Royal Photographic Society opens new Bristol HQ

This month, the prestigious Royal Photographic Society opens its new centre for photography – right here in Bristol (and a mere few yards from the Bristol 24/7 office).

RPS’ new cultural centre at Paintworks will showcase the best contemporary UK photography via exhibition spaces and a 100-seater auditorium, as well as acting as an education resource and archive.

The Bristol HQ’s opening exhibition, the International Photography Exhibition 161, features a curated mix of photography from established and young photographers alike. These 100 images by 54 international photographers cover a wide range of photographic practices, from portraiture and landscape to the personal and social commentary.

Here’s the RPS’ chief operating officer Michael Taylor to tell us more.

So, Michael, welcome to Bristol. What are the aims of the RPS in general…
The RPS exists to promote both the art and the science of photography.
We do this by working with photographers and people who care deeply about the medium. We are a charity, and our aim is to make a difference to people through photography.

The Royal Photographic Society’s chief operating officer Michael Taylor at the new RPS House, Paintworks, Bristol. Pic: Rebecca Faith Photography

… and of your new Bristol HQ in particular?
This building gives us a public exhibition space for the first time since 2001, so that we can show the best of photography to inspire and excite the public. The building is part of the charity’s wider strategy supporting photography, engaging photographers, and educating the public – looking to the future at a time when photography and the moving image have never been more relevant to the human experience.

Exterior view of RPS House

And in what ways, do you believe, can photography can make a difference?
Photography is a powerful medium which can be used to effect change and contribute positively society. Our 2018 campaign Hundred Heroines celebrated women in photography and marked 100 years since the women’s suffrage movement in the UK. It was incredibly positive and added our voice to the global discussion on equality. Going forward, we aim to explore other contemporary issues like environmentalism, mental health and global conflict.

This pic and below: some of the many striking images on view at the inaugural International Photography Exhibition 161 at RPS House.
This pic: Christopher Bethell, ‘Motel’

Tell us what will be going on around the building.
Our new home at Paintworks will allow us to produce events and to expand our educational activities. The building has a gallery, an education and resource centre (where people can explore our collection of books on photography), a 101-seat auditorium, and offices for our staff. Our 2019 theme is ‘Discovery’, so you can expect lots of stunning exhibitions, workshops, screenings and talks that explore that idea.
We will also be hosting our distinctions assessments in the new state-of-the-art auditorium: these are portfolio assessments where anyone can get their photography accredited by a panel of experts.

Tom Blachford, ‘Futuro’

Give us a brief summary of the IPE 161 exhibition.
The International Photography Exhibition is now in its 165th year, which is remarkable. We’re excited to open with this show of 100 contemporary and traditional images by 54 photographers. It demonstrates the sheer breadth of photographic genres out there, from landscape to portraiture to science. It simultaneously explores themes like identity, political commentary, heritage and the environment. There are so many intriguing stories in these photographs!

Jannicke Wiik-Nielsen, ‘Beautifully Dangerous’

IPE 161 has a lot of Bristol connections, as it features local photographers Fergus Coyle, Samuel W.J. Fordham, Jamie E. Murray and Luke Withers.
We’ll be announcing our next show soon, so keep your eyes peeled on our website and social media channels!

International Photography Exhibition 161 Royal Photographic Society, RPS House, Paintworks, Feb 7-March 24, Thur 10am-6pm / Fri 11am-7pm / weekends 10am-5pm. For more info, visit rps.org/competitions/ipe-161

Sebastian Delgado, ‘Keep Moving’

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