ARTS & EXHIBITIONS

STATE OF THE ART

Coming Up for Air: Stephen Gill –A Retrospective, Arnolfini, throughout December Arnolfini is currently celebrating over thirty years of extraordinary practice from Bristol-born photographer Stephen Gill, drawing together new previously unexhibited work, alongside works from other iconic series including Hackney Flowers, Buried, Talking to Ants, Night Procession, Pigeons, Coexistence and Coming up for Air. Also featuring the first UK presentation of images from award winning photographic series and book The Pillar, the exhibition will explore Gill’s rich sense of place, leading us through the flea markets and towpaths of Hackney Wick in London, to his current rural surroundings amidst the Swedish countryside. Free entry. Exhibition slots bookable in advance. Walk-ins may be available on the day.

• arnolfini.org.uk

Image: From ‘The Pillar’ 2015 – 2019 © Stephen Gill

Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year, Royal Photographic Society, until 12 December

Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year, in its tenth anniversary year, is currently exhibiting for the very first time outside of London at The Royal Photographic Society. The world’s leading awards for food photography and film has over 20 categories, ranging from the politics of food to food portraiture, and captures a great sweep of stories and cultures. An exhibition, drawn from thousands of entries from almost 80 countries, will be on display until 12 December; free for all to enjoy. This year’s global judging panel, chaired by legendary food photographer, David Loftus, included Fiona Shields, head of photography at Guardian News Media; Simone Zanoni, chef at Restaurant Le George at the Four Seasons Paris; Vitalie Taittinger, president of Champagne Taittinger; and Rein Skullerud, head of the photo unit at the World Food Programme. The World Food Programme recently received the Nobel Peace Prize and is a longstanding partner of the awards.

• pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com; rps.org

Image: Lumière d'automne by Deborah Trocchia from Italy. Deborah won the top prize in the Food Influencers category

Varekai (Wherever) - RWA Pop-up Exhibition Off-site, Royal West of England Academy (RWA), until 6 January 2022

RWA is taking a selection of vibrant and colourful artworks from its permanent collection to community venues across Bristol, as a pop-up exhibition, during the time that the RWA building is closed for renovation. The title, Varekai, is a Romani word meaning 'wherever'. It comes from one of the paintings in the exhibition which depicts Le Cirque du Soleil performing a show of the same name. The exhibition comprises of nine paintings that all have great energy, vibrancy and a distinct sense of the outdoors about them. They were chosen to inspire and delight, as we all come out of lockdown and reconnect with each other and the places around us. The real places depicted include a mine in Wales, the pier at Weston Super Mare and the streets of Bristol, whilst others are dreamlike and imaginary. Kite-flying in Rajasthan and a French circus performance are captured in bright colour, and there are also bold paintings of plants and creatures to enjoy.

• rwa.org.uk

Image: June Berry RWA NEAC Hon. RE RWS (b.1924), Le Cirque du Soleil Performing ‘Varekai’, 2011, watercolour, 48 x 63cm. RWA Collection © RWA (Royal West of England Academy)

The Art of Christmas, Clifton Contemporary, 3 –31 December

Erupting with colour, light, texture and form, Clifton Contemporary has made sure its Christmas 2021 exhibition is a festival for art lovers: a celebration for midwinter and the future. Throughout December, the gallery is featuring a selection of new work by exciting gallery artists, from the mesmerising original prints of Chuck Elliott, to the elegant, timeless bronzes by Julian Cox, the atmospheric land and seascapes of Hannah Woodman, the intense layered abstracts of Ellie Preston and the textured ceramics by Trevor Lillistone.

• cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk

Image: 'Arrowhead IV' bronze (with ebonised wood plinth) by Julian Cox

Winter Exhibition, Rainmaker Gallery, throughout December

This year’s winter show at Rainmaker Gallery features a broad range of contemporary Native American art: Pacific Northwest Coast formline serigraphs from Preston Singletary, meticulous acrylic paintings by Marla Allison and Jasmine Coe, minimalist serigraphs by Jordan Ann Craig, fine art photographic portraiture from Cara Romero, a digital composite photographic print by the late Shan Goshorn, mercurial tintype portraits by Kali Spitzer and Will Wilson, sepia figurative landscapes by Zoe Mariah Urness and a silver halide print by Eugene Tapahe. Each work of art has been selected for a seasonal palette of red, orange, black and white. For over 30 years Rainmaker has been the only dedicated Native Art gallery in the UK but its Bristol space is under new ownership and it needs to relocate. This is the gallery’s chance to find a premises befitting the world-class art and artists that it represents. To donate to Rainmaker, visit: gofund.me/ae873161

• rainmakerart.co.uk

BUBBLE RING An absolute ‘classic’ diamond bubble ring. 18ct white gold, 1ct diamonds, £8,395 Exclusive to Nicholas Wylde. Web: nicholaswylde.com

THE DECADENCE COLLECTION AT CLIFTON ROCKS

9ct yellow Fairmined gold, set with Canadamark certified diamonds. From £222.

