See the light: Tracey Emin and Steve McQueen illuminate Durham gallery's revival

A new contemporary art gallery and museum has opened in north-east England, showcasing works by famous artists such as Tracey Emin, Steve McQueen, and Olafur Eliasson. The gallery aims to present art of global importance.

This new venue, known as The Light, is the result of a £17m project to redevelop a museum in Durham. The original museum had closed its doors ten years ago, a decision that led to significant public anger and protest.

Previously, it was called the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Art Gallery. Now, simply called The Light, it opens to the public with a dual focus. One level will present military history in a modern and human way, while the upper floor offers 500 square metres dedicated to contemporary art exhibitions.

The opening of The Light is part of a wider cultural movement in England. This initiative seeks to bring arts and culture to regions that have often felt neglected or overlooked.

Historically, major art institutions like the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead (opened 2002) and Mima in Middlesbrough (opened 2007) were established. More recently, places like Firstsite in Colchester and the Hepworth in Wakefield also opened. However, the development of new, publicly funded regional galleries had slowed considerably until this recent opening.

Tony Guillan, who became the artistic director three months ago, feels his own career path reflects this narrative. He explained that he grew up in the Tyneside area but, like many, left at 18 to pursue opportunities elsewhere, working in London at major institutions like Tate and the Southbank Centre. He always wished he could return but found a significant lack of suitable career opportunities.

Guillan questioned why individuals must leave their home regions to achieve a certain type of career, highlighting that the UK, perhaps more than other European countries, is overly focused on London for many industries, especially the creative and cultural sectors. The development of The Light has been a lengthy process, and it opens in a county where political control has shifted, with the Reform party now holding influence following the 2024 local elections.

Although The Light receives funding from Durham county council, the opening exhibition shows no hesitation in displaying challenging or significant art, including works that explore themes like immigration. Guillan believes art often has a controversial aspect and stated that their role is to create an environment for discussion.

He mentioned that they recently hosted local politicians and corporate leaders, who expressed enthusiasm for the gallery's vision and ambition. This positive reception gives him confidence that The Light will be a space where artistic exploration is fully supported.

The curators expressed their ambition to showcase contemporary art of national and international importance. The first exhibition features notable artists such as Dan Flavin, an American artist known for his work with fluorescent light tubes, and Félix González-Torres, a Cuban-born American conceptual artist who passed away in 1996. One of González-Torres's pieces, his first use of lightbulbs, was created after the loss of his partner, Ross Laycock, to an Aids-related illness, and it serves as a poignant reflection on their enduring love.

Natasha Howes, who curated the opening show, emphasised her effort to include a diverse range of artists, particularly women and those from global majority backgrounds. She noted that many exhibitions are still disproportionately represented by white men.

Howes shared an observation from a festival in Spain where, out of 30 artists, none were women, expressing her disbelief that such a situation is still permitted.