Installation of The Lumen Permanent Collection by Northern Print
Filming Art Installations is another part of the creative process which I enjoy capturing.
In September 2020, I was commissioned by Northern Print to document the installation of The Lumen Permanent Collection—a curated selection of contemporary prints embedded into the architecture of The Lumen, a striking new building in the heart of Newcastle Helix. The collection showcases work by six accomplished artists: Rachael Clewlow, Sarah Duncan, Katherine Jones, Nick Loaring, Anja Percival, and Eunice Routledge.
What united the collection—beyond its impressive technical diversity—was a shared theme: light. Each artist explored the concept of illumination through their printmaking practice, whether capturing fleeting natural atmospheres, investigating optical phenomena, or layering urban and personal histories.
🎬 My Role: Documenting Process and Place
My task wasn’t just to film the artworks as static objects—it was to trace the stories behind them, and the hands that made them. Working closely with Northern Print, I created a series of short films that captured the installation process, interviews with each artist, and the thinking behind their work.
I approached this project the way I often do: lightweight and agile. No big crew, just a small kit—often a Panasonic GH6or Osmo Pocket 3, depending on space and light conditions—and a strong sense of curiosity. My aim is always to be unobtrusive, allowing artists the space to speak naturally and work fluidly. Filming in working studios, warehouses, and the polished glass atriums of The Lumen brought technical challenges, but also a rewarding visual variety.
🎨 Spotlight on the Artists
Each printmaker brought a unique perspective:
- Rachael Clewlow layered the history of the site—where inventor Joseph Swan once demonstrated his electric lamp—with her own cartographic printmaking process, fusing memory, movement, and science.
- Sarah Duncan delved into astronomical imagery and light-sensitive processes to evoke the sublime in everyday observation.
- Anja Percival explored the soft, atmospheric shifts of interior light and its emotional resonance in enclosed spaces.
- Katherine Jones, Nick Loaring, and Eunice Routledge each brought fresh, tactile approaches to print, making the viewer aware of both texture and tone.
🏢 Art in Public Space
The Lumen building, as part of Newcastle’s Helix innovation district, is a space designed for work, research, and creativity. The decision to commission a permanent collection of original prints—and to embed them within the public and private spaces of the building—was a bold move. It signals that art is not a separate luxury, but a vital part of how we think, work, and inhabit the world.
The project also unfolded in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a reminder that even in times of uncertainty, art has the power to connect us, offer hope, and bring light—literally and metaphorically—into our daily lives.
🎥 Watch the Films
I created six individual artist films and one overall short documentary about the installation, all available through Northern Print’s YouTube channel. Each film acts as both a portrait and a process piece, offering insight into the artists’ working methods, their materials, and the role printmaking continues to play in the North East’s creative identity.
🛠️ Tools and Approach
I kept my setup lean:
- Camera: 4 x Panasonic GH4
- Audio: Rode Wireless GO II for interviews
- Editing: Adobe Premiere Pro
It’s proof that you don’t need the biggest camera—just a strong sense of story, good light, and people who know what they’re doing.
🔗 View the collection and watch the films via Northern Print’s website or my heritage film portfolio.
If you’re interested in documenting an arts commission or curating a film around creative practice, feel free to get in touch. I love working with artists, galleries, and heritage projects to bring untold stories to light.