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For almost 50 years, the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum in Aykley Heads shared the stories of (surprise) the Durham Light Infantry and shone a particular spotlight on its heroic efforts during World Wars One and Two. But, in 2016, the lights went out. The venue was forced to shut due to cost-cutting measures and for years afterwards the building was left empty.
Then in March 2024, plans to finally refurbish the museum were given the green light. Over the last two years, the building has been stripped down to its basic structure and almost entirely rebuilt. Now, it’s home to The Light and is set to reopen this August.
The Light will be the first venue in the region dedicated to contemporary art of this scale of national and international importance. It’ll launch with an exhibition titled Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light. The show is all about how artists have used light as a material in extraordinary and unexpected ways. It’ll include works like Tracey Emin’s neon LED signs, Steve McQueen’s ‘Remember Me’ installation and David Shrigley’s animated line drawing ‘Light Switch’. Other featured artists include Chila Burman, Jenny Holzer, Tatsuo Miyajima and Cerith Wyn Evans.
The redeveloped venue hasn’t forgotten its past, though. It will still pay a nod to its historic connection to the Durham Light Infantry through a dedicated DLI gallery. There, visitors will find objects, documents and film footage that tell the story of the regiment.
Karen Allison, Durham county council’s cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street said: ‘The building has always been both a museum and an art gallery and this tradition will continue at The Light. Through exhibitions such as Victory Over the Sun, we will celebrate County Durham’s extraordinary heritage and innovative spirit through spectacular works of art, while providing opportunities for artists to collaborate and for residents and visitors from further afield to enjoy a fun and inspiring day out.
‘By remodelling and extending the existing 1960s building, we have created a modern and dynamic venue capable of hosting world-class contemporary exhibitions. A dedicated DLI gallery, meanwhile, will bring stories from the Regiment to life in ways that have never been possible before.’
Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light will be at The Light from August 22 2026 until January 17 2027. Standard tickets to the exhibition start from £10. Find out more on the website here.
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