BRIGHTON.- Brighton Photo Biennial​ returns 28 September - 28 October 2018 across Brighton & Hove, showcasing eighteen artists across eight venues. The theme for its eighth edition is titled ​A New Europe ​and the festival is curated by Photoworks Director, ​Shoair​ ​Mavlian, ​working with​ ​local and international partners. The full programme includes: ​Heather Agyepong​, ​Bill Brandt, ​Tereza Červeňová, ​The Cross Channel Photographic Mission, Aikaterini Gegisian​, ​Uta Kögelsberger, ​É meric Lhuisset, Robin Maddock, Hrair Sarkissian, Harley Weir and Donovan Wylie.

Examining the current state of flux as the United Kingdom redefines its role in Europe, ​A New Europe draws on one of the most important geopolitical events of our time. The UK’s status within the EU may be changing, but geographically we will remain part of Europe – with a shared history and intertwined future. Much of the photography in Brighton Photo Biennial 2018 responds to this current uncertainty and explores Britain’s geography as an island, the ongoing refugee crisis and photography’s role in the construction of national identity.

The exhibition programme:

Heather Agyepong
Habitus: Potential Realities
Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street
A Photoworks commission in partnership with Brighton & Hove Libraries Services for Brighton Photo Biennial 2018
A new commission documenting young Brighton & Hove residents’ concerns and hopes for British identity once the UK exits the EU. Heather Agyepong is creating a series of constructed self-portraits informed by interviews and facilitated workshops with diverse participants where perspectives will be challenged and identities reimagined.

Bill Brandt
The English at Home
University of Brighton Galleries - Edward Street
Published less than two years after his arrival in London, Brandt’s photobook juxtaposes different levels of society in 1930s England. This seminal photobook is now recognised as one of the first attempts to photograph a nation. The original book will be displayed alongside reproductions of the most iconic pages.

Tereza Červeňova
June
University of Brighton Galleries - Edward Street
An autobiographical response to the June 2016 referendum, Červeňová, a European artist living and working in the UK, explores how meanings of home and plans for the future are now shaken and in limbo.

Aikaterini Gegisian
Third Person (Plural): Prelude - Brotherhood
University of Brighton Galleries - Edward Street
Using archival public information films about the ​Brotherhood Week interfaith programme unearthed from postwar American newsreels, this is the prelude of a film project exploring the construction of supranational identities.

Uta Kögelsberger
Uncertain Subjects: Part II
Jubilee Square
A single billboard will be posted and reposted with head and bare shoulder portraits of people who feel alienated within their own country. The work gives a voice to those who feel they are not being heard in the current Brexit negotiations. ​The re-posting of images will take place as live performances throughout the festival.

Émeric Lhuisset
L'Autre Rive
University of Brighton Galleries - Edward Street
The works use unfixed cyanotypes to tell stories of different generations who have migrated to Europe. The images will fade to blocks of blue - reflecting the sea and the colour of the EU flag.

Robin Maddock
Nothing We Can’t Fix By Running Away
For the last twenty years, Robin Maddock has travelled England building his egalitarian portrait of national identity. The Brexit referendum prompted Maddock to return to his long-term subject in an attempt to understand the country’s current state. The resulting images are exhibited here for the first time.

Hrair Sarkissian
Homesick
24 Dukes Lane
In an attempt to take back control, Sarkissian confronts his own nightmare, constructing and then destroying an architectural model of the apartment building in Damascus, Syria where his parents are still living. The work is presented here as a two screen video installation.

Cross Channel Photographic Mission
University of Brighton Galleries - Grand Parade
In partnership with CRP/ Centre Régional de la Photographie Hauts-de-France Photoworks began life in 1987 as the Cross Channel Photographic Mission, an organisation with a French counterpart and a joint mission to explore the landscape and communities affected by the construction of The Channel Tunnel. Led by the CRP/ Centre régional de la photographie Hauts-de-France, more than twenty five years on, this exhibition focuses on work and archival material related to the commissions made in France and includes over sixty pieces from Lewiz Baltz, Marilyn Bridges, Christian Courreges, Fabiana Figueiredo, Jean-Louis Garnell, Bruce Gilden, Josef Koudelka, Philippe Lesage, Bernard Plossu & Michel Butor. The exhibition has been curated by Inès de Bordas.

Harley Weir
Homes
Fabrica
Photographs taken immediately before and during the destruction of the migrant and refugee camp in Calais known as The Jungle are being shown in Fabrica. In this series of sixteen works Weir underlines shared humanity by focusing on domestic and intimate details against a backdrop of displacement and uncertainty. The series was originally published as a fundraising edition by Loose Joints and the book has been re-published for the Biennial.

Donovan Wylie
Lighthouse
Fishing Quarter Gallery
Photographing lighthouses from neighbouring coastlines, Belfast based Wylie offers a literal examination of our national borders and reveals both closeness and distance. Here, for Brighton Photo Biennial 2018, a single large scale image is positioned by The Channel.

Photography Club
University of Brighton Galleries - Grand Parade
Photoworks’ extensive learning & engagement programme offers different entry points to meet the needs of diverse audiences of children, young people, teachers, families and communities with activities structured to encourage making, talking and learning about photography. Since 2015, in partnership with a wide range of organisations across the city, Photoworks runs regular Photography Clubs. Here young people meet on a regular basis to take part in workshops led by an experienced photographer, learn new skills, discover, explore and have fun with photography. Led by Photographer, ​Lynn Weddle​, young participants have responded in their own way to the themes of this year’s Biennial and resulting work will be shared in this exhibition.