Karl Bailey is a British photographer living in Portsmouth, England. His work primarily focuses on documenting the fabric of the city, its ebbs and flows as it shifts politically and economically. He is interested in examining the invisible, using class, social history and culture to raise questions within his photographs. Whilst this work is outward-looking, Bailey also makes work that seeks to look inwards, usually reflecting on his background, his rural upbringing, and his family.
Exhibitions, Awards, Publications, Features
2019:
Hidden Southsea, Playdead
2020:
British Analog Collective - Sports
Covid 19 Arts Ads Billboard, Portsmouth
‘Portsmouth, My Portsmouth’ - We Create Market, Sept-Dec
Quaranzine, Pample Mouse Publishing
2021:
Findrangers - Issue 19
What Are You Grateful For?
4 Stops Zine - Travel
Grapefruit Volume 1, Pample Mouse Publishing
‘Community’ Projection for Portsmouth, We Shine Festival
Here & There, Joyfantastic, Portsmouth
A Collaborative Arts Plan for Southsea & Portsmouth
2022:
What Brings You Love?
Arts Council Grant Develop Your Creative Practice
Mash Up, w/ Pompey Banana Club & Ashley John
Aspex Artist Residency
Then There Was Us, Annual Publication
British Journal of Photography, Portrait of Britain, Shortlisted
2023:
New Shoots, Artspace Portsmouth
Fractals Degree Show, University of Portsmouth
Work In Progress, The Imagination Refinery
Offsite Members Group Show, Open Studios - Artspace, Portsmouth
Fractals Degree Show, Free Range London
Photo Monitor 2023 Commendation for ‘A Stones Throw’
Picturing Highstreets England, Digital Billboards Across the Country
‘Another World’ WIP Wall, Pitt Street Skatepark
‘A Stones Throw’ Shortlisted for ArtsThread Global Design Graduate Show 2023
Platform Graduate Award, Aspex Portsmouth
2024:
Another World, Pitt St Skatepark
Open Studios Exhibition, Artspace, Portsmouth
Our Portsmouth, Photo Fringe
2025:
Photofrom Festival
Community Stories, Playland, Portsmouth, Supported by Arts Council England
Open Studios, Artspace, Portsmouth