The Talbot Rice Gallery at the University of Edinburgh: Anne Hardy's 'Feelings' Exhibition

This week, our Golden Retriever tour guide, Walter, helps you start your virtual journey to the Talbot Rice Gallery (TRG) at the University of Edinburgh, with a look at its exterior. While only guide dogs (as well as hearing and registered assistance dogs) are allowed inside the Gallery, Walter is always thrilled to spend time exploring the iconic quadrangle at the University of Edinburgh.

Surrounding the quadrangle is the Old College building whose architects over the years included Robert Adam (also known for The Georgian House), William Playfair (known for The Scottish National Gallery and the Playfair Building at Surgeons’ Hall Museums), and Rowan Anderson who designed the Old College dome (he is also known for his work at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Mansfield Traquair Centre). The Talbot Rice Gallery is situated within the Old College building.

The Gallery entrance can be found in the corner of the quadrangle. Once you enter the building, their main entrance is on the second floor.

The Talbot Rice Gallery is the public art gallery of the University of Edinburgh. While it currently showcases engaging contemporary visual art exhibitions, the William Playfair-designed space was also once used as the Natural History Museum of the University. It took on its current role in 1975.

The latest installation at the Talbot Rice Gallery is by British artist, Anne Hardy, and is entitled ‘Feelings’. According to Tessa Giblin, the director of TRG and curator of the exhibition, “Hardy treats the gallery as a found object, extending the influence of sculpture into the fabric of the gallery through light, sound, data and scenography, creating an active environment for a series of sculptural ‘beings’. These new figurative sculptures are formed from an accumulation of cast elements, found materials, armatures and earth drawings, creating an energetic synthesis between the fragility and resilience of the human body, evolving technologies and the remnants of everyday life. Richly detailed and charged with presence, each figure is imagined to have specific energetic qualities”. The result is a fascinating juxtaposition between the Gallery’s historic Georgian architecture and Hardy’s thought-provoking art.

As soon as you enter the Gallery, you encounter the two sculptures, Being (Warrior) and Being (Guardian).

On the other side of the space is Being (Interloper).

Here are some more photos from our visit:

We were quite pleased to find out about the TRG’s commitment to engaging the community through special projects involving schools, community groups, and local prisons. They also ensure more of an inclusive space through family-friendly sessions for wee ones, ‘Sensory Friendly Mornings’, and tours in British Sign Language (BSL).

Please note that the ‘Feelings’ exhibition is on display until the 27^th of September 2026. Admission is free, but we always encourage readers who visit to donate if possible. Visit the Talbot Rice Gallery webpage for more information on how to plan your visit.

After visiting the TRG, why not continue your ‘explore and discover’ journey by joining us on one of our engaging Edinburgh walking tours? Walter and Sami (our human tour guide) would love to show you more of Edinburgh’s amazing architecture as well as share some intriguing historical tales. We offer regularly scheduled tours as well as private walking tour options for a more customised option.

Lastly, if have enjoyed reading this post, you might also appreciate some of our other articles on museums and buildings at the University of Edinburgh- The Anatomical Museum, St. Cecilia’s Hall, and The McEwan Hall.

Until next time- Explore & Discover!

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