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helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
Helena Cox
@helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
130 followers 97 following 19 posts
Art Curator at Uni of York overseeing a collection of over 900 artworks. Art historian of Czech, British & Japanese art, Art Nouveau, Victorian art and Pre-Raphaelites. At home in York 🇬🇧- Prague 🇨🇿 - Providence, RI 🇺🇸 - Linköping 🇸🇪
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helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
Helena Cox @helenacoxcurator.bsky.social · Dec 20
We’re no.1 in the UK and no.26 worldwide - SO GRATEFUL to all our listeners ♥️ and to my ‘partner in crime’ the ever brilliant @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social!! We’re already working on future episodes on all things art at @york.ac.uk - stay tuned!!🎉
#UoYArt
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
Delighted to share another essay from my series “Curator’s Diaries”!
This one has a musical surprise in it - make sure you read till the very end! ❤️🎶
#UoYArt
artatyork.bsky.social Art At York - University of York Art Collection @artatyork.bsky.social · 4d
New story from “Curator’s Diaries” is out now on Medium! Have you always wondered about the sculpture on the ramp leading to the Library @uoylibrary.bsky.social? Have a read of why the piece is where it is and how it can uplift your day if you have a proper look at it!

medium.com/@helena.cox/...
The Avocado, or how the longer route often leads to better things
One of the perks of being an art curator at a large university is that you’re never stuck in one place. Here at York, artworks are to be…
medium.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:18 AM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
Always such a delight welcoming students to the behind-the-scenes of our art collection ❤️
artatyork.bsky.social Art At York - University of York Art Collection @artatyork.bsky.social · 29d
Had a great time welcoming postgraduates from History of Art @york.ac.uk to have a closer look at our art collection! Art curator Helena @helenacoxcurator.bsky.social took them on a wild adventure covering everything from collection care to research insights and more! What a joyful morning! #UoYArt
The group of students with professor Liz Prettejohn posing in the photography studio with selected artworks The group of students discussing art at the photography studio with selected artworks Prof Liz Prettejohn in discussion with the students
October 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
I’m so delighted to be launching this new series of essays inspired by artworks form the Uni of York Art Collection! Have a read and let me know what you think 🥰📖 #UoYArt
artatyork.bsky.social Art At York - University of York Art Collection @artatyork.bsky.social · Oct 20
We’re launching “Curator’s Diaries” - a new series of essays / reflections inspired by the Art Collection at @york.ac.uk! Written by curator @helenacoxcurator.bsky.social this first essay focuses on the largest sculpture on campus, and how art can transform our lives.

medium.com/@helena.cox/...
Beyond and Within
How a Sculpture Guided me to Find Hope
medium.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:34 AM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
Being mentioned on a Tech Diff espiode ⬇️ feels like the pinnacle of my career! 😁🥰 My wonderful boss @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social totally blew me away by mentioning me & @artatyork.bsky.social and by talking with such profundity about art on his legendary show!! Life goals achieved 😄 #UoYArt
garybrannan.bsky.social Gary Brannan @garybrannan.bsky.social · Jul 31
And we are BACK BACK BACK! This week: shotgun wielding Dodos, the War Beaver, HIGH ART CONTENT, the invoking of @helenacoxcurator.bsky.social; and a man as a dog punching a solicitor. YES, that’s this week’s HEADY MIX

