On Friday, the Queendom Rising photography exhibition opened in Bristol’s city centre. It showcases the work of George Netana, a local resident of the city who has recently graduated from Falmouth University with an MA in photography. Her portrait series explores identity, belonging and the cultural memory of diaspora communities in Bristol.   

Queendom Rising is located in Sparks Bristol, which labels itself as ‘the department store with a difference’ on its website. The store is an inclusive and vibrant space dedicated to fashion, food, nature, and creativity; the perfect spot to host an exhibition that honours multiculturalism.

The images sit against a black backdrop in the heart of the store. They are grouped by colour, creating a powerful display that flows from red to yellow.

‘A series of portraits at the Queendom Rising exhibition’ | Epigram / Kashvi Cox 

The portraits specifically highlight the female experience, inspired by Netana’s experience as a mother of Mäori daughters growing up in diaspora. These women are from a diverse range of cultures and countries: Argentina, Pakistan, Japan, Greece, and many more. The exhibit celebrates their contributions to the city of Bristol, their everyday acts of creativity and leadership.

Each portrait is supported by a documentary fragment, detailing the life and work of these women. They illuminate the image, making clear the choice of objects or background.

‘The exhibition is located in the Department of Creativity in Sparks Bristol’ | Epigram / Kashvi Cox 

One that stood out to me was Malena’s portrait. She wears a loose floral garment with vibrant orange flowers that bloom out of the paper. Her expression is hard to read; she looks directly at the camera with a soft and steady gaze. She has learnt to think of her body as her home, ‘a vessel of memory, experience, and resilience’. This allows her to move through life with self-acceptance, no matter where she is.

The Queendom Rising exhibition feels essential more now than ever. In our increasingly divided society, we need arts and culture to bring us together, to remind us of the other point of view. In the portraits you can feel these women urging you to understand, owning their heritage, and inviting you to celebrate what they bring to our city.  

The exhibition is open until 7th October 2025.

Featured Image: Epigram / Kashvi Cox

Will you visit the exhibition at Sparks?