DIVE
A contemporary art show celebrating the power of open water, swimming and the female gaze
Open 26-29th June, 10am - 8pm | Private View, 25th June, 5-8pm
17 Midland Road, Bristol, BS2 0JT
Continuing online through the summer at www.emilyhadley.co.uk
Presented by Emily Hadley Gallery x Suze Riley Studio, DIVE brings together works by 14 exceptional women artists, transforming the gallery space at 17 Midland Road, Bristol into an immersive, joyful summer show.
Curated as a sensory plunge into the elemental, DIVE explores the liberating essence of water through a wide range of interpretations: from lidos and wild swims to the female form, the shared and solitary experience, community, introspection, and connection with nature.
The exhibition is also a bold and inclusive representation of the female experience, expressed through painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media.
Artists include Scottish Fine Art photographer Soo Burnell whose work is represented by galleries around the world. Her photograph, Marshall Street, is currently on display at the Design Museum in London.
DIVE will also showcase the UK debut of San Francisco based artist and educator Jenifer K Wofford’s series of prints celebrating diver Victoria (Vicki) Manalo Draves, the first Asian American to win Olympic Gold, at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. Wofford’s painted mural, VMD, is on display at SFMoMA.
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​Exciting new works by established Bristol based artists including Annie Clay, Polly Luce, Jenni Stuart and Lucie Sheridan will also be on display.
Women’s work is still underrepresented and undervalued in the art world. Sales of artworks produced by women accounted for only around 2% of the total sales at auction between 2008-2019. Researchers also found that work by female artists sells on average for 42% less than male artists. (Forbes)
It is our goal through DIVE to contribute towards shifting this narrative by celebrating and elevating the work and sales of contemporary women artists whose work we love and admire.
