The New Newcomers Being an Artist in Bristol Today

Qezz Gill is a creator and visual storyteller based in Bristol. Camerawork, text and design are always at the forefront of her work. Originally from Pakistan, she uses a variety of art forms to create narratives based on identity, youth culture and heritage for magazines, broadcasting channels, film, social action charities and cultural campaigns. She takes her experiences as an immigrant and an emerging female filmmaker to redefine what it means to be an ethnic creator in the sector. She co-founded an all-female led platform named Purple Girls Collective.

Saili Katebe is a Zambian-born writer and performer based in the south west of England. His work has featured on stages across the country, in poetry films such as Portrait of the Poet as Protest for the BBC and a multi-media installation, Iron Island, on-site at the SS Great Britain. His work explores storytelling through collaboration and creative experimentation.

Jo Kimber is a writer, producer and zine maker. She often collaborates with the artist Alec Stevens, with a focus on telling queer stories that history has often forgotten. Together they have shown they work internationally and are currently working on a social engagement project in Weymouth. Jo also produced and wrote the first series of the podcast The Residents, which explores the creative sector in Bristol. She is also part of Queer Vision, writing articles, facilitating workshops and putting on queer film events throughout the year. She is currently working on a short film and trying to finish her first novel.

Image credit: Ruby Turner

Frances Pope is a writer and French-English translator working in the arts and in music journalism, as well as with non-profits and academic journals. She lived in Montreal, Canada for five years, and she moved to Bristol upon returning to the UK in the middle of lockdown. She has two published poetry collections and occasionally organises open mic nights at the community bookshop in Clifton. She is also a music editor at the Bristol-based Everyday Magazine.

1990s Chris is a queer working class writer from Hereford, based in Bristol. He writes primarily for film, audio and performance. He supported Sleaford Mods on their All That Glue launch in 2020, and toured with Talk Show in 2021. His latest radio play was featured on BBC Radio 4’s  ‘United Kingdoms’ series and was Pick of the Week. His short film, Factory Talk, won best artist film at Aesthetic festival and was aired on Channel 4 as part of Iris Prize’s Best British Shorts. His work hopes to start conversations around queer identity, masculinity, class and accessibility.

Image credit: Danny Obasa

Scarlett Smyth is an artist, poet, and creative producer. She is an advocate of social change and aims to amplify and support quiet voices within the arts from disadvantaged backgrounds. She is represented by Rising Arts Agency and an alumni of BBC Arts, Channel 4 Random Acts, and the pilot scheme Creative Workforce For The Future. She is also a founding member of Bristol Culture Young Collective where she advises on inclusion and accessibility within Bristol museums. She is part of the Creative Youth Network’s The Courts advisory panel, where she contributes to the plans and future of the building and its renovation.