Sting Closing Event: Artist-led Tour & Discussion

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About the Exhibition

ZEST Collective presents Sting, their ninth exhibition and second instalment in a series of two. The first instalment took place at Auger Collective in Boscombe earlier this year.

This group show brings together 18 artists in an exploration of resilience and creative survival.

The exhibition title, Sting emerges from the emotional impact of rejection, a shared experience which many artists navigate when sustaining a creative practice, whilst also drawing parallel with the literal definition of the venomous sting of the Auger sea snail.

Highlighting the intersection between professional adversity and biological defence the show asks the question: what happens after the sting? Do we retreat, or do we respond?

If the sting is inevitable, Sting asks what it means to answer back. From systemic barriers of rejection from unanswered applications, loss of funding and the erosion of accessible creative spaces, to the physicality of being stung, this exhibition offers a collective response.

Encompassing works which confront the brief directly and others which reflect more subtly on the theme of defiance and transformation. Sting holds this question open, inviting responses that are personal, political, and provocative.

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About the Space

The Old Sail Loft is a temporary ‘a space’ arts venue at Shamrock Quay, Southampton.

The exhibition space is across two floors. On the ground floor is a fully accessible dark space with blacked out windows and a social area for visitors to sit and spend time. Perfect for projections and parties – we’ll be using this space as a temporary bar and to host music by local DJs at the launch event for Sting by ZEST Collective. Double doors open out onto a small courtyard and outdoor space and there are two toilets opposite.

At the side of the building there are two flights of stairs that lead to the top floor – an old sail loft which has been left empty for a number of years. A large space with vaulted ceilings and wooden parquet floor, this expansive room has lots of windows and plenty of natural light.

This temporary venue will be open for a pop up exhibition, Sting by ZEST Collective, across two weekends in June 2026.

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Location and Access

Please note: the event space is not wheelchair accessable.

The second floor space can only be accessed by two flights of stairs, approximately 40 in total. The entrance is located on the west side of the building here located atcares.catch.diary on what3words.com

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Parking and Travel

On Foot: The Old Sail loft is located at Shamrock Quay, which is a 10 minute walk from St Mary’s Stadium, via Belvidere Road and William Street and a 30 minute walk from Guildhall Square via Northam Road.

On Train: The closest train station to the Old Sail Loft at Shamrock Quay is Southampton Central, which is a key transport link to cities such as Portsmouth, Winchester and London. The station is also situated close to other transport links such as bus stops and a taxi rank. The station is around a 30 minute walk to the Old Sail Loft. To get to the Old Sail Loft, follow the route through the city centre via New Road and Northam Road. Then take a right through Millbank Street.

On Bus: The nearest bus stop to Old Sail Loft at Shamrock Quay is on Britannia Road. This bus stop is serviced by the following routes: 3, 14, 16, 18, N18. From there it’s a 13 minute walk via Millbank Street at William Street

By Car: There’s a car park on-site at Shamrock Quay. Parking is free for 2 hours, £5.50 for up to 4 hours, and £9.00 for up to 8 hours.

On E-Scooter: Southampton is now a Voi Scooter City. Why not hop on a Voi on your next visit and join the city wide effort to make our city cleaner, greener and safer. Find your nearest Voi station here www.voiscooters.com/locations/

More information about how to get to Shamrock Quay can be found on their website here: https://www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/marinas/mdl-shamrock-quay/directions/