Newcastle’s Victoria Tunnel, which was once used to transport cargo from one end of the city to the other, will play host to Into The Dark, an exhibition of 12 international artists.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, this is the first time the tunnels, which were built in 1842, have been used as a gallery setting.
The tunnels have been integral to both the industrial success of Newcastle and to the lives of over 9,000 people during the Second World War.
Danny Hughes, gallery and project curator told ArtsCulture: “Our redeveloped warehouse space just off the Newcastle beaten path is base camp for all our activity, two-and-a-half years on we turn our attention to the most ambitious international project we have set our sights on.”
The exhibition will feature new work from the likes of globally renowned graphic designer Shepard Fairey; one of the UK’s most prolific contemporary urban artists D*Face, and Portugal’s humanitarian artistic champion Pedro Matos.
Another shining light joining the Into The Dark project is Faith 47, who projects both gentle and harsh designs through her graffiti.
Candice Tripp also joins the artistic dozen with her oil and ink visions of eerie fairy tales and childhood imagery.
The seminal Hendrik Beikirch is also creating a commissioned piece for the project, undoubtably Beikirch will be employing his idiosyncratic spray-painting technique for the 161-year-old tunnel exhibition.
Australian multi-layer street artist Meggs joins the project alongside Newcastle’s own Hush.
A second Australian joins the line-up in the form of internationally renowned Stormie Mills, who has showcased his work from New York to Tokyo. Will Barras, the painter among the impressive artistic collective, will be joined by UK based Eelus, whose work is crawling with hidden magic and strange creatures.
The final recruit to the collective is Word To Mother, who produces layered paintings using raw found materials.
The artistic event takes place on June 12, when groups of 12 will be escorted Into The Dark for 30 minutes each. For more information visit www.unit-44.com
