STATE OF THE ART

Belonging, Rainmaker Gallery, 7 March –6 May

In this solo exhibition, Rick Grimster explores his relationship to the country of his birth. A war baby, born in London in 1945 to a Mvskoke father and an English mother, his life is but one of the numerous unique stories that make up the Indigenous diaspora.

Whilst Grimster’s abstracted landscapes fit firmly into the school of mid-century British modernism, they are elevated by an instinctive, unbridled joy of colour and love of nature aligned with his Native American heritage. Where we land on this earth is dictated by forces beyond our control –migration, colonialism and in this case World War II. How we make sense of our individual journeys is up to us. Rick Grimster has found peace and belonging through his lifelong love of painting and an unbreakable connection to land, wherever he may be.

• rainmakerart.co.uk;

140 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2RS

Image below by Rick Grimster

Renewal, Clifton Contemporary Art, 3 –31 March

From March, Clifton Contemporary Art is featuring a range of exciting new work by regular gallery artists, which can be seen on its newly designed website. The work includes Carl Melegari’s layered, intricate and potent archetypal human studies, Elaine Jones’ shifting, elemental earthscapes, Andrew Hood and Tom Hughes’ entirely different visions of the city environment, and contrasting still life paintings by Stephanie Axtel and Lynne Cartlidge. As the light lengthens and the seasons shift, it’s time to see the world afresh.

• cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk;

25 Portland Street, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JB

The RWA presents a special exhibition by leading Bristol-born photographer Jem Southam. A Bend in the River displays a series of the same name structured in two parts representing arrival (at dusk) and departure (at dawn). The images were taken at a particular spot on a riverbank where Southam became lost in contemplation one December evening. He returned to the same spot each day during the rest of the winter. Over the following five years between 2015-2020, Southam continued creating the series in the same location. The ever-changing surface of the water, passing clouds, trees waving in the breeze, ducks gliding across the river and swans flying to roost caught Southam’s attention and what began as a passing digital photo led to powerful ongoing series of deeply affecting photography.

• rwa.org.uk; Queens Road, Clifton, BS8 1PX

Ayo Akingbade: Show Me The World Mister, Spike Island, until 21 May

Show Me The World Mister is an exhibition by Ayo Akingbade comprising two new film commissions shot on location in Nigeria. The Fist is a portrait of the Guinness brewery in Lagos, where histories of colonialism, industrialisation and labour collide; while Faluyi follows protagonist Ife on a journey tracing familial legacy and mysticism in ancestral lands. Building on Akingbade’s interests in history, placemaking, legacy and power, these are her most ambitious productions to date.

Produced by Chisenhale Gallery and Spike Island, Bristol, and commissioned by Chisenhale Gallery; Spike Island; the Whitworth, The University of Manchester; BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead; and John Hansard Gallery, Southampton. The exhibition is part of the West of England Visual Arts Alliance programme, supported by Arts Council England.

• spikeisland.org.uk; 133 Cumberland Road, BS1 6UX

Image:

Wildlife Photographer of the Year, M Shed, until 29 May

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is back at M Shed with a brand new set of images capturing the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.

From fascinating animal behaviour to remarkable species, 100 powerful photographs illustrate the precious beauty of our planet. The images shine a light on stories from all over the world and convey the impact of human activity in ways that words cannot.

Now in its 58th year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases some of the best photography talent from around the world. Launching in 1965, today the competition receives entries from over 90 countries all over the world. Winning images are selected for their creativity, originality and technical excellence by a panel of international experts.

• bristolmuseums.org.uk; Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, BS1 4RN

Image: Heavenly flamingos by Junji Takasago, Japan | Winner, natural artistry

Junji Takasago/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Public Art Project with Juneau Projects, Arnolfini, until 30 September

Running until September 2023, Arnolfini and UWE Bristol are producing a public art and nature project with artists Juneau Projects (Philip Duckworth and Ben Sadler), taking place in and around the university’s Frenchay campus. Phil and Ben have been inviting UWE Bristol students and staff, local residents and schools to join them for Bryophyte Club*, a programme of free creative workshops, events and explorations of local nature, inspired by mosses, lichens and other overlooked but vital plants. These activities will lead towards the design and creation of a sculpture garden for a new student accommodation village on the campus, also to be used as a community space for people living and working in the area. The sculpture garden will become a place for students, staff and local residents alike to sit, rest, meet and enjoy for years to come.

Arnolfini is interested to hear from individuals and groups who would like to have a hand in the creation of the sculpture garden, meet new people and gain skills in making with clay, wood, print-making, plants and more. Get in touch with Phil, Ben or Alix to say hello at publicart@arnolfini.org.uk

*bryophytes (brai·uh·fites) are a group of plants that include mosses, lichens, liverworts and hornworts. In the UK there are around 1,100 species of bryophyte.

• arnolfini.org.uk; 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA