Turner in Middlesbrough
What Would J.M.W. Turner Paint in Middlesbrough Today? Share your thoughts and help shape a painting for Middlesbrough Art Week
As Middlesbrough prepares to welcome the Turner Prize this autumn, artist Simon Poulter is asking local people a simple question:
If J.M.W. Turner visited Middlesbrough today, where would he set up his easel?
Presented as part of Middlesbrough Art Week 2026, Turner in Middlesbrough sees Simon Poulter create a large-scale watercolour inspired by locations suggested by the people of Middlesbrough.
Simon Poulter, Wells Next To The Sea Norfolk, 2025.
Turner famously visited the town during the nineteenth century, recording the rapidly changing industrial landscape of the River Tees. Nearly two centuries later, Poulter revisits that legacy by asking local residents to imagine which views, landmarks and hidden corners would capture Turner's attention of Teesside today.
Using traditional watercolour materials and techniques that would have been familiar to Turner himself, Poulter's new work will combine contemporary local knowledge with historic methods of painting, creating a unique portrait of Middlesbrough shaped by the people who know it best.
The finished painting will be unveiled during Middlesbrough Art Week on Saturday 3 October, displayed in a specially designed mobile case that allows visitors to experience the work up close.
Alongside the installation, Simon Poulter will deliver a fascinating illustrated talk exploring Turner's remarkable use of colour and watercolour. Audiences will discover the pigments Turner worked with, how newly invented colours transformed nineteenth-century painting, and why his late watercolours continue to influence artists today.
Whether your favourite view is the Transporter Bridge, Roseberry Topping, the Tees Estuary, Eston Hills, or a street known only to locals, Turner in Middlesbrough is an invitation to think differently about the town and the landscapes we value. To have your say, simply add your favourite location to this survey: https://tally.so/r/6808BY
Simon Poulter said:"Turner was constantly observing the world around him, finding beauty and drama in landscapes undergoing change. This project asks what would capture that same sense of wonder in Middlesbrough today, drawing on the knowledge and perspectives of the people who know the town best."
Turner in Middlesbrough
Saturday 3 October 2026
4:00pm – 6:00pm
Venue to be confirmed
Free to attend. Booking recommended.