5 Places to Find Contemporary Art in Brighton, UK
Brighton is a city that is well-known for its vibrant and creative arts scene. From street art to contemporary galleries, this coastal city is home to a wealth of artistic talent.
In this blog post, I will take a closer look at five of the best places to find contemporary art in Brighton. I will explore the colourful and eclectic North Laine, with its street art and delve into the world of modern art at the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery and the city's other art galleries.
Whether you're a local looking for some artistic inspiration or a visitor eager to explore the creative side of Brighton, this guide has everything you need to know to experience the city's thriving art scene.
Table of Contents
1. Visit the Vibrant North Laine Area
2. Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
1. Visit the Vibrant North Laine Area
The North Laine District is a vibrant and eclectic area located in the heart of Brighton, between the railway station and North Road. Be mindful that this area is close to, but different to an area referred to as ‘The Lanes’ which refers to the picturesque passageways that lie between North Street, East Street and Ship Street.
This unique area is renowned for its colourful shopfronts, vibrant street art, and eclectic art galleries. Whether you live in Brighton or you are visiting, it is a perfect location for anyone looking for a quirky and creative experience.
Colour is an integral part of the The North Laine experience. The streets are lined with brightly coloured shopfronts and buildings. The colours range from bold and vibrant to soft pastels, providing a stunning backdrop for the area's street art.
Speaking of street art, The North Laine area is famous for its expressive murals. Every corner of the area seems to have a new and exciting piece of street art, from intricate stencils to bold and colourful murals. This area has become a hub within the city for street art, with the area constantly evolving as new artists add their own creative touches to the walls. The “Kissing Policeman” by Banksy is perhaps the most famous mural.
In addition to its street art, The North Laine area is also home to a number of art galleries that can be found on most streets within the area. Here is a list of a few of them:
Veebee Art, 25 Sydney St, Brighton BN1 4EP, which has a great display of limited edition art prints
Dynamite Gallery, 13 Trafalgar St, Brighton BN1 4EQ
io Gallery, 39 Sydney St, Brighton BN1 4EP, which sells art and crafts
Gallery 40, 40 Gloucester Rd, Brighton BN1 4AQ, an exhibition space to showcase local artworks
Hidden Gallery, 5 Kensington Gardens, Brighton BN1 4AL, which specialises in prints of major artists, such as Pablo Picasso, David Hockney, Banksy, Tracey Emin etc
Barry J Davies, Studio Greenhouse, 18 Bond St, Brighton BN1 1RD, which specialises in pop art by the local artist.
This list is not exhaustive and you will find other galleries as you meander through the streets of North Laine.
In addition to the street art and galleries, The North Laine area offers a diverse shopping experience from vintage clothing stores, unique jewelry to record shops, this area has it all. These shops often have vibrant shopfronts that add to the colour and vibrancy of the area.
The North Laine area is bursting with creativity and expression. The combination of colourful shopfronts, ever-changing street art, and unique galleries make it a must-visit destination within Brighton.
The best way to explore The North Laine's street art scene is on foot, as many of the murals are tucked away down side streets and alleys.
2. Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
Admission: Adult £7.50, Child (5 to 18 years old) £3.60, Under 5s are free
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm
Address: Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1FN
CC Image courtesy of Catalina Aro Flores Flickr
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is located in Pavillion Gardens, on the edge of the North Laine area. This historic Victorian building is home to an impressive collection of art and artifacts, comprising ancient Egyptian artifacts through to contemporary art installations.
There are several highlights to explore, including:
The Images of Brighton Gallery - This gallery provides a fascinating insight into the sub-cultures of the 20th century, from its reputation for tolerance that made Brighton one of the gay capitals of Europe, to the 1960s clashes between the mods and rockers.
The Fine Art collection - The Fine Art collection spans five centuries and ranges from old masters to key 20th-century artists. This collection features work by 20th-century artists, including Frank Stella, and Sir Anthony Caro amongst other. The Heyer Gallery is the permanent home of the artworks of the former Brighton resident Paul Heyer.
The Fashion & Style gallery - Fashion can be a form of identity and expression. This gallery will take you on a journey of fashion contrasts. You will see clothing that represents a range of sub-cultures associated with Brighton, from Mods & Rockers, Teddy Boys, Skaters and Goths to Travellers and Hippies.