youtu.be/ibqJM7AirjM?...
Excellent Shaggy fact. ■ Reverse Trivia 3x02
YouTube video by The Technical Difficulties
youtu.be
August 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Reposted by Helena Cox
artatyork.bsky.social
NEW EPISODE is out now of Curator and Keeper - the University of York Art Collection podcast! Tune in and join Dr. Helena Cox, Gary Brannan and special guest Prof. Pen Holland on another stimulating journey up the arts; as we discuss learning through play, Longboi, and his many adventures since.
June 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Reposted by Helena Cox
artatyork.bsky.social
In this episode @garybrannan.bsky.social and @helenacoxcurator.bsky.social talk to @anaspene.bsky.social and the themes range from the interplay of art and biology to bringing creativity into every aspect of life, writing fiction and painting for pleasure- and MUCH more! 😍🦆
Profession Pen posing in the recording studio Gary and Pen laughing away and definitely not demolishing the studio in the process Prof Pen posing with the colouring book of our LongBoiology art trail project Gary in the studio looking dignified as we are getting ready to start the recording
June 27, 2025 at 7:02 PM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
It’s been such an honour to co-host this episode with @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social and talking to the VC Charlie Jeffery! Charlie’s beautiful words about the importance of art for universities as well as for the quality of life in general were very touching for me! Tune in, it’s a powerful episode!
A traditional selfie with Gary, myself and our super guest VC Charlie Jeffery at the podcasting studio on campus. A photo of Gary and Charlie posing in the podcasting studio on campus, looking very smart and sporting some wide smiles as we had such fun recording this episode.
May 12, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Reposted by Helena Cox
artatyork.bsky.social
Join us this Thur 8 May from 3pm at the Spring Lane Building on campus west for the launch of a touring exhibition “The Waterfowl People” on loan from the Fenno-Ugria Society.We are delighted to welcome a delegation from Tallinn who will open the exhibition for us.
ALL WELCOME!!!
Exhibition poster with a photograph of an empty boat on a lake bank. The text reads as follows: THE WATERFOWL PEOPLE LENNART MERI'S FILM EXPEDITIONS 1969-1988 The exhibition launch will take place on Thursday May 8th at 3pm, on the 1st floor of the Spring Lane Building on UoY Campus West. Light refreshments will be provided - ALL WELCOME! Photos form the exhibition of cars parked on the snow with a large flock of deer behind them Snapshot from the installation of the exhibition showing our wonderful text team Mark and Ian hanging the exhibition panels
May 6, 2025 at 1:25 PM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
Enjoyed working on our next exhibition at the Fairhurst gallery and here’s a shout out to Mark Thorpe, our amazing technician, and the uni @york.ac.uk photographer Paul Shields who both did a stellar job installing the display! So thrilled to see more exhibitions coming to life on campus!♥️ #UoYArt
Mark and Paul using their cool laser level to identify the best height of hanging for the artwork during the installation Mark and Paul installing the main intro panel for the exhibition
February 18, 2025 at 8:37 AM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
What a boost to see such positive feedback for our art collection podcast - hurray!!!❤️ Already working on next episodes and a stellar line-up of guests 🤩
Fabulous working with the ever wonderful @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social 🥰 #UoYArt
rhinglis.bsky.social Robyn Cooper Inglis @rhinglis.bsky.social · Feb 14
I cannot recommend this podcast enough - come for the wonderful chat about our gorgeous brutalist campus, and stay for the BONUS Don Brothwell anecdotes. @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social @artatyork.bsky.social thanks for this lovely series, when's the next one out? :)
gbrannanarchive.bsky.social Gary Brannan @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social · Feb 14
For the morning crowd!

Enrich your commute with a stimulating discussion on the merits of brutalist, the demerits of Brut aftershave, and what’s a university photographer actually do then?!

open.spotify.com/episode/1qD0...
February 16, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Helena Cox
garybrannan.bsky.social
Come one, come all! It's me! On another podcast!

Come join me, @helenacoxcurator.bsky.social and our guest, Paul, for talk about concrete and brutalist architecture and photography and MUCH MORE BESIDES

open.spotify.com/episode/1qD0...
February 13, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Helena Cox
gbrannanarchive.bsky.social
Yes! We are BACK BACK BACK with all new content. Come one, come all, for a glorious celebration of Brutalist architecture, photography, and MUCH MORE.

open.spotify.com/episode/1qD0...
February 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
It’s been such a delight to record this latest episode of our Art Collection podcast with the ever brilliant @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social and my wonderful colleague, photographer and curatorial assistant Paul Shields - tune in & make sure you make it to the very end ;-) Loved recording it!❤️ #UoYArt
A triple selfie with me, wonderful Gary and fabulous Paul at the end of our recording which was so much fun as you can see from our beaming smiles! What a vibe working with these guys!
February 13, 2025 at 5:15 PM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
♥️♥️♥️
nedpotter.bsky.social Ned Potter @nedpotter.bsky.social · Jan 15
What makes a misty campus more ethereal? Putting Beck under it, that’s what.
January 16, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Reposted by Helena Cox
artatyork.bsky.social
Happy New Year to one and all! We’ve had a great year and it’s all thanks to YOU - our students, colleagues, friends, collaborators and visitors! ♥️

