News / 13 May 2025
Illustration students collaborate with the Brontë Parsonage Museum
BA (Hons) Illustration
Second year BA (Hons) Illustration students exhibited a collection of illustrated research documents in collaboration with the Brontë Parsonage Museum earlier this month.
The aim of the documents was to explore and respond to one of the following questions posed by Dr. Rachel Taylor in ‘Illustration and Heritage’ (2024) - How can an illustrator give voice to a historical person? How can an illustrator disrupt an archive or museum? How can an illustrator represent a historical landscape or site?
By visually researching the lives, legacy and works of the Brontës, students were tasked with finding an area of interest to focus their research on, and drive a visual body of work, which was then resolved as a publication.
“Being able to work with a museum on a brief and use their collection to gather research has been really interesting. I feel like it has had a positive impact on my creative practice and what influences I want to use as an illustrator. Going from having a basic understanding of the Brontë's and their work to now having a clearer understanding of their literary impact and how influenced they were by both the natural world and events going on nationally. Having work exhibited at the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth alongside my class has pushed me to be more confident in my practice. Working alongside staff from the museum, classmates and lecturers to set up the exhibition has given me a greater understanding of exhibition curation and layout design, which I want to continue experimenting with more in future projects.”
Hollie Backhouse, BA (Hons) Illustration student
Students have demonstrated how the use of illustration as a practice can be used to highlight and uncover historical people, archives and places, and consider their impact today.
The aim of each research document was to visually communicate their findings and celebrate their shared aims with the Brontë Society - documenting the lives and works of the family, whilst filling in the gaps of their history in new and creative ways.
“My project was about an ordinary woman, Betty Speak, who lived in Haworth in the 19th century. I was interested in what it would have been like to raise a family in a place where 41% of children wouldn't live to their sixth birthday. Having my research exhibited at the Brontë Parsonage Museum meant a lot to me and my project. I think it's nice that a visitor could have looked at my publication, and then walked outside to see the gravestone of the woman who had inspired the work. It was also really nice to see all of the work together; my class is so talented and I'm so grateful to be surrounded by all these amazing, creative people.”
Micheal Geary, BA (Hons) Illustration stduent
Students were heavily influenced by the insightful talks and commentary provided by the Visitor Experience team at the Museum, and would like to highlight the care and consideration that they apply to each and every aspect of the Museum and information provided.
"It was fantastic seeing such an array of responses to the Brontës and their world – we were blown away by the students’ talent and imagination. It was also great for us to get such different takes on what can feel quite a familiar story. We really enjoyed being involved in the project, working with Jonny and Amy and welcoming the students to the museum and we look forward to future projects!’"
Diane Fare (Outreach Officer) and Sue Newby (Learning Officer), Brontë Parsonage Museum