Hello, 

Not everyone grows up thinking art is for them. Artlink Hull | 87 Gallery exists to change that. 

On Friday 1 May it was with much excitement that we launched our latest exhibition, Isaac Yeboah’s Daylight Comes Through the Cracks. 

We were joined by over 100 people from our local community to celebrate the artist’s work, with speeches, refreshments and so many good conversations. 

We were also joined by some of our young Photography Explorers participants who practised their newfound camera skills, capturing the event for us.

Recently we’ve been talking about the symbiotic relationship between our visual art exhibition programme and our learning and participation programmes: how one can’t exist without the other, and for me Isaac’s exhibition is a perfect example of this. 

This year we celebrate five years of our Gallery Explorers programme, weekly art classes for children and young people aged 7-16. When asked to share a highlight from the last five years, one of our participants said she enjoyed a session a couple of years ago with an artist called Isaac who showed her what was possible with a simple ball-point pen. She said that it was “amazing” and “had a huge impact” on her.

For every exhibition, we make a film so the artist can share their process and ideas. In Isaac's film, he refers to well-known quote by James Baldwin; “as a child I thought I knew everything. Now I am old I realise I know nothing”.

Isaac has also been part of our Streams community for several years. Streams is a workshop programme facilitated by Jill Howitt and The Critical Fish for anyone over 18, at any point in their creative journey. It supports people to develop critical and creative responses to art, share ideas, network and make new connections: we are also celebrating the launch of the first exhibition of work by Streams artist members in Our Community Gallery space.

In Hull, Isaac has also been a part of the INTER_Change programme at Humber Street Gallery exhibiting as part of Affinity Without Finality, and as part of HARI Review, acting as a gentle reminder of the ecosystem in the city that endeavours to support artists. 

This ecosystem was in full focus over the weekend, with Hull Open Studios taking place. It’s an opportunity for visual artists across the city to open their studio doors, giving people first-hand insight into their practices and process. From galleries, to independently run studios, to individual artists it was a great weekend to be in Hull. 

As part of the day, we offered welcomed over 50 people to an artist-led tour of Isaac’s exhibition and over 100 into the building over the course of the day. Visitors were welcomed by the brilliant HEY Volunteers who told people on Prinny Ave more about our work and encouraged them to pop in on the way to the shops. Always popular, visitors also had the chance to pull their own print with MiscPrint Co - our in-house print studio led by Fraser Briggs. 

Feedback from the day included: 

"Beautiful exhibition. Very emotive - particularly the grief piece. Amazing!"

“Great exhibition and loved visiting MiscPrint Co studio” 

"Very helpful staff, amazing experience. IT MADE OUR BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!” 

"Love the inclusivity and diversity of the venue and the exhibitions/workshops"

"It is a lovely space, thank you for making us feel welcome"

One of our youngest visitors, a 6 year old girl said "I enjoyed it SOOOO much”

At the end of Isaac’s studio film accompanying the exhibition, he says "these are the moments we relish”. We couldn’t agree more. What a weekend. Thanks to everyone across the city who made it possible. 

Daylight Comes Through the Cracks is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am-4.30pm at Artlink Hull | 87 Gallery until 27 June 2026.

Watch the full studio film for Daylight Comes Through the Cracks to learn more about the work and Isaac’s journey through the exhibition process on our website.

Help shape Hull Open Studios for 2027 by providing your feedback here: 

https://uk.culturecounts.cc/s/PoBtM

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