Web: cliftonrocks.co.uk

GO VINTAGE

ENDLESS EARRINGS

Large Silver 'Endless' Hoop Earrings, Handmade from recycled silver, these large hoop earrings are hand etched with the word 'endless' and finished with a polished edge that create a soft drama. RRP £89. Visit Diana Porter for these and so much more. This superb 1.00ct diamond Edwardian platinum old mine cut diamond engagement ring is a fine example of early 20th century jewellery available from Lillicoco. Featuring a fabulous 1.00ct H/I colour vs clarity diamond at the centre, crowned by a domed profile and a sprinkling of antique diamonds. The diamond in the centre is absolutely fierce, making you instantly fall in love with this incredible ring.£3,375.

Web: lillicoco.com

Web: dianaporter.co.uk

TIME TO SPARKLE RAINDROP EARRINGS

Diamond solitaire rings from £400, available from Kemps Jewellers.

Web: kempsjewellers.com

These native American Indian, satin repoussé raindrop earrings in argentium silver were handmade by Chris Pruitt, Chiricahau Apache and Laguna Pueblo tribes, USA. £255.

A DROP OF GOLDEN SUN

‘Helios’ Sterling silver and 18ct gold Sun ray pendant with chain. It is simply Stunning. £269

Web: kyddandkydd.co.uk

Web: rainmakerart.co.uk

HOW MANY GOLD RINGS? Beautiful 18ct yellow gold hammered stacking rings set with rainbow sapphires. Starting from £875 each.

Web: goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk

Image by Jo Hounsome

BRING A SPLASH OF COLOUR  INTO YOUR LIFE.

Milk Jug by Hanne Rysgaard, £48.

MADE IN BRISTOL GIFT FAIRS spotlight over 200 makers across 2 gift-packed weekends in December: 04 + 05 Dec and 11 + 12 Dec.

Web: madeinbristolgiftfair.co.uk

ARNOLFINI POSTER PRINT

New British Sculpture, 1968. Reproduced from Arnolfini's Archive of past exhibition posters, these high quality prints showcase Arnolfini's unique story and are available exclusively from Arnolfini Bookshop. Digital print on 200gsm Somerset Watercolour paper, 600 x 418mm. £20.00. Find this and much more at:

GIvE THE GIFT OF ART

Support local charity and art gallery RWA this Christmas, and choose a workshop or course for your loved one from the new Drawing School term. Suitable for all creative abilities (starting in Jan 2022). Vouchers available. Prices from £12.

Web: rwa.org.uk

EMILY DENNYS CERAMICS

See a wonderful selection of beautiful handmade lamps, vases and wall Panels all made by local ceramicist Emily Dennys. Prices range £12-£250.

Web: emilydennysshop.com

ADOPT AN ANIMAL WALL ART PRINT EDITIONS

Wild Place Project’s new bear, zebra, giraffe and ring-tailed lemur adoption packs make a perfect present and help support conservation work, £30; wildplace.org.uk

Ethereal Skies by Sian Storey. £175 Limited edition 60cms x 60cms Giclee print on 285gsm Portrait white paper, with deckled edge. Edition of 40,

Web: wildplace.org.uk

THINGS OF GREAT BEAUTY

Stoneware bowl crafted by Trevor Lillistone - (21cm diameter) with volcanic white glazed exterior and orange glazed interior. Price: £80, available from Clifton Contemporary Art.

Web: cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk Web: upfest.co.uk/product/ethereal-skies

MELLOR II TRAINER WHITE.

In a special collaboration with British footwear band Goral, Bristol based Benedict Raven have produced a premium footwear trainer, hand crafted in England from premium leather. With a passion for longevity, the Mellor II is a timeless, minimalist trainer featuring the innovative Blake stitch construction made to last, be repaired and then last some more, £295.

