Opal22 is bringing together two emerging artists, Abigaièl Rose & Sunny Gill, whose work explores identity, memory and lived experience through painting and photography. Presented by Opal22 in partnership with De Montfort University (DMU), the exhibition continues our commitment to celebrating and supporting local artists by providing opportunities to showcase their work to new audiences.
Following their inclusion in Opal22’s All Shades of Brown exhibition earlier this year, Abigaièl Rose and Sunny Gill present a collection of work that reflects their individual artistic practices while exploring shared themes of identity, culture, memory and belonging.
Working in different mediums, both artists offer personal perspectives that encourage reflection and conversation, highlighting the power of art to tell meaningful stories.
THE ARTISTS
Abigaièl Rose: Abigaièl Rose is a Midlands- based visual artist working primarily in oil on canvas. Her practice centers on portraitures as a means of exploring identity, cultural memory, and the spectrum of brownness. Drawing from her cultural background and lived experience, she creates intimate works that examine visibility, belonging, and self-perception. Working from her photography as well as past photographs and memory, Abi layers realism with reflection, using light and shadows as metaphors for presence and complexity. Central to her practice is the celebration of beauty particularly within Black subjects positioning softness, dignity, and nuance as powerful forms of visibility.
Sunny Gill: Sunny Gill is a UK based Fine Art Photographer whose work captures everyday life, emotions, and lived experiences. Blending documentary and creative storytelling, her practice is rooted in personal experience and visual curiosity, exploring time and memory while creating images that feel both intimate and open ended. Her photography reflects on themes of time, place, and identity, and how the past intersects with the present. For Gill, photography is not just about what is seen, but about what is felt and remembered. Rather than constructing fixed narratives, her images leave space for interpretation, inviting viewers to connect their own memories and emotions to what they see.
WHY THIS EXHIBITION MATTERS
This exhibition reflects Opal22’s ongoing commitment to supporting emerging artists and creating opportunities for local talent to be seen. Through our partnership with De Montfort University, we continue to champion diverse artistic voices and make contemporary art more accessible to wider audiences.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Dates: 31 July – 29 August
Venue: Atrium Gallery, Leicester Gallery, De Montfort University
Admission: Free
Accessibility: Fully accessible venue with step-free access.
Booking: No booking required.