Join us for the preview of Platform 2026, our annual exhibition celebrating the next generation of emerging artists from across the south

Platform 2026 presents the work of 10 emerging artists from universities across the South Coast, as they take their first steps into professional artistic careers following graduation.

For Aspex, Platform is an important opportunity to champion artists at a pivotal moment in their artistic development. Moving from the structure and support of university into the professional art world can be an exciting but challenging transition, and the exhibition provides artists with the opportunity to exhibit in a professional gallery, connect with audiences and develop their professional networks.

This year’s exhibition brings together a diverse range of practices including painting, photography, sculpture, installation, film, illustration and mixed media. Across the exhibition, the artists explore memory and nostalgia, identity, ecology, psychological experience, landscape, local history, immigration and the built environment.

Exhibiting artists

Lucy Grant, Maisie Rose (Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton)

Katherine Bouleau, Ana Carceller Córdoba (UCA Farnham)

Kai Grizzle, Sian Chungh (Chhainguns) (Southampton Solent University)

Lauren Rufford, Helena Jane (University of Portsmouth)

Phillippa Todd, Madeline Drake (Arts University Bournemouth)

Artist networking

From 5.30pm, we invite artists and art workers to arrive early for an additional half-hour of networking before the main preview begins.

Booking

Tickets are pay what you can. As an arts and educational charity, we greatly appreciate any donations you are able to make to ensure we can continue to deliver an enriching programme of free exhibitions, activities and more.

Accessibility

The exhibition is located in our Main Gallery on the ground floor, with step-free access. Large-print exhibition texts will be available at the gallery entrance. More information on accessibility at Aspex can be found here.

Description supplied by the event organiser.