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A group of four children and a dog are balancing on a partially submerged wooden raft, using makeshift paddles to navigate a calm industrial waterway. One child is crouched near the front, while the others stand or kneel, appearing focused on steering. On the right, another child sits on a wooden beam near a rusted chain-link fence, absorbed in an object in their hands. In the background, large shipyard cranes, industrial buildings, and a moored vessel loom over the hazy waterfront, contrasting the children’s playful activity with the industrial landscape.
A group of four children and a dog are balancing on a partially submerged wooden raft, using makeshift paddles to navigate a calm industrial waterway. One child is crouched near the front, while the others stand or kneel, appearing focused on steering. On the right, another child sits on a wooden beam near a rusted chain-link fence, absorbed in an object in their hands. In the background, large shipyard cranes, industrial buildings, and a moored vessel loom over the hazy waterfront, contrasting the children’s playful activity with the industrial landscape.

Collection

Since 2006, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art has acquired over 500 artworks by more than 50 artists or artist collectives with a focus on, but not limited to, lens-based media and the North East of England.

Today the collection continues to grow, and is often loaned out across the United Kingdom and selected works are often exhibited in the gallery itself. Explore the collection below with thematic compilations brought together by our curators and special collaborative projects.

Monumental

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art x University of Sunderland Fine Art = Monumental

Monumental is a selection of artworks curated in collaboration with Fine Art students from University of Sunderland each examining monumental structures in their own way.

 

 

A colourful cartoon drawing of a park or outdoor area with houses in the background. Several children and adults are doing various activities like swinging on ropes hanging from a tree, riding a bicycle, and interacting near a stream. The bottom of the image has a thick red border with white text that says

School is not compulsory

Chad McCail

2007

Inkjet print

A black and white image of a rocky, snow-covered mountain range and a valley. The sky above is completely solid black. The image uses negative colours, making the snow look dark in places and the dark rocks look white.

Blackout

Dan Holdsworth

2010

Lightbox photographic print

A dark, black-and-white image of a bare, twisted tree standing alone in a baron landscape. The tree's surface is covered in tiny, sparkling dots, making it look frosted or digital. The sky above is very dark and cloudy.

Pillars of Dawn

Kelly Richardson

2015-18

Photographic prints

Explore Monumental

The Skin We Live In: Portraits from the Collection

 

The Skin We Live In is a curated selection of artworks exploring contemporary portraiture through photography, painting, sculpture, film and printmaking.

A black and white photograph of two people embracing. The view point is from over the shoulder of one person with the back of their head visible and the face of the other leaning into their arm.

Heather & Rene at home, Gateshead, UK

Janina Sabaliauskaitė

2022

Silver gelatin print

A barrel of a cannon points from left to right. The whole cannon has been covered in a shiny pink cloth. A female, also dressed completely in pink, bends at a right angle and sticks her head into the cannon. The cannon and the female are standing on very dry grass.

Love Cannon

Walker & Bromwich

2006

Lambda print

A dimly lit exhibition space featuring two large, angled projection screens. The screen on the left displays a close-up of a singer holding a microphone, bathed in moody lighting with hints of blue and orange. The screen on the right shows a crowd with hands reaching upward, some pointing or gesturing, capturing the energy of a live performance. Overhead, projectors and cables are visible against the dark ceiling. The immersive setup emphasizes a dynamic interplay between performer and audience.

Come Together

Graham Dolphin

2013/2022

Two-channel HD video 16:9, synchronised

Explore The Skin We Live In

Constellations

Constellations is a curated selection of photography from the collection from different artists, all exploring extraordinary worlds.

A bright art gallery with white walls displaying four photographs in a row. The photos show different people and scenes. A gray padded bench sits in the middle of the room for visitors to sit and look at the art. The gallery has tall ceilings with visible metal beams and a dome-like structure visible at the top. Large windows on the right side let in natural light. The space is clean and simple so the focus stays on the artwork.

Untitled Series

Alice Hawkins

2007 – 2009

Lambda prints diasec mounted

A gallery hallway with two large framed photographs on a white wall. The main photograph on the right shows what looks like an old missile launcher or military equipment sitting in a grassy field under a cloudy blue sky. The left photograph shows a misty or foggy scene with water. Both have black frames and wide white mounts. To the right of the main photograph is a small information card. On the left side is a glass door leading to another room with bookshelves. The floor has small paw prints just visible at the bottom of the image.

Rocket Launcher & Invisible

John Kippin

2000 – 1989

Two photographic prints

A section of a café or dining area with a white wall displaying three framed photographs. The one on the left shows several people running or playing outdoors with trees in the background, the one in the middle features a dimly lit interior with vertical bars, and the one on the right shows an indoor swimming pool. Below the photographs are dark chairs around wooden tables, with menus and small lantern-style centrepieces on the tables.

For the Elevation of Man

Michelle Allen

2013 – 2016

Ten photographic prints

Explore Constellations

Spatial Objects

Dan Holdsworth’s sculptural series Spatial Objects is currently on display at City Hall, Sunderland, as part of a long-term loan programme.

A modern exhibition space with brown walls displaying three art pieces. On the left is a glossy red geometric artwork, in the middle is a bright blue geometric piece, and on the right is a screen showing flowers. On the right side of the image, a woman in a green outfit is walking through the space. In the background, there's an information desk with people in white shirts. The space has a high ceiling with glass panels and a polished floor. Near the left wall, there's a small information plaque.

Spatial Object No. 180 and No. 163

Dan Holdsworth

2019

C-Type print + bespoke frame

The lobby of a modern City Hall building. On either side of a central frosted glass panel labeled

Spatial Object No. 17 and No. 38

Dan Holdsworth

2019

C-Type prints + bespoke frames

A bird's-eye view of a modern building lobby with gray stone floors. Sunlight streams through large windows creating bright patterns on the floor. Three round tables with reddish-brown bases are spread out in the space. People gather around two of the tables - one group stands talking while at another table someone works on a laptop. In the upper left corner, there are wooden stairs with a blue wall panel nearby. Plants in black pots sit near the staircase. A person in dark clothes walks across the bright, open space.

Spatial Object No. 166

Dan Holdsworth

2019

C-Type prints + bespoke frames

Explore Spatial Objects

John Kippin: Based on a True Story

John Kippin’s photographic works are currently on display at The Beam, Sunderland, as part of a long-term loan programme.

A bright modern interior. On the white wall to the right, there's a list of place names in red letters, including

John Kippin

Installation view

Photographic prints

A bright, modern interior with a clean design. On the left wall, a list of location names in red text includes

John Kippin

Installation view

Photographic prints

A modern gallery space viewed through a glass wall. On the white wall, a list of location names is displayed in red text, including

John Kippin

Installation view

Photographic prints

Explore Based on a True Story