Stirling
    21 June 1985
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Justin Knowles (1935–2004)

    Two Stainless Steel Forms with White 1969
    Justin Knowles (1935–2004)
    Stainless steel
    University of Stirling
    Two Stainless Steel Forms with White
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Diane Maclean (b.1939)

    Plume 2011
    Diane Maclean (b.1939)
    Coloured stainless steel & stainless steel tube
    H 490 cm
    University of Stirling
    Plume
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • William MacTaggart (1903–1981)

    Crossing the North Sea
    William MacTaggart (1903–1981)
    Oil on canvas
    H 72 x W 97.5 cm
    University of Stirling
    Crossing the North Sea
    © by permission of the artist's family. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Mary Adela Martin (1907–1969)

    Wall Construction 1968–1969
    Mary Adela Martin (1907–1969)
    Aluminium
    University of Stirling
    Wall Construction
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • William Matthews (1885–1962)

    Stirling Castle 1942
    William Matthews (1885–1962)
    Oil on canvas
    H 56 x W 77 cm
    University of Stirling
    Stirling Castle
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • David McClure (1926–1998)

    East Coast Harbour 1967
    David McClure (1926–1998)
    Oil on canvas
    H 68.5 x W 89 cm
    University of Stirling
    East Coast Harbour
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • William Norman McLaren (1914–1987)

    For Biddy 1957
    William Norman McLaren (1914–1987)
    Oil on canvas
    H 12.5 x W 18 cm
    University of Stirling
    For Biddy
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Alastair Milne Michie (1921–2008)

    Blue on Blue 1960s
    Alastair Milne Michie (1921–2008)
    PVA on canvas
    H 122 x W 152 cm
    University of Stirling
    Blue on Blue
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • David Alan Redpath Michie (1928–2015)

    Window with a Telegraph Pole
    David Alan Redpath Michie (1928–2015)
    Oil on canvas
    H 33.5 x W 49 cm
    University of Stirling
    Window with a Telegraph Pole
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • James Morrison (1932–2020)

    Winter Trees 1956
    James Morrison (1932–2020)
    Oil on canvas
    H 75.2 x W 62.5 cm
    University of Stirling
    Winter Trees
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Alberto Morrocco (1917–1998)

    Setting Sun II 1962
    Alberto Morrocco (1917–1998)
    Oil on canvas
    H 104 x W 96 cm
    University of Stirling
    Setting Sun II
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi (1924–2005)

    Forms on a Bow No. 2 1949
    Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi (1924–2005)
    Bronze
    H 50 x W 63.5 x D 18 cm
    University of Stirling
    Forms on a Bow No. 2
    © trustees of the Paolozzi Foundation, licensed by DACS 2025. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Robin Philipson (1916–1992)

    Cool Interior: A Remembrance
    Robin Philipson (1916–1992)
    Oil on canvas
    H 90 x W 120 cm
    University of Stirling
    Cool Interior: A Remembrance
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Margot Sandeman (1922–2009)

    Sheep Resting on the Shore 1997
    Margot Sandeman (1922–2009)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 132 cm
    University of Stirling
    Sheep Resting on the Shore
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Jeffrey Steele (1931–2021)

    Peziza 1965
    Jeffrey Steele (1931–2021)
    Acrylic on canvas
    H 90 x W 120 cm
    University of Stirling
    Peziza
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Michael Tyzack (1933–2007)

    Yardbird 1962
    Michael Tyzack (1933–2007)
    Emulsion on board
    H 121.9 x W 121.9 cm
    University of Stirling
    Yardbird
    © Michael Tyzack, courtesy of Portland Gallery, London. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • George Ralston Wyllie (1921–2012)

    Locomotive Descending a Staircase 1973
    George Ralston Wyllie (1921–2012)
    Bronze
    H 146 x W 48 x D 38 cm
    University of Stirling
    Locomotive Descending a Staircase
    © George Wyllie Estate. Image credit: University of Stirling

  • Clement Young (1922–2005)

    Slip to Me
    Clement Young (1922–2005)
    Acrylic on paper
    H 42 x W 62 cm
    University of Stirling
    Slip to Me
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Stirling

Explore artists in this Curation

View all 37
  • Boy, Girl and Blue and White Bed Mat
    Norman Gilbert (1926–2019)
  • Barbara Balmer (1929–2017), Artist, Self Portrait on a Frosty Friday
    Barbara Balmer (1929–2017)
  • Flowers, Blue Jug
    Clement Young (1922–2005)
  • Self Portrait
    Jean Fleming (1937–1988)
  • Iona
    William Matthews (1885–1962)
  • Wet Landscape
    Malcolm Hood (1946–2005)
  • Tweed Bicycle
    George Ralston Wyllie (1921–2012)
  • Two Forms (Divided Circle)
    Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975)
  • Within Blue
    Alastair Milne Michie (1921–2008)
  • Talking Shop
    Heather Brennan (b.1944)
  • View all 37
View all