New exhibition celebrates work of beloved North East artist

Tom McGuinness: To Remain in Light will be showing at contemporary art space, Gallerina, in Darlington, County Durham, from November 23 into the New Year, and will include his iconic images of life as a former miner, as well as his sketch books, etchings, lithographs and paintings.

Tom, from Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, died in 2006 aged 79 after enjoying a 60-year artistic career, 36 of them spent working underground.

The exhibition coincides with the dedication of a new space to the beloved County Durham artist at Gallerina entitled The McGuiness Gallery. It will display much of his print work as well as showcasing new and emerging artists.

Tom enjoyed a close relationship with Gallerina’s owner Richard Hindle and his sister, Helen, and the show marks the beginning of the McGuinness family sharing Tom’s work in partnership with the gallery.

Corinne Aspel, Tom’s daughter, said: “My dad had a quiet pride in his work, but he didn’t like being in the spotlight too much; he wasn’t commercially minded. He had a really special relationship with Richard, who understood the value of my dad’s work. He wasn’t pushy and has a lovely way about him and so the pair of them were a good fit.

“Dad was always learning and was keen to try different techniques. It will be lovely to see a really good range of his work at the exhibition from different stages of his life, and for there to be pieces people won’t have seen before. I think it’s going to be very special.

“He was also very encouraging of other people and would have been very happy to know that the new gallery space in his name will be dedicated to showing the work of emerging artists. He was always keen to help the next generation.”

Richard said Tom was a quiet and humble man who was driven to draw, paint and print make every day, celebrating a life spent crouched and twisted in the dark, working on Durham’s 18inch seams.

“His brushwork, his line, use of colour, power and emotion were all unmistakable and this, in part, is what guarantees his place in art history,” he said.

“For many of us above ground, his working life was unimaginable. But Tom would visit darkness and return with light; his work filled with colour, camaraderie and happy memories. To listen to Tom, was to hear of comrades, of community and a strength among men and families. He had a great sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye. For him, these were indeed great times.

“It was such a privilege to work with, and alongside, Tom, and to know him, and since his sad passing, that privilege and trust has continued with Tom’s family. We’re extremely grateful to them for allowing us to showcase his work and dedicate our new space to him.”

· Tom McGuinness: To Remain In Light will run from Saturday November 23 at Gallerina, in Victoria Road, Darlington.