The Elaine Evans Archaeology Gallery - In this gallery you can follow the lives of the peoples that have lived in the Brighton area from the Ice Age to the Saxon era.
20th Century Art and Design - Brighton Museum and Art Gallery has a number of displays of innovative arts and crafts and trace the different art movements from Aestheticism and the Arts & Crafts movement, through to Art Nouveau and Art Deco to Modernism, Surrealism and Contemporary design.
3. Fabrica, Brighton
Admission: Free Entry
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 6pm
Address: Fabrica, 40 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AG
CC Image courtesy of Dominic Alves Flickr
Fabrica is a contemporary art gallery that showcases innovative and thought-provoking works from artists around the world.
Fabrica is a contemporary art gallery housed in a former Regency-era church, which provides a striking and atmospheric setting for the gallery's contemporary visual art installations and events. The space has been carefully renovated to preserve its historic features while creating a modern and flexible venue for contemporary art.
Fabrica hosts a diverse range of exhibitions and events, including installations, performances, and multimedia works. The gallery's curators are committed to showcasing work that challenges and engages visitors, with an emphasis on socially relevant themes and issues.
Some of the standout past exhibitions at Fabrica have included:
La Route by Dominique De Beir (2007) - A series of cardboard boxes and fruit crates that were used to build cavernous spaces and tunnels, blasted by holes that sprinkled the interior with shimmering constellations.
Woodlock by Jacques Nimki (2006) - Jacques Nimki transformed the gallery into a forest glade, with wild plants at its centre and delicate drawings of trees on the walls.
In Colour by Peter Hudson (2017) - This immersive piece invited audiences to interact with it and each other, non-verbally. The work was developed to appeal to people who are highly sensitive and those with complex needs.
Paso by William Fairbrother and Alberto Ruiz Soler (2022) - The exhibition comprised an immersive spatial sound composition and experiential sensory sculpture.
Fabrica also regularly hosts children’s’ workshops for various ages, life drawing classes and hosts film nights, amongst other events.
4. The Artists' Open Houses Festival, Brighton
Admission: Free Entry
When: Twice a year – throughout May and for thee weekends in November/December.
Address: Throughout Brighton in artist’s homes and other non-traditional spaces
CC Image courtesy of Antony Mayfield Flickr
The Artists' Open Houses Festival is a popular event that takes place during the Brighton Festival in May and again in November and December.
The Open Houses festival is a series of exhibitions held in private homes, studios and other non-traditional spaces throughout Brighton and Hove. The event provides a chance to meet local artists, view their work, and purchase art directly from the creators.
The event began in 1982 as a way for local artists to showcase their work during the Brighton Festival and has grown in popularity, with over 1,000 artists now participating each year.
A number of art walking trails are created to cluster the homes to make them manageable for viewing. Each exhibition is unique, and you will experience a wide range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, photography, and printmaking.
To make the most of the Artists' Open Houses festival event, I would recommend planning ahead and researching which exhibitions you want to visit.
The Artists' Open Houses event is a great way to support local artists and discover new talent in Brighton's vibrant creative community.
5. Brighton Fringe Festival
For something a little different to the contemporary art options listed above, The Brighton Fringe Festival is England's largest performance art festival and takes place in May and June each year.
The festival promotes new and emerging artists, and seeks to push the boundaries of creativity by encouraging live performances that are experimental and challenging. As such, this festival offers a wide range of events, comprising predominantly live performances, but also including visual art exhibitions and installations, and many more. Various disciplines will be represented including theatre, comedy, dance, and music.
The festival takes place in venues throughout the city, ranging from traditional theaters to pop-up spaces.
Some events will have an entrance fee, but many are listed as free or via donations.
My Final Thoughts on Brighton
Brighton's art scene is not only a source of inspiration and entertainment for visitors, but it also plays a significant role in the community. From showcasing local talent to bringing people together, the art scene in Brighton is an essential part of the city's identity.
I would highly recommend a trip to Brighton to experience its art scene for yourself.
I hope you have found this blog post useful. If you have visited Brighton and think I should include anything else, please email me at [email protected].
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