First Contemporary

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First Contemporary Online gallery based in Bristol showcasing British and international contemporary artists First Contemporary is an online art gallery based in Bristol.

We showcase Bristol-based and international artists with a strong sense of individuality. We represent well known names as well as up-and-coming stars of the future. We exhibit at art fairs in the UK, Europe and internationally each year. The work of our artists is of the highest quality, at an affordable price and complements contemporary living. Owner Andrew Hood is incredibly knowledgeable about art and travels regularly, always on the look-out for new artists to represent. Visit us at our next Art Fair or contact us with your enquiry and we will be happy to assist you. We offer a framing service and customers are welcome to visit Andrew by appointment to view the work of the artists prior to purchase.

13/10/2026

Sketching the edges of Clifton Downs. After a long, hot summer, the grass is parched and the landscape has taken on a very different character. For Andrew Hood, it's the buildings around the Downs that catch his eye – from Victorian and Georgian architecture to the clean lines of 1960s buildings. 🏡

As we step into autumn, here are a few finished paintings by Andrew Hood from the summer season – from the houses of St ...
08/10/2026

As we step into autumn, here are a few finished paintings by Andrew Hood from the summer season – from the houses of St Ives to the village of Dordogne. ☀️

06/10/2026

Following a busy Open Studios weekend, it’s time to get back to work! Perched on a wall at the top of Whiteladies Road, Andrew Hood looks down towards the city centre for a spot of urban sketching. With the road falling steeply away, getting the perspective right is a real challenge—the buildings and rooftops seem to shift and skew as they disappear into the distance. It takes careful observation to work out what goes where, but the result is another lively glimpse of the city of Bristol. 🖌️

01/10/2026

Looking back at a brilliant weekend… Our busiest Open Studios yet, with studios full of new work, works in progress, conversations and plenty of visitors. And what better way to round things off than with Steve Davis at the helm of our legendary fundraising auction?

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, supported the artists and placed a bid. We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make it such a memorable weekend. Until next year! In the meantime, stay tuned — we’ve got plenty more in the pipeline before the year is out.

A huge thank you to everyone who came to our Open Studios event over the weekend. It was brilliant to see so many new an...
29/09/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who came to our Open Studios event over the weekend. It was brilliant to see so many new and familiar faces – and to see off our paintings to their new homes! In the mix, Andrew Hood Artist’s dynamic ode to Gloucester Road – a fitting tribute with all funds raised going towards the upkeep and improvement of our beautiful Grade II listed Jamaica Street Studios. 🖼️

It’s tomorrow! Join us for the opening night of our annual open studios event at Jamaica Street Studios. Meet the artist...
24/09/2026

It’s tomorrow! Join us for the opening night of our annual open studios event at Jamaica Street Studios. Meet the artists in their studios with beats and beers or join us for coffee and cake over the weekend and discover what our artists have been working on. Don’t forget to bid in our auction for a chance to win your favourite artwork (including Elaine Jones’ Reflection, pictured)! 🖼️

22/09/2026

It’s back! Our annual Open Studios event returns this weekend. Join us at our Jamaica Street abode this 25 – 27 September for a sneak peak behind studio doors and meet the faces behind First Contemporary’s finest works (then bid on your favourite at our legendary fundraising auction!). 🖼️

17/09/2026

Another day, another session in the studio – this time adding the finishing touches to a painting of Bristol’s city centre (check out last week’s video to catch the beginning of the painting process!). 🖌️

Lately, Bristol-based artist Andrew Hood Artist has been finding his inspiration a little closer to home. Stay tuned as a new body of work exploring Bristol and beyond takes shape ahead of the artist’s upcoming exhibition at Clifton Contemporary Art.

There is beauty in the tangled and untamed. Here, Elaine Jones captures the intricate relationships between branches, le...
15/09/2026

There is beauty in the tangled and untamed. Here, Elaine Jones captures the intricate relationships between branches, leaves and light, finding rhythm and movement within the apparent disorder. A reminder that nature rarely follows a straight line.

🪾

Elaine Jones | Tangle | 113 x 103cm

Address

39 Jamaica Street Stokes Croft
Bristol
BS28JP

Telephone

07791699138

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