Art / Arnolifini
Early 2021 highlights at Arnolfini
Female photographers are taking centre stage at the Arnolfini for the start of 2021.
From Fairy Tales to Phototherapy is a major retrospective of the work of Jo Spence (1934 – 1992), drawn from The Hyman Collection, which is one of the most comprehensive collections of her photographs in the world.
Running until February 21, the exhibition focuses on the intersection between arts and health and as a medium to address personal trauma, reflecting on key moments in her past. It is the first time that Spence’s thesis, Fairy Tales and Photography, Or, Another Look At Cinderella, will be exhibited and published in its entirety.
is needed now More than ever
An integral figure within photographic discourse from the 1970s, Spence is known for her politicised approach to photography and the representation of her own struggles with cancer.
From Fairy Tales to Phototherapy is a major retrospective of the work of Jo Spence (1934 – 1992) – photo by Jo Spence © The Jo Spence Memorial Archive, provided by Arnolfini
The exhibition will focus on the actual small-scale photographs that Spence used in her phototherapy sessions as well as the laminate panels that she used for her workshops and touring exhibitions.
Spence is well known for her politicised approach to photography – photo by Jo Spence in collaboration with Rosy Martin. © The Jo Spence Memorial Archive, provided by Arnolfini
In addition, an exhibition featuring contemporary women photographers will run until February 28, with the aim of de-stigmatising issues of mental health and creating an environment in which people can have open conversations about their wellbeing.
A Picture of Health exhibition aims to destigmatise mental health issues – photo by Heather Agyepong, provided by Arnolfini
A Picture of Health is also drawn from The Hyman Collection and features autobiographical perspectives and social commentaries on the wider society, as well as voices of local people with lived experiences of mental health.
The exhibition includes work by Heather Agyepong, Sonia Boyce, Eliza Hatch, Susan Hiller, Rose Finn-Kelcey, Anna Fox, Rosy Martin (in collaboration with Verity Welstead), Polly Penrose, Jo Spence, and Paloma Tendero.
It has been co-curated by creativeShift CIC and partner organisations that work in mental health and explores issues of trauma, hidden disabilities, how our environment affects health and wellbeing and more.
The Path Leads to Bristol is a local response to Hassan Hajjaj’s exhibition, The Path, curated by Bridges for Communities. Running at the Arnolfini until February 28, the exhibition features photos of people exploring themes of culture, identity and story.
The images were captured by Bridges volunteers and graphic designers Safia and Samira Belhaj, sisters whose own journey has included life in Libya, the United States and now Bristol.
The Arnolifini is also running free online art tutorials for families throughout January, in partnership with Let’s Make Art. The Hidden Self tutorials will offer step by step instructions and accompanying video to guide children in making a standing cardboard portrait of themselves, with an interior scene, as well as an outward-showing persona.
Free The Hidden Self tutorials are running throughout January -image from Let’s Make Art, provided by Arnolfini
Admission to the exhibitions is free and bookable in advance at www.arnolfini.org.uk and via socials @ArnolfiniArts.
Main photo (The Restless Image a discrepancy between the seen position & the felt position) by Rose Finn-Kelcey -provided by Arnolfini
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