Shedding light on art as Barnard Castle pupils get creative

LIGHT installations created by youngsters in Barnard Castle are to form part of a public exhibition.

The Witham will play host to this year’s Highlights Contemporary Craft Tour, Luminosity, which looks at light – reflections, images and installations – through contemporary craftwork. Stuart Langley will be one of the seven artists whose work have gone on display. Mr Langley spent two days working with pupils at Montalbo Primary School to help them create their own neon pieces which is also shown at The Witham’s Dispensary Gallery as part of the exhibition.

Mr Langley is well-known for his 2015 Lumiere Durham ‘Wave’ installation. He was also involved with the BRASS festival bandstand project last year at The Bowes Museum.

He said: “The children have been coming up with their own ideas for light installations and they have been thinking about the materials.

It has been nice for them to think of something different other than normal drawing or painting.

“It has been challenging because it is not the easiest of materials to work with but they have been committed to realising their original designs. They have been really enthusiastic and a pleasure to work with.”

During the two-day workshop the children had fun bringing their plans to life using EL wire, a thin copper wire which glowed when attached to a battery pack.

Luminosity opened at The Witham on Saturday, October 14 and is open Tuesday to Saturday every week until Saturday, November 4.

Mr Langley said: “It is a nice way of introducing them to a gallery environment.

“I love working with children. They just say what they think. It is nice for me as an artist to be working with people who don’t have a filter and who are really excited about their ideas. It is refreshing for me.”

Class teacher Dr Felicity Greenwell added: “It has been great for the children to have the opportunity to think outside the box. It has been a really creative experience for them.”

Highlights Craft Tour officer Karen Babayan said: “Luminosity is all about celebrating light and the touring exhibition includes glass, sculptural textiles, film and projection, electronics and neon installations. Five of the participating artists and designer makers are based in the north of England themselves and they’re joined by Statira Jazayeri, a Swedish artist with Iranian roots and Evagelia Hagikala who is originally from Greece.”

Highlights promoter for The Witham Sarah Gent added: “We’ve hosted the Craft Tour in the past and visitors have been stunned by the quality, diversity and impact of the work.”