York St John University students showcase historic Minster treasures at York Hospital   

A new exhibition is bringing heritage and creativity to the walls of York Hospital with a photography showcase of centuries of objects and manuscripts from the York Minster Collections.    

The work is going on public display this week thanks to a collaboration between York St John University, York Minster Collections and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.   

Second year Photography students from York St John University have photographed a selection of historic and rarely seen artefacts from the York Minster Archives and Library. Under the theme Flora and Fauna, the images explore the natural world as represented in ecclesiastical art, textiles, manuscripts and metalwork across centuries, including the world’s first modern atlas.  

The resulting photographs are now on display along the hospital’s main corridor between Junctions 5 and 6.    

Among the photographed items are:    

• Chasuble (1725), believed to be of Portuguese origin  
•  Gold Dupion Stole (1983)  
•  Flowers of the World kneeler (1981), alongside its original watercolour design  
•  Silver Gilt Cup with Jewels (1921)  
•  Green Man Goblet (1984)  
•  The Moral of Flowers by Rebecca Hey (1833) illustrated book 
•  Theatrum Orbis Terrarum by Abraham Ortelius (1570), widely regarded as the first modern atlas
•  Benedicite Stole (1920)  
•  Ingram, item worn over shoulders (1997)  
•  Salver Dish (1698) 

The exhibition is free and open to all hospital patients and visitors, running throughout the summer.   

Dr Christina Kolaiti, Senior Lecturer in Photography at York St John University, said:   

"Over the past 9 years we have developed an ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration with the Arts Team at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We have embedded arts and healthcare in the undergraduate BA Hons Photography curriculum, creating a context for exhibiting students’ work in local hospitals.    

“This year, this partnership introduced a significant opportunity to showcase the positive impact that experiential learning can bring to the local community by documenting artefacts held in the historic collection at York Minster Archive and Library."   

Jen Todman, Photography Technical Demonstrator at York St John University, said:    

"It was a real pleasure to support our students on this unique shoot. The Minster collection is full of remarkable pieces, but one that really stood out was Ortelius’ Theatrum Orbis Terrarum from 1570 — the world’s first modern atlas.    

“It’s an incredible example of early cartographic collaboration, bringing together maps from different parts of the world into one, beautifully illustrated volume. It even includes one of the earliest suggestions of continental drift, which is just mind-blowing for its time.   

“Another highlight was the Benedicite Stole, made in 1920 — the embroidery is so intricate and full of life, with detailed birds and flowers stitched into the fabric.    

“Collaborative projects like this offer our students invaluable experience working with extraordinary artefacts, capturing their detail and significance through the lens, and helping preserve them for future generations."   

Kirsty Mitchell, Curator at York Minster, said: "It has been a real joy to work with York St John University and York Hospital to bring this exhibition together. York Minster is always exploring different ways to share our historic collections with new audiences and we are very grateful to the photography students for their hard work in capturing these special pieces.    

"Being in hospital, either as a patient or as a visitor, can be a difficult experience for lots of reasons. I hope that this unique display can help people experience art and nature, two things which we know are so important for our wellbeing."    

Eloise Ross, Arts Team Project Officer, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:     

"It’s such a pleasure to be showing this collaboration with York St John Photography students and the York Minster Archives. The pictures show a tiny snippet of some of the wonderful treasures the archives have to offer, on the theme for this project Flora & Fauna. The photographs are uplifting, colourful and interesting for people to lose themselves in for a moment as they walk down the corridors of the hospital."   

Griselda Goldsbrough, Art and Design Development Manager, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:  

"It’s been wonderful to work collaboratively with York St John University and York Minster. This partnership has allowed us to share the archives in a meaningful way and offer students a truly unique opportunity to engage with history, art, and health in a real-world context. We are supported by York and Scarborough Hospitals Charity in the programmes we provide and are delighted with the results for patient, staff and visitor benefits."  

Read more about studying Photography at York St John University Photography BA (Hons)

Image shows the student photoshoot at the Minster Archive. Credit: Eloise Ross.