In June 2024 Soma Gallery has turned the grand old age of 20 years old. How quickly has that 20 years gone by? Well, not that quickly. A lot has happened over the 20 years. This isn't a post for reminiscing, that one will come later ;) but over the years we have worked with a huge variety of artists, so it's only fitting that some of them, as well as some new ones, get involved in the 20 years celebration!
We have invited 20 artists to create an edition of original prints. Each print measures 18cm x 24cm and is made in a limited edition of 50.
Twenty prints from each edition will be packaged in an exclusive boxed set and given to the artists as a memento of the project, and as a thank you for being a part of 20 years of Soma. The final thirty will be released to purchase.
This has resulted in a fantastic collection of artwork in a variety of media. We have screen print, wood engraving, letterpress and glitter as a glimpse of some of the processes the artists have employed.
First up is to let you know we will be taking the whole collection of 20 prints to BABE (Bristol Artists Book Event) as well as more fun items including artists books from Andy Smith and Daisy Hirst. BABE is on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th June at UWE Bower Ashton campus.
We will follow this with a pop-up exhibition at Frankenstein Press in Bedminster on Friday 5th to Sunday 7th July.
In no particular order, here is the list of fabulous artists who have created a print for the collection: Adam Bridgland, Susie Brooks, Anthony Burrill & Ian Sanders, Graham Carter, Crispin Finn, Tom Frost, Matthew Green, Fiona Hamilton, Daisy Hirst, Hannah McVicar, Jude Maguire, Anna Marrow, Peski Studio, Pirrip Press, Anna Ruiz, Rob Ryan, Andy Smith, Emma Studd, Melanie Wickham, Spencer Wilson.
The artwork is all available to purchase now from our online gallery. We hope to see our fantastic local customers and friends at BABE the weekend of 29-30th June or at Frankenstein Press 5-7th July.
Read on for more information at the bottom of the page and images of the artwork below. Click on the print title to go directly to the page.
Twenty Red and Blue Balloons, screen print by Crispin Finn
Charlestown, screen print by Jude Maguire
We Used the Stars to Guide Us Home, glitter print by Adam Bridgland
Bird Song, screen print by Matthew Green
La Belle Vie, letterpress relief by Spencer Wilson
Pigeon Racer, screen print by Graham Carter
The Yellow Bellied Toad, screen print by Andy Smith
Serpents, lino cut by Anna Ruiz
Walk With Open Eyes, screen print by Anthony Burrill and Ian Sanders
Untitled, screen print by Rob Ryan
Cow Parsley, screen print by Hannah McVicar
Annet Storm Petrels, screen print by Pirrip Press
Flock of Tiny Waders, lino cut print by Melanie Wickham
Moquette Moggy, screen print by Peski Studio
Newt with Crisps, screen print by Daisy Hirst
Red-Backed Shrike, wood engraving and letterpress by Fiona Hamilton
The Kingfisher, screen print by Tom Frost
Featherweight, screen print by Anna Marrow
Kolmio, screen print by Emma Studd
BABE - Bristol Artist’s Book Event
UWE Bristol, City Campus at Bower Ashton, Kennel Lodge Road, Bristol BS3 2JT
29-30th June 11am – 5pm
Soma Gallery at Frankenstein Press
31 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1EN
5-7th July
Friday 5th, Saturday 6th 11am-5pm
Sunday 7th 11am – 4pm