'Gamechanger' scanner is one of only a handful in the UK

TONY HENDERSON on a big tecnological upgrade for a university's Conservation of Fine Art Masters programme

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FOR more than 40 years a university's art conservation, design and music programmes operated with an ex-medical X-ray machine.

Now the vintage machine, originally acquired by Northumbria University from Gateshead Hospital in 1978, has been replaced by the latest in art X-ray radiography instruments.

The old machine departs after serving the university's Conservation of Fine Art Masters programme for so many years.

With the new system, conservation specialists can now conduct higher-resolution imaging and examine a broader range of materials, including metals and wood, enabling the study of sculpture and musical instruments alongside easel paintings, textiles and works on paper.

Dr Richard Mulholland, assistant professor on the programme, said: "This new facility brings Northumbria in line with only a handful of UK institutions, including the British Museum and the National Gallery, with expertise and access to radiographic technology. It's a game-changer for research in conservation and heritage science education and research.

"Our students and researchers work on real collection objects, strictly following museum-standard techniques. Our graduates enter the field as art conservators or as heritage scientists and work in major collections worldwide, so this resource will be invaluable."

The course originated in 1976 at the Shipley Art Gallery before becoming an academic offering at Gateshead Technical College, which later became part of Northumbria University.