As part of a wider month-long programme across Bristol, Black Beauty headlines Artspace Lifespace’s October season, bringing together exhibitions, performances and public events celebrating creativity, community and conversation.
From Wednesday 8 to Sunday 12 October, Sparks Bristol hosts Brutal Bristol, an exhibition shining a light on the city’s often overlooked post-war architecture. Featuring photography, illustration and sculpture, the show taps into the live public debate around Bristol’s changing city centre and encourages audiences to rethink their perceptions of brutalism - a style that often divides opinion yet forms a crucial part of the city’s urban story.
Sparks also celebrates International Repair Day on Saturday 18 October, transforming the ground floor into a hub of workshops, talks and demonstrations. Visitors can learn how to breathe new life into old electronics, bikes and clothes while discovering creative ways to embrace repair culture, sustainability and the right to fix.
The Island Gallery presents Reconnecting from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 October, a moving collection of photography, poetry and writing inspired by bird life in the UK. The exhibition explores how encounters with nature can help us to build resilience, strengthen our connections with one another and rediscover a sense of calm in challenging times.
Artspace Lifespace marks Black History Month with Black Beauty, a bold new exhibition by Bristol-based artist Jennie Cave that celebrates Black identity, culture and community through retro-surreal collage. Running from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October at the Island Gallery, the free exhibition invites audiences to reflect on representation, history and joy through Cave’s distinctive and playful lens.
Blending nostalgic imagery sourced from vintage magazines, photography and print ephemera, Cave reimagines cultural narratives with a fresh, affirming energy. Black Beauty is a vibrant homage to the power of image-making and a tribute to the beauty of Black lives and experiences, past and present.
“This series is about honouring the joy and richness of Black culture while challenging outdated visual norms,” says Jennie Cave, a Falmouth School of Art graduate. “I want people to walk away feeling uplifted, seen and inspired to rethink the imagery that shapes an individual's sense of identity.”
October draws to a close with Lost Track of Time at Arts Mansion on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st October. Following the success of their earlier events, the group returns with a spectacular Halloween weekender featuring three rooms of house, disco and electronic music, alongside live performers, dancers, fire shows and immersive décor.
Artspace Lifespace’s October programme reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting artists, championing creativity and creating unique experiences across Bristol. All exhibitions are free and open to the public, with tickets required for selected performances.
Further details and booking information are available at artspace.uk.
Related
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.
