Major retrospective for Bristol-born Stephen Gill

Coming up for Air: Stephen Gill – A Retrospective is presented as part of Arnolfini’s 60th anniversary programme this Autumn.

Curated by Gill himself, together with Arnolfini executive director Gary Topp, the exhibition brings together photographic prints, original photo books, proofs and a wealth of archival material in celebration of 30 years of practice.

Gill’s unique experimental style has its roots in his explorations of the minutiae of the natural world in his childhood garden. The Bristol-born photographer has been dubbed a ‘documentarist’ and a ‘visual poet’, known for a bold and mercurial approach that never relies blur the boundaries between art forms, never being constrained by them.

From Talking to Ants (2009-2013) – photo: Stephen Gill

Amongst his experimental techniques, he has elevated the camera on top of a 25-foot pole, put found objects inside it, saturated film with liquids, and overlayed images with natural materials. The resulting images are lyrical and often lo-fi, distilling a powerful sense of place through a very unique lens.

The retrospective includes Gill’s latest series Please Notify the Sun, and features selected images from previous collections Hackney Flowers, Buried, Talking to Ants, Night Procession, Pigeons, Coexistence and Coming up for Air. It is also the first UK presentation of images from Gill’s photographic series and award-winning book The Pillar.

From Hackney Wick (2001-2005) – photo: Stephen Gill

It’s a lovely dream realised for the photographer who, as a child, took his first photography course at Bristol’s Watershed, and as a teenager had ambitions to exhibit at Arnolfini, where he was a regular visitor to photographic exhibitions.

“To be presenting so many years of work in one venue and one that I knew from a teen will I’m sure be one of my most memorable exhibitions from a personal point of view,” he reflects. “A kind of pause and chance to draw together so much work that has never been presented side by side. A chance to stop and look backwards at these descriptions, reactions, extractions of place made during these times in which we live.

“Hopefully people will feel all the energy, sights and ideas and it will come pouring back in their direction and align, move or inspire visitors. It’s so great for this exhibition to commence in the city in which I grew up. So a kind of full circle.”

Gill’s photographs are now held in private and public collections around the world, and he has exhibited at world-renowned galleries including the National Portrait Gallery, Tate, Victoria Miro Gallery, Palais des Beau Arts and Haus Der Kunst.

From The Pillar (2015-2019) – photo: Stephen Gill

Coming up for Air: Stephen Gill – A Retrospective is at Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA until January 16, 2022. The exhibition is free but slots are bookable in advance via www.headfirstbristol.co.uk. Some additional walk-in slots may be available on the day.

Main photo: portrait by Mengxi Zhang

Read more: Bristol Photo Festival’s Autumn Showcase

Listen to the latest episode of the Bristol 24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: