SUNLIGHT is the first survey of Roger Ackling (1947–2014), celebrating one of the most quietly influential British artists of the late twentieth century. For four decades, Ackling made sculpture by burning lines onto wood, focusing sunlight through a hand-held magnifying glass. Collecting driftwood and discarded materials from the margins, he took little from the world, leaving behind only a wisp of smoke. His process, both sculptural and photographic, transformed sunlight into energy. Within this seemingly simple method, he created work remarkable for its consistency and variation, imbuing found materials with an intense yet delicate presence.

SUNLIGHT: Roger Ackling is curated by Amanda Geitner and is developed in partnership with the Artist’s Estate, Annely Juda Fine Art, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery, the Henry Moore Insititute and the Pier Arts Centre.

Between 2022 and 2024 Amanda Geitner, curator of SUNLIGHT, made a series of in-person interviews as part of her PhD study with Norwich University of the Arts and University of the Arts London. Her research focused on students, artists and curators who had been taught by, or worked with, Roger Ackling. Watch the resulting film below.