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Sep 12, 2018 11 tweets 7 min read Read on X
Dr James Ford is the Assistant Curator in a small team caring for the Parliamentary Art Collection. He wrote his PhD on the art and architecture of the Houses of Parliament. James has worked in the Curator’s Office for seven years. #AskACurator

© UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor Image
"What's the oldest object in the Parliamentary Art Collection?"

The statues of medieval kings in Westminster Hall. They were commissioned by King Richard II in 1385 as part of his remodelling of the Hall, which was originally completed in 1099 under King William II #AskACurator Image
I'm often asked what my favourite items in the collection are. So here's my top 3. What are yours? - James #AskACurator
Working under the architect Charles Barry, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin was responsible for the designs of much of the decorative detailing of the Houses of Parliament. Image
The portrait of Pugin was painted in 1845 by Pugin’s friend John Rogers Herbert. Pugin designed the frame. - James #AskACurator

‘A.W.N. Pugin’ by John Rogers Herbert, oil on canvas, 1845
© Parliamentary Art Collection Image
New Dawn by @marybranson commemorates the campaign that led to some women gaining the vote in 1918, and all women in 1928. Image
Unveiled on 7 June 2016, the 150th anniversary of the first mass petition submitted to Parliament calling for women to be given the right to vote. #AskACurator

© Parliamentary Art Collection Image
Last year we unveiled a beautiful portrait of the late MP Bernie Grant, who died in 2000. Drawn in pencil and charcoal by @KOkaforart, the portrait took 180 hours to create. Guyana-born Grant is well-remembered for his passionate work campaigning for racial equality. #AskACurator
Bernie Grant was also known for making his mark in the @HouseofCommons by wearing a traditional Ghanaian cotton robe at the State Opening of Parliament. #AskACurator

'Bernie Grant’ by Kelvin Okafor, pencil and charcoal on paper, 2017 © Parliamentary Art Collection Image
I didn't want go end without mentioning our friends at @PHMMcr. Parliament’s portrait of @HackneyAbbott by Stuart Pearson Wright is currently on loan to the People’s History Museum free exhibition 'Represent! Voices 100 Years On': phm.org.uk/exhibitions/re… #AskACurator. Image
Thanks for reading about our collection and for your questions today. It's been great. I'll do my best to answer anymore, you can check out the rest of this thread to catch up. - James #AskACurator

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More from @UKParliament

Nov 14, 2023
Can you guess what this Parliamentary object is 🔎? #UpClose

Submit your guess ⬇️ A close up photo of round wooden objects with numbers engraved on them.
🤔
...let's have a look #UpClose at the ballot which is drawn at the start of every session in Parliament for Private Members' Bills.

This is a proposed change in the law that is suggested by an MP who isn't a government minister. The balls for the Private Members' Bill ballot are drawn from a glass bowl by the clerk. One ball is being handed to the Deputy Speaker.
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Oct 2, 2020
Are you a university student or graduate planning your first career steps? 👩🏽‍🎓👨🏿‍🎓

The UK Parliament Fast Stream programme for 2021 is now open.

Apply now, and in a year you could start your placement in the @HouseofCommons or @UKHouseofLords.
Looking for a different role at @UKParliament?

We're #hiring a Head of #Conservation #Architecture who can
📐 oversee the strategy for building conservation
🏗️ keep the programme of conservation works up to date
😃 be a great team leader

Apply now 👉🏽 housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/… Head of Conservation Architecture.   £63,716+, 30 days' ann
We're also #hiring a Principal Doorkeeper who can:

🚪 lead a busy team of 22 Doorkeepers
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Apply now 👉🏿 housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/… Principal Doorkeeper.   £38,625+, 30 days' annual leave, Ci
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Sep 24, 2020
📢 Calling all university students and graduates!

Today we're opening the UK Parliament Fast Stream programme for 2021.

Apply now, and in a year you could start your placement in the @HouseofCommons or @UKHouseofLords. The Parliament Fast Stream ...
As a Fast Streamer here, you’ll work with politicians from all parties to scrutinise Government policy and support the UK’s democratic process.

You might manage evidence sessions for a select committee inquiry, or work in the Chambers assisting in the passage of legislation.
It's a challenging role, but you'll be supported every step of the way. And you'll earn £27-30k while you're on the programme.

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faststream.gov.uk/houses-of-parl…
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Sep 18, 2020
Recently we've shared the people, stories, and secret histories behind 150 years of the Palace of Westminster. See what you've learned in our quiz! ⬇️

(🤫 Psst: No one sees your choices, so don't worry about getting it wrong! We'll be back with answers later.)

#Westminster150
1. Which duo built the Palace of Westminster 150 years ago?
2. How was the Great Fire of 1834 started?
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Sep 16, 2020
Today is #AskACurator Day, and we have 3 specialist curators answering your questions on our Parliamentary Art, Historic Furniture and Architectural Fabric Collections! 🖼️🚪🪑

Let's hear your questions and their answers ⏬
First over to our Parliamentary Art expert Melanie 🎨🖼️✏️

💬 "How many works are hidden away in storage? Do they get put on display in rotation?" ❓

80% of our 9,000 artworks are on display - a high percentage compared to many museums. We do rotate the works on display - some are fragile and can only be displayed for short periods. A range of artworks on disp...
Read 19 tweets
Sep 15, 2020
Today is International Day of Democracy 2020 🎉🗳️🗣️ #DemocracyDay2020 #DemocracyDay

Here are five ways you can get your voice heard with UK Parliament ⬇️
1. You can create an e-petition or sign an existing one 📝

Petitions with 10k signatures receive a formal reply from the Government. Those with over 100k signatures are considered for a debate in Parliament.

Search for the issues that matter to you:
petition.parliament.uk
2. You can contact your MP about a cause you feel strongly about 📨

Your MP represents you in the @HouseofCommons whether or not you voted for them. They can ask questions or discuss issues in a debate.

Find your MP by entering your postcode
members.parliament.uk/findyourmp
Read 7 tweets

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