From Desire Lines to Identity - Teesside Artist Will Hughes On New Show At MIMA

Ever walked across a park and noticed those little dirt tracks in the grass that cut a corner? The ones that aren't part of the official pavement but are clearly the way everyone actually walks? They’re called desire lines, and they show where people really want to go, not where they’re told to. It’s a brilliant idea, and it’s at the centre of a new exhibition by Teesside artist Will Hughes. Their new work is now on display at MIMA, the Middlesbrough Institution of Modern Art, as part of an exhibition called Desire Lines: Art, Place & Possibilities, and it’s there until April 2026.

Who is the artist behind the work?

The artist is Will Hughes (who uses they/them pronouns), a multi-disciplinary artist from right here in Teesside. Now, ‘multi-disciplinary’ might sound a bit fancy, but it just means they don’t stick to one type of art. Think of it like this: if you wanted to tell a story, you might write it, draw it as a comic, or act it out. An artist like Will Hughes does the same, choosing the best way to get their idea across, whether that’s through sculpture, video, or something else entirely. Their work is all about the big idea first, which is what makes it so interesting.

A lot of their art is shaped by their own life and experiences as a queer, non-binary person living in the UK. It gives them a really unique viewpoint, showing the world through a different lens. And it's clear their work is making an impact. Hughes is one of just five creatives to be named a Tees Valley Artist of the Year for 2025, which is a massive achievement and shows just how important their voice is in the local art scene. This show at MIMA is their solo presentation, even though it's part of a bigger group exhibition, giving everyone a proper chance to see what they're all about.

What are these desire lines all about?

The title of the exhibition, Desire Lines: Art, Place & Possibilities, really sums it up. It’s about looking at a place, like our own towns and cities, and seeing the hidden stories and the different paths people take. It’s about questioning the 'official' way of doing things and celebrating the individual journeys people make. When you think about it, art is a kind of desire line itself – it’s a new path to an idea, a different way of seeing something you thought you knew.

The exhibition encourages people to think about their own relationship with the places they live. Are there stories that aren't being told? Are there different ways to move through the world? For a 12-year-old, it might be about the secret shortcuts you take on the way to school. For an adult, it could be about the bigger systems and rules that shape our lives. The art in this show gives you a moment to pause and consider these other possibilities. And because it's running until April 2026, there’s loads of time to pop down to the Middlesbrough Institution of Modern Art and see it for yourself.

Making a connection through art

Art isn't just something to be looked at; it's about making a connection, a point of contact. The artist has an idea, a feeling, a story, and the artwork is how they share it. It’s a way of reaching out. For that connection to happen, the art has to find its audience. This is where a whole support system comes in, often unseen, working to make that initial contact possible. Think of it like a network of people whose job is to get art out into the world.

This support system, which might be a gallery or a consulting group like Chloe Nelkin Consulting, helps bridge the gap between the artist and the public. It ensures that powerful work, like that of Will Hughes, gets seen. They build relationships and establish a reliable contact point for the creative community. It’s a bit like having a dedicated team you can reach out to; someone like Mia Squire might be the person making things happen behind the scenes. The whole operation is designed to promote art, and you can see how they do it on their website at www.chloenelkinconsulting.com.

Art that starts a conversation

Ultimately, the exhibition at MIMA is about starting conversations. It's about showing that there's more than one way to see the world and more than one story to be told. The art of Will Hughes provides a safe space to think about identity, place, and community. And just like art needs a support system, it also needs to be handled with respect.

The ideas and emotions shared by an artist are personal. In a way, galleries and arts organisations have a responsibility to the artist's story, a bit like how companies are "committed to processing data in compliance with the GDPR". The 'data' here is the artist's vision. The goal is always to make a meaningful contact with the public, not to exploit the trust involved. It's a relationship built on mutual respect, where boundaries are understood; they'll even "remove your contact if requested," ensuring the focus remains on the art and its message. This exhibition is a chance to see a brilliant local artist's work and to maybe discover a new path for your own thoughts to wander down.