Middlesbrough station sets its sights on becoming the most creative in the UK

The railway station has been transformed into a colourful art gallery, with a new exhibition displaying art from across the North East, now on display for all to enjoy.

The station will see a gradual increase in the number of designs displayed throughout the coming months by eight artists, all based in the North East of England, with four from Teesside.

The commissioned artists are Emma Bennett, Ed Carter, Rachael Clewlow, Gareth Hudson and Toby Thirling, Beth Johnson, Keino, Helen Pailing, and Adam Shaw.

Each project will offer a local perspective on the shared history of the station and train travel across the North East and will feature a range of bespoke visual artworks.

Already on display is Rachael Clewlow's 'Tees Colour Register', which is a large-scale installation using light and colour, informed by a series of performative train journeys taken by the artist across the entire Tees Valley rail network.

Other artwork on display includes Adam Shaw's 'Kiosk', Emma Bennett's 'Middlesbrough Moquette' and Beth Johnson's 'Journey'. 

The exhibition was formally opened yesterday (Thursday 26 September) to mark the start of Middlesbrough Art Week and as part of a partnership between TransPennine Express (TPE), who manage the station, Middlesbrough Council and artist-led organisation Navigator North as part of the Most Creative Station programme.

Middlesbrough Art Week, which runs between 26 September and 05 October, will host a programme of free events, critical conversations and creative activities.

The artwork can be found around the station, in the main building, on platform 1 and in the waiting room on platform 2.

The train operator is proud to support its local communities and artists by providing a space to showcase the work.

Kathryn O'Brien, Customer Experience & Transformation Director for TransPennine Express, said, "Middlesbrough Railway Station is a striking and historic building, and we're proud to be showcasing work from local artists during Middlesbrough Art Week and beyond.

"Our station is the perfect location for displaying these fantastic artworks for all to see and I hope that customers passing by enjoy looking at each of the pieces.

"We are committed to the communities we serve and recognise the part we play in helping them to grow, and are delighted to be supporting the arts."

Vicky Holbrough, Navigator North Director said, "We are delighted to be working with TransPennine Express and the station team to deliver this programme. Working closely with the station we will be bringing a further six artists commissions into the building between now and March 2025.

"As the programme unfolds, we are experiencing the positive impact of this innovative project - raising the profile of regional artists, connecting to local heritage, offering a new experience for those living and visiting the town and challenging perceptions about what a station can be."

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "There's been a lot of hard work to make Middlesbrough Station fit for the future and a modern gateway for the town.

"These installations will be the icing on the cake for those passing through and will celebrate our proud heritage. I, like many others, am very keen to see the wider project completed and I'm looking forward to this happening soon."

The event marks the first in a series of artist commissions and residencies for the programme Most Creative Station for Middlesbrough station.

The Most Creative Station programme aims to animate the station with specific artwork and creative intervention and provides opportunities for people to be creative.

The programme will run up to Spring 2025 and forms part of a large-scale project to transform several of Middlesbrough's cultural anchors, including the Central Library, MIMA, The Auxiliary and Platform A with support from The Cultural Development Fund, a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) fund administered by Arts Council England.

Further information about Middlesbrough Art Week can be found here: middlesbroughartweek.com/news/most-creative-station.