Art / 17 Midland Road
17 Midland Road celebrates the end of a huge year with a feast of exhibitions
It’s been a huge year for 17 Midland Road, the Old Market gem co-created by Barney Beech and Charlotte Philby.
With an eclectic mix of exhibitions including Ashley Loxton with Bill Daggs, Adam Dix, Noema, Leo Bruno Todd, Joe Warrior Walker and Merny, they have continued to build a reputation as a consistently excellent multi-use gallery space.
In mid-September, shortly after opening up the townhouse to guests (now bookable via Airbnb), the venue hosted the first ever exhibition from Led By Donkeys, leading to queues around the block and over 6,000 visitors across four days.
is needed now More than ever
Government competence costs lives – photo: Led By Donkeys
Through Autumn and Winter, along with near neighbours IC Visual Lab, East Bristol Books and Bristol Vintage, 17 Midland Road is participating in Old Market First Thursdays – aiming to attract people to the area on the first Thursday of the month to experience performances, music, art, talks and shopping.
Opening on December 5 with a special talk, an exhibition of work by street photographer and screenwriter Stephen Leslie’s Mostly False Reports will showcase his unique combination of candid, often bizarre images and the often “unexpected responses” that he elicits from his subjects.
From Stephen Leslie, Mostly False Reports at 17 Midland Road – photo: courtesy of the artist
Then, less than a fortnight later, a mixed media exhibition of Daniel Dale’s work based on Disneyland Paris, The Happiest Place on Earth, will open on December 13.
With a wry mix of straight, uncompromising images, often devoid of tourists, Dale focuses on the saccharine artificiality of the Disney built environment, offering his own postcards “from a place that doesn’t exist except in the minds of its makers”.
From The Happiest Place on Earth – photo: Daniel Dale
Bristol24/7 asked Beech to share some insights about the continuing evolution of the space:
As you reflect on the last year at 17 Midland Road, what stands out for you?
“The Led By Donkeys show, and our show for Bristol Photo Festival with Amak Mahmoodian, were both standout. We’ve hosted so many different types of events and each has been unique and special, but the sheer scale of Led By Donkeys – and the fact that it was a world-first, which we curated – was very special.”
In terms of attracting new audiences to contemporary art, how would you characterise the unique appeal of the gallery?
“I’ve always felt Bristol punches above its weight in its cultural exports and we have an incredible legacy of artists, designers, musicians and writers in the city. There’s so much talent around, but perhaps not a huge amount of small to medium sized venues for visual arts. Hopefully 17 Midland Road has gone someway to bridging the gap.
One Hundred & Twenty Minutes, Bristol Photo Festival 2024. exhibited at 17 Midland Road – photo: Amak Mahmoodian
“Given that I think there’s potential for galleries to alienate people, it’s gratifying that anecdotally, people have said how welcome they have felt in the gallery. We’re not strictly a contemporary art space and I think the fact that we’re versatile and open to all is part of the appeal. Our hope is that the project will start to blur the line between art, design, making and community.
“We also have a unique setup in that when the upper galleries are not being used for an exhibition you can stay in the three bed flat upstairs. We’re aware of the potential negative impact of holiday lets in an inner-city area, but for us it’s about creating a sustainable business model that can fund the art projects. In a sense it’s about robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
Pelly – photo: Stephen Leslie
How does your position within the Old Market community impact your plans for 17 Midland Road?
“I’ve known Old Market for many years as one of my best friend’s parents have owned HRS motorcycles on West Street since the early 90s. I also spent my teenage years at Trinity and the Depot nightclub. Fast forward to 2024 – and Old Market is on the cusp of huge change, with large-scale developments popping up all around the area. But hopefully it can retain the energy, excitement and spirit that made it what it is.
“Our space and other newly opened independent businesses such as IC Visual Lab and East Bristol Books, along with the more established offerings of Old Market such as Trinity, The Good Store, Tomo No Ramen, Glitch, 26a, Grano etc, are all helping to shape the area into a cultural quarter for the city.”
Newly opened East Bristol Books, West Street, Old Market – photo: Martin Booth
Can you describe the process of curating work to exhibit?
“Curation can be a different practice for different people. I come from a background in graphic design, interiors and architecture. I have varied and often conflicting interests in visual culture – from 2000 AD comics to early 90s jungle raves; folk art to modernism.
“I like to be surprised by personal stories and make sure the work communicates the ideas in relatable ways. It’s always a collaborative dialogue that often becomes a friendship too, which is nice. For me, the most important thing is that that work speaks in its true voice.”
Carrots Traffic Cone – photo: Stephen Leslie
What drew you to Stephen Leslie’s aesthetic, and to Daniel Dale’s Disneyland project?
“Stephen Leslie’s work is both brilliant and hilarious. He is a street photographer and writer whose work is not a contemporary art practice. For that reason he doesn’t get caught up in the often pretentious waffle about his craft. For him it’s all about timing and storytelling. He’s that guy who has his camera on a belt holster wherever he goes.
“As far as I know, his book Mostly False Reports is a totally unique concept, where the photo becomes the spark for a work of fiction. This approach puts the books outside of traditional photo books which often leave much for personal interpretation. It will also have you laughing out loud.
Stephen Leslie, Mostly False Reports – poster: courtesy of the artist and 17 Midland Road
“Daniel Dale’s The Happiest Place on Earth is a satirical look at the hyper-reality of Disney World. For me, this project tapped into that common childhood fantasy of a trip to Disney World which most of us never experienced and the bizarre uncomfortable reality, if ever it was realised.
“Even as child I found these imagined and thinly staged worlds creepy and unsettling, always becoming interested in the physical fabrication and inevitable fragility of it, especially when you occasionally get a glimpse of a backstage door left open or an off duty Mickey Mouse smoking a fag. Ha!”
From The Happiest Place on Earth – photo: Daniel Dale
The upcoming Old Market First Thursdays are on December 5 and February 6; lineups to be announced.
Stephen Leslie: Mostly False Reports is at 17 Midland Road on December 5-8, with a talk on opening night at 6.30-8pm, bookable via Headfirst (exhibition open til 9pm).
Daniel Dale: The Happiest Place on Earth is on December 13-15, with an opening night at 6-9pm.
The Old Market Print Fayre – Penfold x 17 Midland Road is on December 17-22.
Follow @17midlandroad for more information about all upcoming events and exhibitions, or book for up to six people to stay.
Main photo: Stephen Leslie (‘Santas on Tube’)
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