Heslington Hall Public Art Gallery Launches with John Langton Exhibition
A significant new cultural space has opened on the University of York campus, expanding access to modern and contemporary art in the region. The newly established Heslington Hall Public Art Gallery welcomes visitors to its inaugural showcase, marking a notable addition to the local arts scene.
Celebrating Six Decades of John Langton's Art
The gallery's opening exhibition, titled Slow Surfacing, highlights more than sixty years of work by the late painter and printmaker John Langton. Drawn from the University Art Collection and loans from the Langton Estate, the display explores the diverse artistic experiments that defined Langton's international career.
Visitors can view unique pieces reflecting his creative process, including a canvas created through a specialized spray-painting method adapted from ceramicist David Lloyd Jones. The two artists were part of an informal local collective known as the "York Four." Archival photographs and rare documents also capture Langton's dynamic relationship with the campus, such as historic images of the artist improvising a spray-painted canvas to live piano music for students, staff, and residents.
Visiting the Exhibition at Historic Heslington Hall
Housed within the Grade II listed Heslington Hall, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience contemporary works inside a historic architectural setting. The display benefits from close collaboration between University Art Curator Dr Helena Cox, the Langton family, and academic advisors from the History of Art Department and the Borthwick Institute for Archives.
The exhibition is free to the public and runs until 31 October 2026, welcoming visitors Monday through Friday. To plan a visit or explore more local art spaces, you can check what is currently on display at what's on exhibitions, browse other cultural venues via museums list, or find your way using the interactive map view on Musemap (musemap.art).
