Aspex to Present Ten Emerging Artists in ‘The Shape of a Spell’

Aspex Portsmouth will present ‘The Shape of a Spell’, an exhibition bringing together ten emerging artists from universities across the South Coast. The show will be on view from 18 September to 15 November 2026, with a preview at the gallery on 17 September.

The exhibition is part of the Platform Graduate Award, an annual showcase of emerging artistic talent. It brings together artists at the point when they are beginning professional careers after graduation, with participating institutions including Winchester School of Art at the University of Southampton, UCA Farnham, Southampton Solent University, the University of Portsmouth and Arts University Bournemouth.

Across painting, photography, sculpture, installation, film, illustration and mixed media, the exhibition addresses landscapes, materials, memories, folklore, local histories and deep time. The event listing also identifies themes including nostalgia, identity, ecology, psychological experience, immigration and the built environment.

The participating artists are Lucy Grant and Maisie Rose from Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton; Katherine Bouleau and Ana Carceller Córdoba from UCA Farnham; Kai Grizzle and Sian Chungh, also listed as Chhainguns, from Southampton Solent University; Lauren Rufford and Helena Jane from the University of Portsmouth; and Phillippa Todd and Madeline Drake from Arts University Bournemouth.

The preview will take place on Thursday 17 September from 5:30pm to 8pm at Aspex Portsmouth’s Main Gallery in the Vulcan Building. The event listing says artists and art workers can arrive from 5:30pm for an additional half-hour of networking before the main preview. Tickets are pay what you can.

‘The Shape of a Spell’ will be presented on the gallery’s ground floor, with step-free access and large-print exhibition texts available at the entrance. Aspex Portsmouth is located at The Vulcan Building, Portsmouth PO1 3BF; the exhibition runs from 18 September through 15 November 2026.