BV Open Studios returns in April

Tucked away in an industrial corner of Bedminster, the generously sized BV Studios may be a mystery to many that walk past.

Once home to a printing works, and latterly a motor parts company, it has since 2010 provided affordable and secure studio space for a diverse community of artists and creatives.

Currently there are over 125 artists at BV, ranging from painters, sculptors, ceramicists, illustrators, textile designers, weavers, upholsterers and framers, to film-makers, digital artists, animators, writers, performers, installation artists and a pole-dancing studio.

The hugely popular – and usually annual – BV Open Studios weekend returns on April 8, following an extended hiatus owing to the pandemic.

It promises to be a chance to explore the labyrinthine building, taking in the film studios and cinema in the basement, into all the numerous artist spaces, right through to the wood working studios at the end of the ground floor, and up to the upper floor mezzanines.

The foyer will be open for food and drink, where Fantasy Orchestra will also be making an appearance over the weekend.

To give Bristol24/7 a flavour of the event, some of the many artists showing work at Open Studios explained a little about their artistic practice, and their personal history at BV.

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Angie Parker – textile artist making rugs, blankets and artworks with handwoven wool, linen and cotton

“I’m not a typical weaver. I combine my weaving with an instinctive and daring approach to colour, and it’s the creative process of importing a contemporary element to the time honoured techniques of weaving and the responses from the viewer which most excite me.

Photo: Angie Parker

“Open Studios will be the first opportunity for me to showcase the new looms from the prestigious Collingwood rug weaving workshop which I recently acquired, plus 2 tonnes of rug wool! I will be showing the new editions of The Bristol Blanket, handwoven rugs and textile artworks, as well as doing weaving demonstrations.

“I moved into BV in 2014 when I set up my weaving studio and have since expanded my space to accommodate my business growth. I feel very fortunate to be part of this special place in Bristol’s art scene, and the smell of oil paint reminds me of my time at Art college, when the dream of running my own textile practice felt impossible. There’s such hope and optimism in this building and I never take that for granted.”

Bristol Rug – photo: Angie Parker

Ben Goodman – contemporary wood engraver and printmaker

“I use wood engraving (which is generally a very traditional medium) but I use it in a new and different way. I try to push the medium beyond its roots to see how far it can go and what can be achieved. My prints usually consist of roughly 15 layers and resemble miniature paintings.

“At BV Open Studios I will be showing my engravings and some of the tools and wood blocks I use to create them. I will also have on display my huge cast iron printing press (built in 1875).

John – photo: Ben Goodman

“I came to BV in 2012 when I was trying to find a space that was suitable for a huge Victorian printing press I’d found for sale. My studio was originally in Stokes Croft, on the third floor of Hamilton House. But the press was too heavy to lift up the stairs.

“To make matters worse, I only had a week to save the press from a demolition site in Yate. So I desperately phoned around to find a new studio and BV came to my rescue. I’ve been there for 10 years and absolutely love it. It’s full of amazing artists and I’ve made some great friends over the years.”

Joseph – photo: Ben Goodman

Catherine Knight – painter working in oils and watercolour

“I will be showing some of my Full Moon series, which are small oil paintings on paper, inspired by images of the full moon crowd-sourced from all over the world via a call out on social media.

“This series is a way to create a sense of connection with people in many different places, all taking a moment to regard the full moon; the same moon for everyone, seen from a multitude of viewpoints.

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Full Moon series – photo: Catherine Knight

“I joined BV right at the very beginning when it opened in 2010, before I knew south Bristol well. I have since moved to Totterdown and had two children so I feel that BV was really the starting point for building my life in Bristol.

“It’s a supportive community of artists who, for the majority of the time, are all working away behind closed doors. Open Studios is so special, as it’s a chance to see what everyone has been doing.”

07.52, 17th January 2022, Totterdown, Bristol – photo: Catherine Knight

Harriet White – painter working in oils, alternating supports between aluminium panels and stretched linen

“It’s been three years since the last Open Studios weekend, so I’ll have some new work not previously seen.

“I’ve been working on large portraits and flower paintings in tandem and will be showing a few finished pieces, alongside some small paintings on aluminium with a forest/botanical theme.

Sphere – photo: Harriet White

“I joined the studios in early 2010 when they had just opened, and after a string of temporary spaces it was so good to have somewhere to put down roots.

“Although the reality is that on a day-to-day basis my work is pretty solitary, I really love being part of a community of artists and find it exciting to be working in a place with such a broad range of creativity all around. And Open Studios is such a great opportunity to be reminded of that; I’m so looking forward to seeing what everyone’s been up to.”

Façade – photo: Harriet White

Nikki Allford – tape artist, working primarily in masking tape, parcel tape and electrical tape; installation artist and maker

“For about eight years I have been using tape as my primary medium. I use all kinds, with masking, parcel and electrical electrical tape being my preferred types. Each has its own particular inherent qualities.

“My practice involves time-consuming, repetitive processes as I push the possibilities of my chosen materials. Outcomes are left unsettled, emphasising the physicality and materiality of the tape. Structures and installations are created from the accumulation of lines and tape.

Gush (electrical tape) – photo: Nikki Allford

“I’m interested in creating work for unusual, atmospheric spaces. My Installations have a presence that disrupts a space as I continuously search for new ways to inhabit a site. Ideas of memory and place are explored. Photography, often incorporating the body, also forms an element in my work.

“I have been at BV since the beginning. I like the diversity of art here. I use Open Studios as an opportunity to experiment and show ideas I have been developing without the time constraints of showing in exhibitions.

“This year I will be including The Swan Maker series, started during lockdown, which is an installation looking at themes of nature/nurture, life/death, refuge, reality shift/distortion; alongside my installations Bloom, Bud and Otherworlds.”

Mapping the Body (masking tape) – photo: Nikki Allford

BV Open Studios is on April 8 at 7-10pm, April 9 at 11am-5pm, and April 10 at 11am-4pm. Entry is free. For more information, go to www.bvstudios.co.uk.

Main photo: André Pattenden

Read more: Preview: BV Studios: Open Studios 2018

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