Victory Over The Sun: Encounters With Light at The Light

From the invention of the light bulb to contemporary light art, discover how artificial light transformed the modern world and inspired generations of artists. 

Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light is a major exhibition bringing together spectacular works by leading international artists who have used light as material, medium, subject and metaphor. 

Beginning with a remarkable local story, the exhibition takes the invention of the electric light bulb by Joseph Swan, born in Sunderland in the historic county of Durham, as its starting point. Swan's innovation helped transform everyday life, extending activity beyond daylight and reshaping homes, cities, work and leisure. 

Featuring sculpture and installation from the 1980s to the present day, the exhibition explores how artists have responded to the illuminated world that electric light made possible