Backlit Gallery

18/04/2025

Step into Alfred House—once a Victorian textile factory, now BACKLIT Gallery—and uncover the threads of its radical past.

Morley Threads is BACKLIT’s short, eerie browser game.

Created by HotKnife, the game invites you to explore Alfred House as it once was, a place where the threads of lace, empire, and resistance hang in the dark.

Walk through what is now our Main Gallery.

Hover over tangled threads to reveal historical objects: underwear, swimwear, photographs, and Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Each one is a trace of Nottingham’s workers, traders, and agitators—caught in the machinery.

At the centre is Samuel Morley—the building’s founder, MP, and abolitionist who helped make Uncle Tom’s Cabin one of the most widely read books in 19th-century Britain.

A book that stirred public opinion—and became a spark in the conflict across the Atlantic.

🔗 Play Morley Threads now (Chrome recommended):
https://www.hotknife.co.uk/BacklitWeb_1/

👀Want to go deeper? Explore the Morley Threads Archive by clicking the white arrow in the teal hexagon on the homepage:
https://www.morleythreads.com

We're thrilled that BACKLIT now owns Alfred House. We’re honouring what came before—while building what comes next.

With many thanks to HotKnife for creating the game and to Nottingham City Libraries for supporting it.

09/03/2025

Extra! Extra! Read all about it on the BBC! BACKLIT Gallery secures future with factory purchase! 😃

Bosses say they raised £884,000 in a year to be able to buy Alfred House.

07/03/2025

Big big BIG News: BACKLIT Now Owns Alfred House!

We did it! 🎉 Thanks to incredible support from our funders and community, BACKLIT has raised £884,000 to purchase Alfred House, securing our future as the largest artist studio hub in the East Midlands.

Owning our building means:

🏡 75+ artist studios saved
🖼️ A brand-new ground-floor gallery coming soon
♿ Improved accessibility throughout the building
🌱 Plans for a community garden

We want to give a huge and heartfelt thank you to all our funders and Nottingham City Council. We couldn’t have done it without you:

Arts Council England
Garfield Weston Foundation
The Architectural Heritage Fund
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
The Foyle Foundation
Clothworkers Foundation (The Clothworkers' Foundation)
And everyone who came to and helped out at our festive fundraiser in December.

Because of you, BACKLIT was able to raise £884,000 in under 12 months. This is phenominal and we are truly grateful for your support. Not only have we been able to buy Alfred House, but we can now start improving the building, too.

Click here for our press release: https://backlit.org.uk/whats-on/backlit-purchases-alfred-house

Stay tuned for updates! This is just the beginning!

BACKLIT Gallery buys its historic home in £880,000 fundraising success, and ensures the future of the East Midland’s largest artist studio hub. BACKLIT has raised an incredible £884,000 in just 12 months to buy its home, Alfred House—a historic Victorian textile factory in Sneinton—from the ...

15/02/2025

Exciting News!

BACKLIT is thrilled to announce a generous donation of £150,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation ().

This incredible investment will secure the future of our building and further support our mission to make contemporary art accessible to everyone.

BACKLIT is home to around 100 artists, collectives, and associate members. We support artists at all stages of their creative journeys, providing a supportive space to connect, share ideas, and grow.

A huge thank you to the Garfield Weston Foundation for believing in the impact of BACKLIT’s work and community!

And this is only the beginning… stay tuned for more exciting updates! 👀

06/12/2024

🎄🎉 Slay-bells and Sass is TONIGHT at BACKLIT! 🎉🎄

Looking for a festive party with creativity, fun, and community spirit? We’ve got you covered! Whether you’re a BACKLIT regular or it’s your first time here, everyone’s welcome to join in the festivities.

What’s Happening:

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Workshops & Activities:

🎨 Children’s Workshop with Assunta Ruocco and Sian Watson (all materials provided).
🔮 Tarot Readings with our resident mermaid and practicing witch, Wingshan.
🖋️ Embroidered Christmas Cards with our assistant curator, Luca.
🛍️ Usha’s Curiosities Shop, for anyone hunting for books, plants, or gifts.

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Art Auction

Bid on incredible original pieces, generously donated by 18 artists - plus the Sleaford Mods!

7:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Raffle Draw

We have some amazing prizes for you to win, including a session with the Circus Hub, a pottery workshop, and even an MMA session! There’s also an hour for four at Splash Art Republic worth £140, and even more besides.

8:00 PM – 1:00 AM | DJ Line-Up:

8:00 PM / 8:30 PM: Do Nothing kicks off the night.
9:15 PM: DJ Luxxury brings the energy.
11:00 PM: Charity Shop Sue delivers festive chaos and bangers.
11:30 PM: Princess Trium closes with bold, fearless beats.
1:00 AM: Music ends, but the buzz will live on!

🎟️ Tickets:

£10 on Eventbrite until 4 PM (with a complimentary cocktail): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/backlits-festive-fundraiser-and-auction-tickets-1106324228549?aff=oddtdtcreator

Missed the deadline? Tickets are available on the door!

