Stories from Phoenix is an archive project and creative collaboration that looks at the
early history of Phoenix Art Space (1992 – 2017) through various perspectives. Drawing
upon interviews, images, archival materials, and written narratives, the project examines
the genesis and evolution of a unique organisation that was originally set up and run by
artists in response to the pressing need for studio and exhibition space in Brighton.

Charting its evolution from an artist collective renting a dilapidated building to becoming
the largest studio/arts venue in the region, the stories from Phoenix shine a light on the
creativity, collaborative effort and hard graft that goes into building an organisation from
the ground up.

For this exhibition we are dipping into the archive and presenting a small slice of the
material it holds. Using posters, flyers, photo collage and text, we are approaching it as a
personal, creative and experimental project, rather than as an official history.

Stories from Phoenix is an ongoing project being developed by Belinda Greenhalgh,
Ottilie Hainsworth and Karin Mori, with contributions from a range of people who have
been involved with the organisation over the years.

Image credit: Andrew Gifford – Pigment and Light