We love bringing art into all aspects of everyday life at Uni of York!
Here’s to another creative year filled with art, joy and hope!! 🥂🍾♥️

#UoYArt
A composite photo showing highlights from the year, mainly students and collaborators with artworks. In the centre is an image of Greg James holding the art collection catalogue during the unveiling of the LongBoi sculpture earlier in the year. The text reads Happy New Year 2025 from @ArtAtYork
December 31, 2024 at 12:03 PM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
I so hoped to be there in person for the Czexpats annual conference but my flu had other plans; happy to join at least online and hear Czech researchers from all over the globe talk about collaborations between Czech academics and universities worldwide #kps2024
December 20, 2024 at 1:19 PM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
We’re no.1 in the UK and no.26 worldwide - SO GRATEFUL to all our listeners ♥️ and to my ‘partner in crime’ the ever brilliant @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social!! We’re already working on future episodes on all things art at @york.ac.uk - stay tuned!!🎉
#UoYArt
December 20, 2024 at 12:36 PM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
The long awaited day has arrived - our very first episode with the splendid @garybrannan.bsky.social is out now! Tune in and enjoy 🥰🎧 #UoYArt
December 17, 2024 at 6:45 AM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
Overjoyed and humbled to be part of this with the one and only @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social - our new art collection podcast launches on Tuesday! Tune in and get to meet the hosts and hear why we’re so passionate about art at @york.ac.uk! ♥️ #UoYArt
December 15, 2024 at 5:53 PM
Reposted by Helena Cox
artatyork.bsky.social
Exciting times! A brand new podcast about the art collection at @york.ac.uk launches on Tuesday morning! Featuring the phenomenal @garybrannan.bsky.social talking all things art & curating with @helenacoxcurator.bsky.social - Tune in and relax with art, defying the chaos of the festivities! #UoYArt
December 15, 2024 at 5:51 PM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
Happy times installing an exhibition with wonderful undergraduates and a delightful team of colleagues, lecturers and technicians! Jumping for joy to see artworks from @artatyork.bsky.social making such an impact around @york.ac.uk! ♥️ #UoYArt
Joy and glee all around and we’ve just finished installing the exhibition and everyone’s posing with big smiles and excited waves! The group includes undergraduate students of curating from History of Art department, lecturers Erhan Tamur and Amanda Hilliam, a very excited yours truly, technician Mark Thorpe and photographer Paul Shields. The lovely Ian Herrington from Estates is behind the camera. Lovely people, I’m damn lucky to work with them!
December 4, 2024 at 2:24 PM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
So excited to be part of this with the one and only @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social - couldn’t have wished for a more inspiring and creative partner in crime! The first episode of our new art collection podcast will be out soon - can’t wait!! 😍
#UoYArt #UniOfYork
artatyork.bsky.social Art At York - University of York Art Collection @artatyork.bsky.social · Nov 26
Big news- we’re working on a new show: “Curator & Keeper - The University of York Art Collection Podcast” hosted by art curator Helena Cox and the Keeper of Archives Gary Brannan. The first episode will introduce the art collection, curating on campus and more!
#UoYArt @gbrannanarchive.bsky.social
Helena and Gary in the recording studio Gary posing in the recording studio looking thoughtful and elegant Helena posing with the art collection catalogue which is talked about in the first episode
November 26, 2024 at 10:01 PM
helenacoxcurator.bsky.social
Excited to be here and I’m also running this ⬇️ account for my beloved Art Collection at Uni of York so follow and share to find out what university art curators do all day 😁❤️🖼️ #UoYArt
artatyork.bsky.social Art At York - University of York Art Collection @artatyork.bsky.social · Nov 19
Hi Bluesky! We’re the Uni of York Art Collection with over 900 artworks all over campus! We organise exhibitions, commission artists & work closely with students and departments all over the uni! Follow us to hear about our vibrant art offer and see behind the scenes of our collection care! #UoYArt
Group of students looking at paintings on an easel in an art studio Group of students looking at paintings on an easel in an art studio. The painting is a large abstract piece in the style of Jackson Pollock View of the new sculpture of LongBoi by Neil Mason seen from beneath the sculpture looking up towards a night starry sky Group of students looking at paintings on an easel in an art studio , the artwork is large painting in an abstract geometric style.
November 19, 2024 at 12:12 PM