DANCE OUT!

Yours truly with Denzil Forrester's epic Blue Tent (1984) - photo Tim Mainstone

I'm so proud of my new exhibition at the RWA in Bristol!

Dance Out is an exhibition of paintings, drawings and film that celebrates dance as an everyday human activity, both solitary and social. The RWA itself will shape-shift during the exhibition, with the main daylit galleries hosting a series of dance and dance-related events.

I co-curated the show with David Remfry; we've brought together paintings, drawings and film across decades of dance culture – from 20^th century London and New York to Bristol’s contemporary nightlife.

‘Dance Out’ features David's fabulous watercolours of dancers and the monumental Blue Tent by Denzil Forrester, which captures the energy of 1980s Black British nightlife and is shown by other Carnival-inspired works by Paul Dash and John Lyons, and a premiere from contemporary artist Zoe Spowage. Short films from Tracey Emin RA and Gillian Wearing reflect on the personal and social importance of dance and nightclub culture, and other exhibiting artists include rising star Amy Dury,  Paula Rego, and Melanie Manchot whose captivating film Night Moves was commissioned by the RWA.

Visitors are greeted by RWA Academician Dorcas Casey's stunning new scultptural work May Day, which hangs in the dome over the landing, and which references Morris dance culture and folklore.

A fully accessible, haptic Beat Blocks dancefloor has been installed in the main gallery. This innovative piece of sonic technology transforms sound frequencies into powerfully felt vibrations. Music from speakers in the dancefloor itself fills the gallery during opening hours, with a curated soundtrack to the exhibition mixed by DJ d4rling and featuring mixes by Josephine Gyasi and DJ Devolicious. For a series of late-night events, the gallery will host some of Bristol’s most exciting dance talent including Bristol Swing Riot and more.

This isn't just an exhibition about dance. It's a show that has at its heart the understanding that people need to dance. So if you're in Bristol why not go along, take in the films, paintings and drawings and, if you feel like it, have a dance yourself!

Dance Out is at the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol, until 9 August 2026.