Ep 03 - Professor Abigail Harrison Moore (Part 1)

Professor Abigail Harrison Moore discusses her personal and professional journey, emphasising the transformative power of education and art history. She reflects on her experiences as a middle-class woman in academia, her 30-year tenure at the University of Leeds, and her unexpected path into art history after initially studying English.

She shares her involvement in community-based projects, particularly those that integrate art history with practical applications. These initiatives aim to make art history accessible and relevant, especially to those from underprivileged backgrounds. She underscores the significance of visual learning and the impact of art history in various settings, including high-security prisons, demonstrating its capacity to provide freedom and value through creative expression and critical thinking.

The conversation explores the intersection of art, culture, and education, and their collective role in challenging and changing perceptions. They discuss the need for education to provide hope and act as a humanistic endeavour, particularly for those from less privileged backgrounds. The episode is a testament to the belief that education, especially in the arts and humanities, produces creative thinkers who can question the status quo and push the boundaries of knowledge.

School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies | University of Leeds