💫 Why It Matters:

Every ticket supports BACKLIT’s mission to purchase our building and keep our creative community thriving.

📍 BACKLIT Gallery, Alfred House, NG3 1JG

Doors open at 5 PM – come and parteh! 😃

05/12/2024

Join Lumina on the final day of The Last Horror Show to explore and celebrate women in horror!

Lumina, BACKLIT’s arts and feminist studies collective, has spent the past several weeks exploring the role of women in horror, such as the terrifying Bette Davis (pictured) in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"

You’re invited to The Final Brew, a relaxed conversation to explore these themes and your favourite films. We'd love to have you whether you want to share your thoughts or listen and enjoy.

☕ The event is free, with tea and coffee provided.
📅 Saturday, 7th December | 3–5 PM
📍 BACKLIT Gallery, NG3

Spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Please make sure to RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lumina-the-final-brew-celebrating-women-in-horror-tickets-1083149271629?aff=oddtdtcreator

30/11/2024

✨Exclusive Art Auction at Slay-bells and Sass✨

Looking for a special way to celebrate this festive season? Explore our Art Auction at our festive fundraiser, where you can bid on original artworks donated by incredible artists! This is your chance to take home something truly unique while supporting the purchase of our building.

The auction begins at 7 PM and features a stunning lineup of works, including:

• Terry Shave: Painting from the Avenue Now Series (2024) – Mixed Media, 37 x 37 cm | Value: £300
• Jonathan Baldock: Original Ceramic work from the Ceramic Maske Series (2024) – 10 x 15 cm | Value: £2,500
• Jackie Berridge: ‘Lost’ (2024) – Oil on board, 30 x 23 cm (33 x 26 framed) | Value: £350
• Dean: Handmade Architectural Brooch in Silver – A one-of-a-kind wearable art piece
• Lois Sabet: “Pholx” (2015) – Giclée Print | Value: £30
• Neville Smith: Drawing, Mixed Media, 39.5 x 50.5 cm | Value: £120

🤩 More works will be available to bid on during the auction, with updates coming soon to our website!

The Slay-bells and Sass Christmas Party is packed with creative workshops, games, live music, and more. The Art Auction is your chance to own an extraordinary piece of art while celebrating the season!

📅 Friday, 6th of December
📍 BACKLIT Gallery, Nottingham
⏰ Auction Starts at 7 PM
⭐️ Get your tickets now by clicking on the Link Tree in our bio!

29/11/2024

🚨 The Countdown Is ON! 🚨

With just ONE WEEK to go, here’s the official lineup for our Slay-bells and Sass DJ sets! 🎶✨ Don’t miss your chance to grab tickets—link below! ⬇️

🔗 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/slay-bells-and-sass-the-dj-sets-tickets-1098945418329?aff=oddtdtcreator

🎧 8:30 PM | Do Nothing (DJ Set)
Chris Bailey, lead vocalist of Nottingham's Do Nothing, kicks off the night with a genre-blending set. Expect eclectic vibes and a killer start to the evening!

🎧 9:15 PM | DJ Luxxury
High-octane beats and genre-bending mixes—DJ Luxxury brings the energy! From techno to jungle, this is pure adrenaline for the dance floor.

😱 10:00 PM | Last Entry (but the dance floor remains open!)

🎧 11:00 PM | Charity Shop Sue
Bulwell’s Beyoncé is in the house! Expect bangers as bold as her iconic window displays. Festive chaos guaranteed—don’t miss out!

🎧 11:30 PM | Princess Trium
Wrap up the night with fearless rhythms and global beats. Princess Trium brings bold energy and non-stop grooves to keep the party going!

🕐 1:00 AM | Acts Stop – But the buzz will keep on going!

📍 Where: BACKLIT Gallery, Alfred House, NG3 1JG
🎟️ Tickets: £10 on Eventbrite—includes a complimentary cocktail or non-alcoholic drink on arrival!

Every ticket supports BACKLIT’s mission to secure our building and champion Nottingham’s creative community. Let’s party for a cause! 🎉

🔗 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/slay-bells-and-sass-the-dj-sets-tickets-1098945418329?aff=oddtdtcreator

28/11/2024

There were a few uncertainties about the horror show, but one thing was for sure: we gotta have Kim Thompson.

Kim ( .art ) is a Nottingham artist and a bit of a local legend.

Her work often draws from horror pop culture and mythology.

In her interview with about our exhibition, she said:

“I think there is something about the genre that is so appealing, particularly to people who don’t fit within the boundaries of society at times, such as marginalised people. So as a Black, q***r person, there are elements of horror characters that are on the fringes of society which are appealing.”

Kim’s exhibited artwork is a twist on the Medusa story.

Medusa had been a beautiful woman. Athena cursed her, giving her green skin and thrashing venomous snakes for hair. From then on, anyone who looked Medusa in the eye turned to stone. She lived in isolation until Perseus beheaded her.

