Art galleries in Brighton
There are plenty of art galleries in Brighton to visit; here we list the best, and keep you up to date with shows that are on. There is a link to each gallery, along with a link to a map to locate them.
Galleries with regular exhibitions
These galleries are only open when showing exhibitions, focused around a particular artist, theme or installation. If you live in Brighton, keep an eye out as the exhibitions change on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, so you can visit again and again.
Ink-d
96 North Road, Brighton (3 doors down from Bill’s Produce) - View map
Ink-d is Brighton’s most original gallery. It’s a small one, with one floor for whatever show is on, and a working studio upstairs with art for sale from previous shows. It contains work from some of the more left field local artists – recent shows included the KLF’s James Cauty’s Portslade Massif and Graham Carter’s tall trees and robots.
6th Feb – 28th Feb 2009
Ben Allen – Life, Death and other Colours – “This show will feature fresh, exciting & unseen-before paintings, surprising 3D pieces as well as some enticing limited editions prints…you will also be able to get cosy in Ben Allen’s very own boudoir installation room upstairs at Ink_d. This will be the first ever Ben Allen Bespoke exhibition and will feature lavish wallpaper, cool cushions, a hot pink Revolver coffee table and many more delectable items from his interior design collection. Finally, don’t miss out on Ben Allen’s progressive art project outside the gallery, where he will be inviting you to take part and make art on a massive collective canvas.”
Usual opening hours 11am until 6pm Monday – Saturday
University of Brighton Gallery
University of Brighton Gallery, Grand Parade, Brighton (opposite the Pavillion and Dome, on the road to the Pier) -View Map
The University of Brighton gallery shows some real heavy-weight stuff, often staging retrospectives of world famous artists, which show alongside occasional shows from the students themselves.
Fri 16th Jan – Sat 14th March 2009
Celebrating 150 years of Art and Design: From Art School to University: Art and Design at Brighton 1859 – 2009 “Over 150 exhibits will be on display including drawings by Turner Prize winners Keith Tyson and work on paper by Antony Gormley, sculptor of the Angel of the North; a crystal-mesh couture dress by Julien MacDonald; sculpture by Turner Prize winner, Rachel Whiteread, whose ‘Monument’ occupied the empty plinth in Trafalgar Square; a self-portrait of Alison Lapper, widely known for posing for Marc Quinn’s statue, ‘Alison Lapper Pregnant’, that occupied the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square; and prize-winning illustrations by author and illustrator, Emily Gravett. ”
Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm during exhibitions
Phoenix Brighton
10 – 14 Waterloo Place, Brighton (at the bottom of the level) – View Map
The Phoenix Gallery is the exhibition area of the Phoenix Arts Association, a charitable arts organisation providing studio space for local artists, and run by local artists. The exhibitions are often very experimental and feature artists from all over the world as well as local ones.
14th – 28th Feb 2009
“O” the shape I’m in - ”O” the shape I’m in – is same sky’s annual young peoples art show produced in association with Phoenix Brighton. Seems to have lots of huge paper sculptures lit up by various lights. Looks pretty cool.
7th – 21st March 2009
Rattling the cage – an exhibition of materials produced during the local “Save Omar” campaign, created to free local resident Omar Deghayes from Guantánamo.
See Omar speak at the exhibition on Sat 14th March at 2PM.
Gallery usually open Tues – Sat 11 – 5
Crane Kalman Gallery
38 Kensington Gardens, North Laine, Brighton (opposite Snoopers Paradise) – View Map
The Crane Kalman gallery is a small photo gallery always full of interesting and often iconic images. Recent shows included an exhibition of images taken of local people by the world famous Polly Borland, a range of images of musicians including David Bowie, Kurt Cobain and Jeff Buckley from Rock Archive, and a collection of original vintage Eastern European film posters.
Cream 10 – a showcase of graduate talent – “Crane Kalman Brighton is proud to present the first in a planned annual showcase of some of the most talented photography graduates from last year’s (2008) Bachelor of Arts Photography courses. Entitled Cream, the exhibition features a selection of 10 of the best and most diverse talents to emerge from some of the most prestigious universities and colleges the length and breadth of the country from Edinburgh to Brighton; Newport to Northampton.”
Open Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm and Sun 10.30am – 4.30pm
The Lighthouse
28 Kensington Street, Brighton (behind the Komedia, next to Wagamamas) – View map
The Lighthouse is open to the public for around 6 months a year for exhibitions and installations, as well as hosting film screenings and one off events throughout the year. If your a fan of art that doesn’t hang on walls, you’ll find something here. Notable exhibitions here have included Burrow Me – a film screened within an wooden box filled with dirt that you climb inside and Day of the Figurines – an award winning mobile phone RPG game with models located in the space.
Currently no exhibition
Fabrica
Holy Trinity Church, Duke Street/Ship Street, Brighton (opposite the old post office/former market in South Lanes) – View Map
Fabrica is a visual arts centre in a former church which uses its space to stage impressive and innovative installations. 4 major works are displayed each year along with smaller exhibitions.
Fabrica is now closed until April.
Art shops
These galleries operate as shops, selling various pieces which change regularly, but do not form part of exhibitions. If you’re visiting Brighton, or haven’t visited these before, they are all well worth taking a look at.
Sydney St Gallery
27 Sydney St, North Laine, Brighton (opposite the chinese supermarket) – View Map
The Sydney St Gallery has recently opened and looks just like a framing shop or photography studio. Inside the shop however there are a number of pieces of art for sale which are apparently going to change on a regular basis, making this a worthwhile place to stop off at. Primarily photographs and prints.
She Said Gallery
13 Ship Street Gardens, The Lanes, Brighton (the tiny alley leading down from The Coach House) – View Map
The She Said Gallery opened in June 2008 and is an extension of the She Said erotic boutique next door. This small 2 floor gallery is filled with erotic images and should form the location for a series of exhibitions over the coming months.
North Laine Photography
Above Snoopers Paradise, Kensington Gardens, North Laines, Brighton – View Map
The North Laine Photography gallery sells images of Brighton which rarely change, but also displays occasional exhibitions by local photographers.
Open 10 – 17.00 Mon – Fri, 11 – 15.00 Sun.
