Neon features artists who have used or subverted neon lighting in works that resonate with human spirituality and the nature of humanity. Encompassing work that provokes our desire to find meaning, explores our ability to express and communicate through signs, symbols and language and uses food, one of our basic requirements, as an installation material, this exhibition also encourages us to contemplate the nature of sacredness; what we hold valuable, virtuous or significant.
Further information
Science of Neon
Neon lighting consists of narrow glass tubes which are often bent into all sorts of shapes to communicate words or images. The idea behind a neon light is simple. Inside the glass tube there is a gas like neon, argon or krypton at low pressure. At both ends of the tube there are metal electrodes. When you apply a high voltage to the electrodes, the neon gas ionizes, and electrons flow through the gas. These electrons excite the neon atoms and cause them to emit light that we can see. Neon emits red light when energised in this way. Other gases or combinations of gases emit other colours.
See the NEON brochure
- Arts Council England
- Sunderland City Council
- University of Sunderland
- Positive About Disabled People
- Lottery Funded
- Northern Rock Foundation
- VAQUAS
