Art / group exhibition
Summer of exhibitions at Bristol’s indie superstore, Prior Shop
In the heart of Quakers Friars, non-profit creative arts hub and ‘independent superstore’ Prior Shop is the biggest shop in Bristol dedicated to supporting independent makers.
Founder Beck Prior is also committed to the shop being a place for the local artistic community to come together and skill-share, and an opportunity to support those underrepresented in the arts.
As well as timetabling workshops and a monthly indoor market, Prior hosts a rotating programme of exhibitions in the gallery space tucked behind the shop.
is needed now More than ever
Photo: courtesy of Negative Thinking/Prior Shop
Darkness Calling: An exhibition of experimental handmade photography – August 3-9
Champions of analogue photography Negative Thinking offer “a space for education, experimentation, creativity, and discovery”. Running group and one-to-one workshops, darkroom sessions, photographic and printing courses from their Totterdown studio, their mission is to dismantle barriers and extol the virtues of the craft, for photographers of all experience levels.
“Step into the darkness, and join us under the safelight,” they urge.
Photo: Dean Ayotte
Photo: Guy Bellingham
Blue: An exhibition of works by Megan Wakelam and Hannah Weekes – August 10-24
As a painter, Bristol-based Megan Wakelam is inspired by the vast spaces of the natural world, and finds herself particularly drawn to water, sea-swimming, and capturing seascapes over the changing seasons.
Local artist Hannah Weekes specialises in batik, made using wax, dye and cotton, to create soft yet vibrant wall hangings with a tranquil and dream-like quality.
Wild Swimming, by Megan Wakelam from the Blue exhibition – photo: courtesy of the artist
Hannah Weekes, Cascading Rapids in the Vintgar Gorge, 2022 – photo: courtesy of the artist
Recollections: Art collective exhibition – September 6-26
South-west-based artists specialising in a range of media are joining together to present this collection of work, exploring disparate themes including human evolution, the natural world, and the body positivity movement vs. the pressure to conform to societal norms.
Joanne Spencer presents reduction lino cut, Nicola Davis is showing silk painting, kiln-formed glass comes from Alex Compton, and Samuel Lindup will be featuring painting and line drawing.
Artwork by Alex Compton for Recollections – photo: courtesy of the artist
Artwork by Joanne Spencer for Recollections – photo: courtesy of the artist
For more information about upcoming exhibitions and events at Prior Shop, visit www.priorshop.uk.
Main photo: courtesy of Joanne Spencer, Nicola Davis, Alex Compton and Samuel Lindup
Read more: Shop owner launches petition to ‘Save Bristol’s independents’
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