Heslington Hall gallery hosts exhibition of John Langton

Based at the historic Heslington Hall on the University of York campus, the Heslington Hall Art Gallery launched with its inaugural exhibition, Slow Surfacing, which celebrates the international career of John Langton.

The exhibition runs until October 31, 2026, and marks the first public display from the University Art Collection.

The work of John Langton spans more than 60 years and includes a variety of artistic styles and experiments.

Langton became an Artist Fellow at the university in 1978 and was later awarded an honorary doctorate in 1995.

Dr Helena Cox, art curator at the University of York (Image: The University of York)

Dr Helena Cox, art curator at the University of York, said: “Visiting John in his studio for over a year before he passed away was an absolute privilege.

“Our long conversations about creativity inspired this display.

“Because his family travelled from across the world to join us for the launch, it truly felt like his spirit was in the room with us.”

The exhibition includes items on loan from the Langton Estate, as well as a canvas created using a spray-painting method—an approach Langton learned from ceramicist David Lloyd Jones.

The two artists were members of an informal group known as the York Four.

Archival photographs on display capture Langton improvising a spray-painted canvas to live piano music at a York church, performed before an audience of students, staff, and residents.

Other images show his wife, Patricia, standing beside a large ceramic panel that Langton and Lloyd Jones created together, which remains on permanent display at Derwent College.

Dr Cox worked closely with the Langton family to research their private archive and select some of the most striking pieces from his career.

An advisory board, including members from the University of York’s History of Art Department and the Borthwick Institute for Archives, supported the project.

The exhibition runs until October 31, 2026, and marks the first public display from the University Art Collection (Image: The University of York)

Jessica Langton, John Langton’s daughter, said: “Retracing my childhood steps across the UoY campus and seeing my father’s career given new meaning and new context was such a revelation.

“The university campus was a fertile ground in which the seeds of my father’s art career were planted.

“His career, our family, and our academic ambitions flourished there from the UoY’s opening years and onwards through decades.

“To have the chance to rediscover John’s early artworks, discover original documents, photos, catalogues, texts, and collaborate with Helena Cox, the curator, sharing stories and connections that made up John’s rich creative career was an unexpected delight.”

The exhibition is free and open to the public Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.

Three accessible parking spaces are available for blue badge holders, and an accessible entrance.