Some of Brighton’s most arresting portraiture goes on show this autumn. Personae Brighton is a new collaborative exhibition from Sussex-based duo Dan and Serg, pairing figurative painting with black-and-white photography at Atelier by the Sea. It opens with a private view on Thursday 10 September and runs from 11–24 September 2026.
The idea behind Personae
The exhibition takes its name from the Latin plural of persona — the theatrical mask through which an actor’s voice was said to “sound through” — a word that came to stand for the identities we present to the world. Fittingly, Personae Brighton gathers a cast of individuals who each reveal something of themselves while inviting us to look beyond the surface, exploring transformation, identity and the theatre of everyday life.
It’s the product of two distinct practices meeting in the middle. Serg, the photographer, captures honest, easily-missed moments of connection; Dan, the artist, transforms those observations into atmospheric paintings that blur the line between reality and imagination. Different tools, same destination: a deep fascination with people.
A cast from every walk of life
True to that spirit, the subjects range widely — from tattooed bikers and strongmen to drag queens and members of Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community, alongside people the artists have crossed paths with over the years. Some portraits are deeply personal, others quietly observational, but each elevates an ordinary encounter into something extraordinary, revealing a story, an identity and a presence.
One of the show’s centrepieces is a new painted portrait of Rob Makin, known from Channel 4’s Handcuffed, shown alongside a selection of Serg’s photographs from the sitting — a rare glimpse of how a photographic session can become the starting point for a painting. The accompanying photographic series includes fine-art nude portraiture exploring vulnerability, trust and body confidence. Visitors will also find Serg’s street photography, including images from Brighton Pride, plus limited-edition prints across a range of price points for first-time buyers and seasoned collectors alike.
Personae Brighton: private view and exhibition details
- Private view: Thursday 10 September, 6–9pm
- Exhibition: 11–24 September 2026
- Venue: Atelier by the Sea, Brighton
- More information: danandserg.com and @danandserg
Rob Makin and fellow Handcuffed cast member Charlie Gray will join Dan and Serg at the private view. Whether you’re a collector or simply curious about the many faces we show the world, Personae Brighton is well worth a look this September.