For this, Perseus is remembered as a hero. Bah!

During the Renaissance, sympathy grew for Medusa. People began to see her with far more complexity. Feminists in the 20th and 21st centuries built on this, seeing her as an icon of female rage and empowerment.

In her painting, Kim places Medusa in a position of power and agency.

In one hand, she holds the severed head of a man. This act of reclamation challenges the ways women are objectified, victimised, or punished.

The snakes as her p***c hair are a powerful, layered symbol. They reinforce Medusa’s identity as a Gorgon, but also reconnect her to her femininity and sexuality. Her stance is proud and free from shame. She reclaims what is often taboo, asserting control over her body and story.

For many, Medusa’s story is a metaphor for the silencing and punishment of marginalised voices. Here, Medusa becomes a figure of justice, challenging systems of violence and domination.

Come and see this artwork in person while you still can!

Exhibition Dates:

26 October - 8 December (Thurs, Fri, Sat)

P.S. Don’t miss our Christmas party! Join us for creative workshops, an art auction, and a night of dancing with live DJs. Head to our Instagram bio now to grab your tickets!

28/11/2024

We’re extremely proud to show Maya Deren’s work Witch’s Cradle at BACKLIT, but who was Maya Deren? And what makes her work so extraordinary?

Maya Deren (1917-1961) was a Ukrainian-American Jewish filmmaker, choreographer, and theorist. Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, her family fled to the United States in 1922 to escape antisemitic violence.

It is there where Deren became a pioneer of avant-garde cinema. Her films that explored themes of ritual, mysticism, and the subconscious.

She shot Witch’s Cradle (1943) in Peggy Guggenheim’s gallery. It was made on a minimal budget, using surrealist techniques such as symbolic imagery and abstract sets.

Deren’s Jewish heritage likely influenced her exploration of ritual and hidden meanings.

By drawing on her own cultural background and collaborating with other exiled European artists, she explored universal themes of transformation and the subconscious.

Deren sought to reveal the hidden, symbolic layers of reality, transcending cultural and personal boundaries to address universal human experiences.

She inspired generations of experimental filmmakers, and helped to establish cinema as a fine art.

Come and see for yourself while you can! There isn’t long to go 😳

Exhibition Dates:

26 October - 8 December (Thurs, Fri, Sat)

Opening Hours:

Thursday: 12pm-5pm
Friday: 12pm-5pm
Saturday: 12pm-5pm

PS. Have you heard about our Christmas party? We are hosting creative workshops, an art auction, and a night of dancing with live DJs! Go to our Instagram bio to secure your tickets 🎟️

27/11/2024

Fantastic Prizes And Where to Find Them! 🥳

Join us on Friday, December 6th, for a festive fair to support the purchase of our gallery and studios!

Take part in our creative workshops, art auction, and live music at BACKLIT Gallery.

It’s a social celebration where you can get hands-on with creative activities while supporting the local arts community.

When: Friday, December 6th
Where: BACKLIT Gallery, NG3 1JG
Who: You! (And don’t forget to invite your friends!)

As part of the event, we’re holding a raffle with brilliant experience-based prizes. Each prize has been generously donated by a Nottingham business:

- Two tickets to Broadway Cinema
- An aerial class from The Circus Hub
- A drumming lesson with Edward Dutton
- A personal training session with world champion MMA fighter Molly Cooper
- An “Introduction to Throwing” workshop at Clay Studio
- An hour-long Splash Art Republic session for four people

We’re incredibly grateful to these local businesses for supporting BACKLIT and our creative community. (Photos and more details coming soon!)

🎟 Tickets for the event are available now via the Eventbrite link in our Instagram bio:

Bio > Linktree > Slay-bells and Sass event

If you’re reading this on Facebook, click here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/backlits-festive-fundraiser-and-auction-tickets-1106324228549

Every penny will go toward purchasing our building.

23/11/2024

Get ready, chazzers: the Beyoncé of Bulwell - the manager of music! - is bringing her sec*hand glam and questionable taste in bangers to our Slay-bells and Sass Christmas Party!

Expect beats as iconic as Sue's window displays and dance moves fresh off her exclusive connections in Paris.

Whether you’re a longtime Sue-perfan or new to the chaos, this is your chance to party with Bulwell’s biggest star.

And stay tuned—Sue’s not our only act. One more surprise DJ reveal is on the way!

📅When: Friday 6th of December
🎤 Music starts at 8:30 PM
📍Where: BACKLIT Gallery, Alfred House, NG3 1JG
🎟️ Tickets: Grab a £10 ticket on Eventbrite and get a free cocktail or non-alcoholic drink on arrival.

Every penny supports BACKLIT and the purchase of our building.

⭐️ Book your ticket now and channel your inner Sue! ⭐️

👇👇👇👇

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/slay-bells-and-sass-the-dj-sets-tickets-1098945418329?aff=oddtdtcreator