As Southport prepares to glow with the arrival of Lightport, we invite you to take a trip down memory lane to the light‑inspired exhibitions The Atkinson has showcased over the years.
Chila Kumari Singh Burman
Exhibition: Chila Kumari Burman: I Love You Southport
Dates: June 2025 to November 2025
Burman’s joyful work is associated with vivid colour and neon-led impact; the exhibition framed that brightness as identity, creativity and seaside memories.
Born in Bootle and educated at Southport School of Arts and Crafts, Burman channels memories of growing up on the Sefton coast, most famously her father’s ice‑cream van, topped with a Bengal tiger.
David Ogle
Exhibition: First Light
Dates: 2020
David Ogle is a multidisciplinary artist known for using light, sculpture, and drawing to create large‑scale installations. First Light was commissioned for the 2020 Festival of Hope, a youth-led initiative produced by Blaze in partnership with museums to amplify young voices regarding heritage, creativity, and diversity. The 3.1‑metre‑high UV‑activated mixed‑media sculpture was designed to be viewed from outside of The Atkinson, symbolising hope following the COVID‑19 lockdowns.
Zarah Hussain
Exhibition: Zarah Hussain: Light Upon Light
Date: June 2022 to September 2022
The exhibition featured Invisible Threads, a light installation first produced for the Barnaby Festival in Macclesfield in 2018. It is an ever‑changing design with an infinite number of colour combinations, appearing different every time you see it.
This touring exhibition was produced by Gallery Oldham.
Lightport 2026
Light remains one of the most versatile elements in artistic expression and The Atkinson’s exhibitions have demonstrated just how differently artists harness it. Now, we look forward to seeing those same creative principles in action as Lightport transforms the town into an immersive celebration of light.
FAQs
When is Lightport? Saturday 14 – Monday 16 February 2026, 5pm to 9pm.
Do I need a ticket? Lightport is a free event, with no booking or tickets required.
Where will the event take place?
The installations will be in four locations:
- Mermaid Gardens (outside Sainsbury’s)
- Monument Square
- Christ Church Gardens
- Town Hall Gardens (outside The Atkinson)
Find out more information about Lightport here.
Photographed below: (Chila Burman: I Love You Southport, David Ogle: First Light, Zarah Hussain: Light Upon Light)
