Art / the island
The Island Open Studios is back
In the heart of Bristol City Centre, The Island is home to a number of studio holders working across artforms – from visual to performance art, textiles and costume design, photography, as well as dance and circus practice.
It also hosts a busy and varied programme of teaching, workshops, events and exhibitions all year round.
Rob and Sophie Wheeler of grafitti and mural artists Graft, residents at The Island – photo: courtesy of the artists
The Island is part of the charity Artspace Lifespace, which is able to offer residencies to artists of all disciplines, at no cost.
is needed now More than ever
In return, artists will be subject to a number of requirements, which may include mentoring, showing their work, or giving a talk or Q&A from which new artists may benefit.
Veteran performance artist Tom Marshman is also a studio holder at The Island – photo: Paul Blakemore
The annual Open Studios weekend is a showcase for the rich tapestry of work being produced at The Island.
Lizzie Stone is an abstract painter based at the venue, with a predilection for bold, bright colours.
Painting by Lizzie Stone – photo: courtesy of the artist
Her work is continually evolving, and is often shaped by, chance, manipulation, or the unpredictable nature of the paint she uses.
“Each mark and impression represents a brief stop in time”, she explains. “A moment which was once created in the present has now become a moment of the past.”
Stretched canvas by Rory Bennett, 2025 – photo: courtesy of the artist
Using his practice as therapy for his mental health, graffiti artist turned painter and illustrator Rory Bennett is also a studio holder at The Island. “Art for me has always been an escape”, he says.
“It helps me to get out of my anxious head and lay down, in a flippant fashion, the things that bother me. I do this through my movement while painting or creating illustrative cartoons that poke fun at modern life.”
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The Island Open Studios is on September 25-28 at The Island, Nelson St. For more information visit www.artspace.uk or follow @theislandbristol. Apply for an ASLS residency here.
Main photo: Lizzie Stone (extract from painting by the artist)
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