Web: benedictraven.co.uk JUST SAY YUUP... TO JEWELLERY MAKING Silver clay pendant & earring workshop £65 per person

An accessible entry to jewellery making! Work with silver clay, made from fine particles of silver, and easily create something unique and sentimental which is then fired into pure silver. You’ll learn the fundamentals and have a coffee and cake break before getting stuck in. Book online at:

Web: Yuup.co

A VERY TASTY TREAT

Single Variety Co make award-winning chilli jams and fruit preserves right here in Bristol. Using all natural ingredients, they work with British farmers to source the highest-quality produce, resulting in a range of delicious sweet and savoury jams which are amazing with cheese, in recipes or even just on their own. Perfect for foodie friends and families you can choose from their wise range of chilli or fruit jams, as well as their specially created gift boxes for the ultimate foodlovers Christmas gift.

Web: singlevariety.co.uk FOR CURIOUS MINDS

Science centre and educational charity We The Curious have launched a new online shop. Featuring science kits, gadgets, space-themed gifts and toys, everything is ethically sourced and sustainable. Prices range from £7 –£30.

Web: shop.wethecurious.org

Images by Faye Hedges

BAGS OF STYLE

By Bristol-based company Bond Morgan Limited, these bags are made in England and designed with sustainability and environmental impact as the main objective. They are also very cool and super capacious, £359.

Web: bondmorgan.com

LIGHT & SHADE

Moorcroft lamps complete with silk shade, handmade in Stoke. Other designs and prices from £400. Available from Clifton Ceramics & Fine Jewellery.

STARS FROM THE EAST PERSONAL STYLING TREATS

Something stylish to unwrap Christmas morning that won’t need to be returned. Give your loved one the gift of a bespoke personal style experience this Christmas with a voucher from LIFESTYLISH, vouchers from £50.

Web: lifestylish.co.uk

Oriental Rugs of Bath is home to an eclectic collection of authentically handcrafted rugs, kilims and furnishings from the Middle and Far East. Visit the showroom to discover a fine range of cushions and beautifully handwoven rugs. This kilim cushion is a limited edition but a fine example of a vast range, it will last for years and add a touch of eastern magic to any room. Web: orientalrugsofbath.com

JUST SAY YUUP... TO RUM History of rum tasting at Nadu - £25 per person. Explore the history of rum styles from Jamaican to French Caribbean and Cuban to modernist. Take part in the tasting challenges and battle to win your own bespoke Nadu cocktail. Book online at:

Web: Yuup.co

THE LOVE OF A SINGLE PARENT

Written by Bristol author Emily Down, and illustrated by Lou Collis. This is an entertaining and poignant children’s book featuring a single parent family –Beautiflully presented, The Dinosaur’s Big Day Out is the perfect gift for a young child dealing with parental separation, £8.99 from Waterstones.

BRISTMAS IN A BOX

Support local this year with Boxlocal’s ❼award-winning Bristol-based Christmas Hampers. They are terrific and contain so many lovely local products. Prices starting from £15.

Web: boxlocal.co.uk

GRIPPING READS Two new books from Bath-based author, Christopher Joll. Black Ice (£15.00) tells the extraordinary story of double-amputee and Afghanistan veteran, Corie Mapp, who went on to become the winner of the para bobsleigh World Cup. The Imperial Impresario (£25.00) takes a wholly new look at Napoleon’s tangible legacy and reveals some extraordinary facts about their present-day values. Both books available from:

CHERRY STONE PILLOWS WARMLII ‘HUGGER’ £26.99

Drawing on Swiss tradition and childhood memories, Bea—founder of warmlii—has created a range of beautifully handcrafted heated pillows, ideal for alleviating aches and pains. The pillows are made using ethically sourced materials that have minimal impact on the environment, including cherrystones (a by-product from the German sour cherry harvest) and 100% organic cotton. Even the packaging is made using 100% biodegradable UK-grown corn starch. When heated, the pillows give off the gentle smell of warm cherry pie — the ultimate comfort gift!

Web: betterfood.co.uk/local-christmas-gift-guide/ ARTISAN CRAFTS & DECORATIONS

Artisan Homeware is a Bristol online homewares store sourcing traditional craftsmanship for contemporary interiors. Alongside beautiful handmade stoneware from Poland, a new textile collection designed by Anna Lisa Smith (Libertys of London, Tate Edit Series) brings timeless design to luxuriously thick Merino blankets and cushions woven on traditional jacquard looms in West Yorkshire. Ceramics from £9.95 - £130, Blankets £225. Visit the Christmas shop.

