SUNLIGHT: Roger Ackling. Interviews with artists who knew and were taught by Roger

SUNLIGHT: Roger Ackling is the result of collaboration with, and support from, the estate of the artist and Annely Juda Fine Art, alongside private collectors, artists and academics. Ackling’s impact on many artists was marked by his generosity and kindness, and his legacy continues to be spoken about with great warmth; the voices of many who knew him are captured in this film accompanying the exhibition. Norfolk Museums Service thanks our contributors, partners, sponsors and funders – and, in particular, curator Amanda Geitner – for bringing us SUNLIGHT.

This film accompanies the exhibition SUNLIGHT: Roger Ackling, on show at Norwich Castle in 2024, the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds and the Pier Arts Centre, Stromness in 2025.

Between 2022 and 2024 Amanda Geitner 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, British artist Roger Ackling (1947 - 2014). The aim was to record, in these individuals’ own words, the nature of Ackling’s teaching and to understand the ongoing significance of his work.

Participants: Andrew Bick, Eric Butcher, Tony Cragg, Neil Firth, Hamish Fulton, Maggi Hambling, Dean Hughes, Katrine Herian, Richard Long, David Nash, Louis Nixon, John Riddy, Carol Robertson, Gordon Senior, Trevor Sutton, Damian Taylor, Jo Volley, Eleanor Wood.

With thanks to the Henry Moore Foundation for the support of this research project and to editors Dr Roter Su, Norwich University of the Arts, and Caleb Holland for the making of the film.