About

Brighton Photo Biennial returns 28 September - 28 October 2018 with a month of free photography exhibitions and events for professionals, enthusiasts, students and families alike. The theme for its eighth edition is A New Europe and the festival will be curated by the newly appointed Photoworks Director, Shoair Mavlian.

The United Kingdom’s status in the European Union may be changing, however, geographically Britain will remain part of Europe, with a shared history and intertwined future. At this transitional point, we will use photography to examine our current state of flux, reflecting on our relationship with Europe and the geographies of the United Kingdom. A New Europe will cast a wide net to examine the current instability looking at the ongoing refugee crisis as well as photography’s role in the construction of national identity.

The theme will also allow us to look back at Photoworks' own beginnings as the Cross Channel Photographic Mission, a collaborative photographic partnership which took place during the construction of the channel tunnel. The Biennial will present work from national and international practitioners and we're looking forward to collaborating with local and international partners to share exceptional photography with a wide audience.

Previous editions have been curated by Martin Parr (New Documents, 2010), Julian Stallabrass (Memory of Fire, 2008), Gilane Tawadros (2006), and Jeremy Millar (2003). Since 2012 Brighton Photo Biennial has been curated by Photoworks.

Photoworks is a national development agency for photography. We curate the Brighton Photo Biennial and our photography and visual culture journal Photoworks Annual. We support talent through the national Jerwood/Photoworks Awards and our wider programme includes commissions, new writing, learning and engagement projects. Our aim is to connect outstanding artists with audiences and to champion talent and ambition. Photoworks is a charitable organisation based at the University of Brighton, UK and is a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England.

2016

Beyond the Bias - Reshaping Image

Curated by Photoworks

The seventh Brighton Photo Biennial (BPB16) Beyond the Bias - Reshaping Image focussed on identity and understandings of our personal and projected image as influenced by the pervasive genre of fashion and style photography. The festival explored photography's role in defining and informing our understandings of subjects such as: gender and sexuality, the representation of the body, the politics of style, subcultures and the subversion of social and cultural norms.

Visit Site

Brighton Photo Biennial 2016 - Beyond the Bias - Reshaping Image

? Ewen Spencer, from the series 'Kick over the statues', a Fabrica and Photoworks co-commission for Brighton Photo Biennial, 2016

Lost City, Laudium Bus Depot ? Lathigra/Sekgala 2014

2014

Communities, Collectives & Collaboration

Curated by Photoworks

For the sixth Brighton Photo Biennial (BPB14), we worked in close partnership with a host of regional, national and international collaborators to develop a series of new projects based around the theme of Communities, Collectives & Collaboration. The 2014 festival embraced novel perspectives and fresh approaches to generate new work plus new presentations of archive material.

Visit Site

2012

Agents of Change: Photography and the Politics of Space

Curated by Photoworks

The fifth Brighton Photo Biennial (BPB12) explored how space is constructed, controlled and contested, how photography is implicated in these processes, and the tensions and possibilities involved in this dialogue.

Exhibitions in galleries and public spaces around the City included work by Edmund Clark, Omer Fast, Julian Germain, Jason Larkin, Trevor Paglen, Corinne Silva, Thomson & Craighead and more.

Visit Site

Brighton Photo Biennial 2012 - Agents of Change: Photography and the Politics of Space

? The Argus The National Front March Through Castle Square, Brighton 1981

? Viviane Sassen Prosper, from the series Flamboya 2006

2010

New Documents

Curated by Martin Parr

BPB10 reflected the immediacy and vibrancy of contemporary photographic practice, the eclectic passions found in collections of historic and vernacular photography and new commissions informed and inspired by the diverse communities and contexts of Brighton & Hove.

The fourth Brighton Photo Biennial included work by Alec Soth, Rinko Kawauchi, Vivian Sassen, Stephen Gill, Alejandro Chaskielberg, Billy Monk and more.

Visit Site

2008

Memory of Fire: The War of Images and Images of War

Curated by Julian Stallabrass

The 2008 Brighton Photo Biennial examined photographic images of war, their making, use, circulation, and currency in contemporary society.

This third edition on the festival included work from Broomberg & Chanarin, Don McCullin, Frank Hurley, Geert Van Kesteren, Philip Jones Griffiths, Simon Norfolk, Thomas Hirschorn amongst many others.

Visit Site

Brighton Photo Biennial 2008 - Memory of Fire: The War of Images and Images of War

? Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, Baghdad, 2004

? 1963 The Richard Avedon Foundation, Courtesy The Richard Avedon Foundation

2006

Curated by Gilane Tawadros

The second Brighton Photo Biennial brought together historical, contemporary and newly-commissioned photographic and moving image works by a range of artists exploring the thin line between past and present, fact and fiction, illusion and reality.

BPB06 exhibitions included works from Richard Avedon, David Claerbout, William Eggleston, Walker Evans, Paul Fusco, Alfredo Jaar, Steve McQueen , Lee Miller, Henna Nadeem, Mitra Tabrizian and Fiona Tan.

Visit Site

2003

Curated by Jeremy Millar

The inaugural Brighton Photo Biennial presented the new and encouraged a reconsideration of the familiar.

Exhibitions around the city included work from Alec Finlay, Peter Fraser, Rachel Harrison, Mark Leckey, Boris Mikhailov and Beat Streuli.

Visit Site

Brighton Photo Biennial 2003 - Curated by Jeremy Millar

? Peter Fraser, Two Blue Buckets, 1988

Get Involved

Keep up to Date

To be amongst the first to hear about plans for the next Brighton Photo Biennial be sure to sign up to the Photoworks newsletter.

Becoming a Photoworks Member is a great way to participate in and support our work and enjoy a wide range of benefits.

Supporting Us

As a charitable organisation, Photoworks has produced some of the most talked about and acclaimed photography and artist projects of the past two decades. We offer dynamic year round opportunities to partner with us.

Sponsors and individual supporters enjoy a wide range of uniquely tailored associated benefit, contact Zoltan zoltan@photoworks.org.uk.

To partner with us please contact our Director, Shoair Mavlian at shoair@photoworks.org.uk.

Exhibiting Work

We are interested in new work. If you would like to show us your work, please submit via our Photoworks Showcase. Brighton Photo Biennial is a curated festival, but sometimes elements are generated from an open call. Be sure to sign up to the Photoworks newsletter to be amongst the first to hear of any suitable opportunities.

Volunteer with us

We rely on the support of volunteers for the Biennial and will be on the look out for people to join us for BPB18. Photoworks volunteers come from diverse backgrounds with differing levels of experience. There are a variety of ways to get involved whether you are looking to gain some experience, meet new people or get back into the workplace. Roles, include?gallery invigilators, information assistants, installation assistants, event photographers, programme distributors, hospitality and event assistants, evaluation assistants, plus a number of office based roles.?Volunteers receive initial training and ongoing support from the team with flexibility around your commitments. Be sure to sign up to the Photoworks newsletter to be amongst the first to hear about opportunities.