John Hansard Gallery

01/09/2026

Anyone else craving cosy vibes? 🍂⁠
⁠
This is one to save - whether you've had a spenny summer or just don't want to miss all the contemporary art coming your way!⁠
⁠
As always, entry to every exhibition at JHG is free. All you have to do is turn up and get curious x

19/08/2026

NEW WINDOW ALERT! 🚨

We are delighted to welcome artist Net Ember’s new work SOFT/STRONG to our building!

For the first time, over 75 trans+ people from across the UK have come together to share meaningful images of their lives, culminating in a public artwork that celebrates transmasculinity. SOFT/STRONG highlights personal, q***r and redefined notions of masculinity, shaped through the trans+ experience. Photographs, pets, screenshots, meaningful objects and tattoos merge into an abstract ode to the shifting and uncategorisable nature of transness.

Informed by over 250 submitted images, SOFT/STRONG makes both the shared and unique experiences of masculinity within transness visible, inviting reflection on what and who remains unseen in public and political discourse. 🏳️‍⚧️

Presented by Southampton Pride, in partnership with John Hansard Gallery, Trans Pride Southampton, GO! Southampton, City Eye, Breakout Youth and Beyond Reflections.

>>> https://jhg.art/events/net-ember-soft-strong/

* * *
// // //

19/08/2026

Free on Saturday 5 September, 2-4.30pm? 👇⁠
⁠
The artist and wordsmith behind 'Fake Love & Institutional Longing (BTS)' will lead a one-off poetry workshop as a final celebration of the exhibition!⁠
⁠
Begin your weekend with a short tour by independent curator Amrita Dhallu alongside our Poet-in-Residence & Artist Mandy Merzaban, before we sit down to enjoy the In-Conversation event and workshop.⁠
⁠
Workshop prep:⁠
- Please bring a text that you might categorise as ‘fake love’. This could be anything from the lyrics of a pop song, an email or a ghosted text message, to a financial letter, job rejection letter, policy document, employment contract, or even a news article. We’ll use this as raw material for poetry writing, along with text and images from exhibition research.⁠
⁠
- You're encouraged to spend some time in the exhibition before the workshop to explore some of the audio/visual material.
⁠
Please note this free workshop is taking place on the final day of the exhibition. Book now to avoid disappointment:
https://bit.ly/merzaban 🔗

[Pre-Chorus Jimin, Jin] 이뤄지지 않는 꿈속에서 In a dream that wouldn’t come true 피울 수 없는 꽃을 키웠어 I grew a flower that couldn’t bloom Based on K-pop boyband BTS’ hit track FAKE LOVE, this workshop invites you to explore experiences of ‘fake love’ in its differe...

15/08/2026

Lynne, our Head of Engagement & Learning, popped to the launch of Crafted Earth Studios at last week!

"I enjoyed chatting to makers! It was a sunny day in the New Forest, and lovely to see many artists who had worked with us on Aaron Williamson's 'Outlandish' exhibition here [JHG] in 2025"

We love an opportunity to celebrate craft in the making, and a chance to revisit friends in their beautiful new studios and gardens.

10/08/2026

Can fancy words create access barriers to art? 🤔

This one has been making many rounds in our world lately, and we're not just talking about Ms Lauryn Hill!

We know there are probably many JHG visitors who may not have “studied” art or related subjects, so we’re on a mission to demystify some of these terms, just in case, because our spaces are for everyone.

Have you come across any others in our texts, or out in the wild? Let us know!

08/08/2026

Calling all parents, guardians and carers 🚸⁠
⁠
Have you got crafty kids at home, but don’t fancy using your [insert prized possession here] as collateral damage?
⁠
Is your little one’s mind endlessly curious about the world? ⁠
⁠
Would you jump at the chance to keep the family entertained without the hefty price tag? ⁠
⁠
Is your Summer in need of an injection of community and creativity?⁠ Space to Create! is for you 😁⁠
⁠
Find out what’s coming up via our website, or join our mailing list!⁠
⁠https://bit.ly/StC
⁠
⁠
*Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times

06/08/2026

Has Valentine's Day come early? We're feeling all fuzzy 🥰

We've said it many times before, but we'll say it again: we really do read our comments book and everyone's thoughts are much appreciated!

If you're ever visiting alone or with others and you fancy a chat about the artwork on show, please do feel free to say hello to your nearest Gallery Assistant. You'll find one in each space - plenty to go around 😁

Sending the love right back at'cha!

04/08/2026

SOUND ON 🔊

Featured in Mandy Merzaban’s ‘Fake Love & Institutional Longing (BTS)’, this deconstruction of an AI generated kpop song is “as if the idol voice was a chant, mixed with samples of live vocals and fan screams” ().

The two tracks (깊은 가면) DEEP FAKE LOVE / 피, 땀, 이론 (BLOOD SWEAT THEORY) written by the artist () are on poetry, as well as themes of orientalism, neoliberal arts institutions, and the pain of being a cog in the machine. Both are re-interpreted by musician Tzekin/Justin, and heavily re-process the vocal stems to offer an ethereal/ambient immersion.

Find a link to the Soundcloud playlist in our bio 🔗

03/08/2026

Ever spotted these on our front desk? 👀

One-off donations are just one of the ways that help keep our exhibitions and public programme free, making the best of contemporary art accessible to everyone! Hurrah!

Your gift to JHG could be even more, at no additional cost to you, too! By choosing to ‘Gift Aid’ your donation, HMRC add 25p for every £1 you donate…

Fill one of these out, or pop onto our website to find out more ways to support a non-profit arts organisation like us!

30/07/2026

Your cheat code for August in Southampton has arrived 💌

July flew by, and school is officially out for Summer! We wouldn't want you to miss what's going on in your local contemporary gallery and the wider community this month, so take a peek!

We've done the hunting and gathering for you, the only job left is to have fun and stay curious ✨