About

Here, Somehow is the first solo show by Jenny Bratt, the winner of the Joan Day Bursary Award.

Here, Somehow is a celebration of the people, places, and quiet moments that shape everyday life in Armley, Leeds. Inspired by the neighbourhood and the people who call it home, Jenny Bratt’s paintings capture domestic scenes with warmth, curiosity, and affection. They are paintings of and for the community they emerge from.

In a place where you can’t go down the road without seeing someone you know, connections are woven into daily life. Bratt’s work reflects these networks of neighbours, conversations, whispered rumours, and chance encounters, revealing how communities are built through ordinary moments and enduring relationships. Her practice creates space for stories to be exchanged, recognised, and reflected in the quiet experiences that often go unnoticed.

The red-brick streets of Armley become more than a backdrop. They are places where lives unfold, where families make homes, and where the overlooked details of everyday experience become worthy of attention. These are the streets where people live when the polished suburbs are out of reach, yet they are rich with character and resilience.

Bratt’s paintings invite us into secret scenes of daily life: fleeting encounters, familiar corners, and small narratives that might otherwise pass unnoticed. They evoke a sense of recognition without ever fully explaining themselves, leaving space for viewers to bring their own memories and experiences. They remind us that belonging is with the people we know, the places we return to, and the everyday moments that somehow become home.

On Saturday 26 September, join us at South Square to meet the artist herself, and South Square’s Programme and Gallery Manager, Domino Canton-Oakley. Together, they’ll share the story behind the exhibition, from how it came together to the ideas and inspirations behind Jenny’s work.