Preston Park Museum opens light installation celebrating John Walker

Summarised from TeessideLive's report · Updated 24 Oct, 21:38 · Archive

Preston Park Museum has opened Submergence, a large-scale light installation by artists Squidsoup celebrating John Walker's 1826 invention of the friction match.

Preston Park Museum in Stockton has opened Submergence, a large-scale light installation created by international artists Squidsoup. The immersive walkthrough experience features thousands of individually controlled points of light creating ever-changing patterns that surround visitors in a unique sensory experience combining light, colour and sound.

The exhibition celebrates the legacy of Stockton-born John Walker and his 1826 invention of the friction match. According to the museum, Walker's accidental creation transformed everyday life by making portable light and fire available on demand. Squidsoup's work has been shown across six continents, including at Vivid Sydney and Burning Man Festival.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Culture at Stockton Borough Council, said the exhibition offers visitors 'a chance to experience light in a completely different way' while celebrating the invention that 'put Stockton on the world stage'. Submergence will be on display until 7 March 2027.

Read the report

• 20 illuminating images of new exhibition giving Preston Park Museum a special glow upSubmergence - unique light sensory creation - celebrates John Walker's invention of the matchTeessideLive · 24 Oct, 16:20

In this story: John Walker · Preston Park Museum · Squidsoup · Stockton · Stockton Borough Council

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