There is a general stagnation in the way that the art gallery lighting is designed.
The aim of this thesis is to establish a new direction in the art gallery lighting design by exploring the subject of human centric lighting (HCL). Primary goal of this study is to first analyse the importance of HCL, the relationship between human emotions and lighting and collecting the knowledge from the recent research on the topic.
I also argue about the difference between art gallery and a museum and its consequences for the lighting. Later on I collect the common practices of gallery lighting.
In the second part of the thesis I propose an experimental design and a test in which I examine the emotional reactions and preferences of the visitors of an art exhibition, where two, different kinds of light are provided. The study shows a preference for an inclusions of coloured, directional lighting in a given gallery space. I conclude by indicating a need for further investigation of the topic in relation to possible lighting techniques and product which could support the new approach to the gallery lighting.