Web:.artisanhomeware.co.uk

LET THE SNOW GROMIT FIGURINE

Let The Snow Gromit take you on a moonlit flight over snowy fields and sleeping villages, across star-spangled oceans and through the aurora … all the way to a magical party, where you are the special guest! (Just don’t forget to wrap up warm!) Inspired by his beloved children’s book ‘The Snowman’, which was made into an animated film in 1982 and has been televised every Christmas since, Raymond Briggs dressed Gromit in The Snowman’s familiar green hat and scarf, coal buttons, and tangerine nose! During the trail he could be found enchanting children and adults alike at Junction 3 library. £45

Web: gromitunleashedshop.org.uk

PRINCE OF WALES HIGHGROVE HERITAGE SCARF Highgrove and The Prince's Foundation have collaborated with Johnstons of Elgin to create ‘The Highgrove Heritage Scarf.’ Sustainably sourced with complete wool traceability, the Heritage Scarf is made from 100% ultrafine RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) merino wool from Australia, £89.00. There are a lot more great treats to be found at the Highrove Christmas shop.

Web: highgrovegardens.com

A LIMITED-EDITION CIDER FROM THATCHERS

If you’re looking to treat someone with an extra tasty gift this Christmas, why not try one of the new limited-edition Thatchers Cider Barn range. Each year, the family cider maker delights with short run ciders.This year sees the very welcome return of the award-winning Redstreak (voted the World’s Best Sparkling Cider in 2017). This 8.4% single variety cider is made from local Somerset Redstreak apples. High in tannin and big on flavour, this popular cider has a smooth feel and deep rich colour. It will be available from November, price £2.55 for a 500ml bottle. Available from its Cider Shop in Sandford, Somerset, or online at:

Web. thatcherscider.co.uk WELL HAMPERED –GETAWRIGGLEON

Christmas is the time for giving, and not only do Wriggle offer expertly chosen hampers of food and drink, but they also offer non-edible gifts including customised notebooks, tankards, tote-bags and more, each with the option of adding your company logo. From £40

Web: getawriggleon.com

BOOK OF FAIRIES Fairy Tale of Bristol –The Fairies of Brandon Hill by Bristol author, Talie Ashbee. Beautifuly written and illustrated, it’s an adventure around the histori heart of Bristol.

Web: natalieashbee.com or: fairytaleofbristol.myonline.store/ THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER

Give 'Em A Laugh with a voucher for Bristol Slapstick Festival. Options include individual shows starting from £8.50 (£5 concession) or two choices of pass – £92 grants admission to all Watershed events, plus Slapstick Divas and the Silent Film Gala, at Bristol Cathedral (17 in all) and £186 secures seats at everything bar the Paddington event (26 events + a souvenir T-shirt and pin badge).

Web: slapstick.org.uk

KNICKERS BORN FROM NATURE

Introducing Bedstraw + Madder, a new British label making super soft organic cotton knickers. Zero Chemicals. 100% plant dyes. Ethical, sustainable and generally very very good for everyone –we love these pretty knickers and they don’t cost the Earth! Prices from £11. ❻Web: bedstrawandmadder.com

FAMILY TIES BY SCRAGG DESIGNS

Fine artist Michelle Scragg creates so many beautiful pieces; her breathtaking paintings, posters and designs are a joy to see and all celebrate bold, playful colours which has become her statement style. Michelle also works her designs into clothing, scarves and ties. Shown here is a silk bow tie, £45 and the long silk tie is £67. If you love colour, find out about Michelle’s work and see more of her delightful art online at:

Web: michellescragg.com

CREATE YOUR OWN SPA AT HOME Gift an at-home spa experience with these professional-grade skin tools. Prices range from £14.99 - £69.99. Use code: BRISTOLBATH15 for 15% off at Web: skinabode.co.uk

CBD INFUSED NIGHT CREAM

Nourish and restore your skin at the end of the day. Packed with natural ingredients, this nourishing deepimpact CBD moisturiser is a hydration hero. 150mg CBD (0.3%) | 50ML Jar, £40. For this and many more wonderful CBD based products Visit: