Bristol has carved out its niche in the UK as an ‘arty city’. Thanks to a thriving street art scene and some amazing art galleries, there are always awesome art exhibitions in Bristol to see.
Not only are you likely to catch both local and international talent, but everything from traditional Japanese porcelain to the world’s best wildlife photographs. You can definitely get your dose of culture during 2023 with these art exhibitions in Bristol. Will you see ’em at the museum?
1. The art of Japanese porcelain, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
This display at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery explores the story and artistry of Japanese porcelain. After captive Korean potters discovered porcelain clay in the hills above the small town of Arita in 1616, a flourishing porcelain industry was born in Japan. Between 1640 and 1680, the country became the world’s leading maker of porcelain.
This display showcases examples of the luxury wares designed by Japanese potters to suit the tastes of European and North American markets. You’ll learn how they differ from wares made for the people in Japan, as well as about Japanese dining culture and Japanese aesthetics. Much of the porcelain featured in this exhibition comes from the Irene Finch Collection, a large collection of Japanese ceramics.
Until July 30. More info here.
2. Flo Brooks: Harmonycrumb, Spike Island
West Cornwall-based artist Flo Brooks is at Spike Island this summer with a new commission “exploring trans and gender-nonconforming histories through painting and assemblage.” The exhibition includes seven acrylic paintings appliqued onto found fabric and six assemblages composed of lino flooring cutouts and handmade objects. Together, these works explore speculative entanglements between Brook’s own life and the experiences of different historical figures, including military leader Joan of Arc, ‘female husband’ Charles Hamilton, and physician Michael Dillon/Lobzang Jivaka.
From June 10 to September 10. More info here.
3. Found Cities, Lost Objects: Women in the City, RWA
Turner Prize-winning Lubaina Himid curates this touring exhibition exploring modern city life from a female perspective. Found Cities, Lost Objects: Women in the City focuses on themes of safety, navigation, belonging and power. There are over 60 works on display, including some by Bristol-based artists, in a wide array of styles including painting, sculpture, photography and film. Local artists include Valda Jackson, Mellony Taper, Beth Carter RWA, Huma Mulji, and Veronica Vickery, among many others. Encouraging visitors to view the city through a woman’s eyes, it’s one of the more eye-opening art exhibitions in Bristol.
Until August 30. More info here.
4. Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake, WWT Slimbridge
The wonderful wetlands of Slimbridge have been reimagined by the UK’s beloved illustrator Quentin Blake. Collect an illustrated guide full of Quentin Blake’s drawings and journey around WWT Slimbridge this summer (From May 18). New seasonal trails will be launched later in the year, each with a different illustrated guide to collect and keep. Slimbridge also has a whole host of art and illustration activities aimed at all ages and abilities, including nature-inspired creative challenges, art workshops and much more. A selection of Quentin Blake’s illustrations will later go up in Slimbridge’s gallery.
From July 21 to September 16. More info here.
5. Made In Britain, Hidden Gallery
Hidden Gallery is hosting a selling exhibition of original prints from some of the most iconic British artists of our time. The exhibition will include artists such as L.S Lowry, David Hockney, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Grayson Perry, Peter Blake, Bridget Riley, Stik and Henry Moore to name a few. With no defining style or movement, every British artist offers something new to the table and Hidden aims to show this in its Made in Britain exhibition. Alongside the art exhibition, Hidden will show hand-signed works by many artists including Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Joan Miro, and more.
Until June 10 to July 16. More info here.
6. Threads, Arnolfini
Threads is a celebration of all things textiles. Weaving throughout Arnolfini’s three floors, it features 21 contemporary international artists and makers that use textiles as their chosen medium. These artists use materials to connect with past traditions, find commonalities between cultures, time and place, and ‘breathe stories into materials’. Using processes of weaving and spinning, rug-making, stitching and embroidery, print, knit, threading, mending and found materials, with materials and techniques handed down, reused and reinvented.
Co-curated by textile artist Alice Kettle, exhibiting artists are: Caroline Achaintre, Mounira Al Solh, Ifeoma U. Anyaeji, Olga de Amaral, Will Cruickshank, Monika Žaltauskaitė-Grašienė, Lubaina Himid, Young In Hong, Raisa Kabir, Alice Kettle, Anya Paintsil, Anousha Payne, David Penny, Anna Perach, Celia Pym, Richard McVetis, Ibrahim Mahama, Farwa Moledina, Lucy Orta, Yinka Shonibare and Esna Su.
It also gives an opportunity for audiences to engage with Bristol’s own complex textile history through a digital memory map and audio stories focusing upon the sites of the Great Western Cotton Factory and Bristol’s new ‘textile quarter’.
From July 8 to October 1. Find out more here.