Bristol's 10 Contemporary Art Galleries You Should Visit

Bristol is a city that is culturally alive and possesses a thriving contemporary art scene. Dotted along street corners or throughout the dockyards are various galleries and exhibition spaces hosting a myriad of established and underground artists. From massive international galleries to tiny little shop spaces, here is a selection of some of the best contemporary art spaces in Bristol.

View

View is one of the largest independent galleries in the South West and is split into zones over two floors, allowing it to incorporate a mixture of media including paintings, sculptures, photography, ceramics and a room dedicated to video installations. The regularly changing exhibitions give returning visitors something vibrant and exciting to mull over whilst the gallery itself tries to create a relaxed and informal atmosphere that allows people to view art in their own way. Their online shop also means that the artwork is available to purchase after each exhibition.

View Art Gallery, 159-161 Hotwell Road, Bristol, United Kingdom, +44 5603 116753

1. Arnolfini

Art Gallery, Bookstore, Store

Arnolfini was established in 1961 before moving to its current dockside location of a grade II listed building, formerly a tea warehouse, in 1975. Since then, it has gone on to become one of Europe’s foremost centres for contemporary arts. It does not only present visual art but also exhibits performance, dance, film, and music events. A partnership with Tate means that it often exchanges ideas, expertise, and programmes allowing it even greater access to some of the most highly lauded contemporary art of the age.

Weapon of Choice

Weapon of Choice started out as a monthly hip hop and graffiti night, where local artists were invited to perform in front of a live audience. In 2009 they opened up an art gallery to showcase the best and most sought-after graffiti, street art, and illustrations from artists in Bristol. Since then, they have established themselves as one of the best and most unique galleries in the city. With spaces such as this pushing graffiti forward, an art form that was once defined by its illegal nature is now hovering on the fringes of mainstream acceptance.

Weapon of Choice, 8B Park Street, Bristol, United Kingdom, +44 117 929 1865

2. Spike Island

Art Gallery

Another gallery based in an old tea warehouse, Spike Island stakes a major claim to being a hub of cultural significance in Bristol. It is not only a gallery and exhibition space but also a work studio for the production and development of contemporary art and design. It offers a year-round programme of events, activities and talks open to the public as well as low-cost studios to artists at all stages of their careers. With such direct links with artists, as well as with students and staff from the University of the West of England Fine Art BA programs, the gallery has its finger directly on the pulse of the contemporary art scene locally, nationally and internationally, putting it streaks ahead of many other galleries around.

3. Here

Art Gallery, Pop-up Store, Store

Below a small, unassuming shop that stocks all sorts of artsy bric-a-brac, materials, niche magazines, and books, is a gallery with no fixed remit but to promote work that they feel deserves notice. Primarily dealing with printmaking and illustration, the art on display would usually be neglected by more mainstream outlets. Here showcases both local and international artists and they are always open to submissions for their consideration. The sort of rolling exhibition space combined with the shop aesthetic gives Here a quirky and homely atmosphere that is unique on Bristol’s contemporary art scene.

4. Soma

Art Gallery, Shop

Specialising in limited edition prints and illustrations, Soma has several exhibitions a year promoting the work of local and national artists. Originally opening in the Clifton Arcade in 2004, it has now moved to bigger premises across the road with a dedicated gallery space on the first floor and a shop space on the ground floor. It holds both group and solo exhibitions and sells a wide range of artworks, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, magazines, and books next to the illustrations it showcases.