Art centre launches in Durham, UK with light-themed works by Tracey Emin, Dan Flavin

The Light, a new cultural and contemporary art centre, opened this weekend in Durham, northeast England, featuring exhibitions by prominent artists such as Tracey Emin, Dan Flavin, and Chila Burman. The centre occupies a repurposed building that was formerly the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum and Art Gallery. The Light comprises three galleries for temporary and touring exhibitions, a permanent display on the DLI's history, and an ambitious programme of events, with a focus on combining contemporary creativity with local history, science, and technology.

The Light's director, Tony Guillan, emphasizes the centre's vision to blend contemporary art with the region's history, science, and technology. He notes that light serves as "a vehicle of inquiry, and a way of perceiving and situating ourselves in the world," particularly in the context of pressing issues like AI, ecology, and the environment. The centre will also host an "ambitious programme of exhibitions, events, immersive experiences, and new commissions."

The inaugural exhibition, "Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light" (on display until January 17, 2027), curated by Natasha Howes, explores the use of light in art from the 1960s to the present day. Featured artists include Flavin, Emin, Steve McQueen, Olafur Eliasson, Liz West, and Chila Burman. The exhibition includes an interactive commission by Tine Bech and a new work by Katrin Hanusch, which responds to the gallery's architecture using broken laptop screens.

The DLI Museum and Art Gallery closed in 2016 due to high maintenance costs, prompting petitions from DLI veterans' descendants. The Light has been remodeled and extended by award-winning architects NORR, incorporating the building's original 1960s architecture. The £17m investment in the centre is part of Durham's wider 'Durham Innovation District' strategy, with funding from Durham Council, MUSE, and the Arts Council.

The Light's opening comes as a welcome addition to the region's arts infrastructure, replacing the Lumiere Festival, which was closed in 2025 due to budget constraints. The museum has been praised for its inclusive approach to sharing collections and its commitment to social outreach, receiving support from The Art Fund and the London Gallery Weekend.