Exhibition Space

Welcome to Open Stores, a rare chance to explore what’s usually hidden from view. The Royal Holloway Art and Archive Collections contain thousands of objects, many of which are carefully stored away downstairs and rarely seen. Our stores exist to keep things safe, and to support research and teaching, but they also hold countless stories waiting to be rediscovered. 

For this display, we opened the stores and brought them upstairs – sharing a selection of works that aren’t often on public view. 

Working with students, volunteers, and colleagues from across the university, we asked: Why do we keep the things we keep? Our choices reflect personal favourites, untold stories, overlooked objects, and what we could physically get out of the stores and onto the walls. Together, they offer a snapshot of the collection and of our community and its history. 

The stores aren’t just a physical place. They are a space for thinking, questioning, and rethinking what belongs in a collection. We invite you to consider: what stories do these works tell? Which ones feel familiar and which ones surprise you? What would you add to the collection? 

Admission is free, no booking necessary.