Brighton’s Pop Art gets a Cheeky Twist: Jared Orlin’s Exhibition at Fishing Quarter Gallery

If you’re wandering through Brighton’s Fishing Quarter and stumble upon a riot of colour, wit, and irresistible pop culture charm, congratulations - you’ve just found yourself at Jared Orlin’s latest exhibition. And lucky me, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Jared himself, diving into the kaleidoscopic world of his imagination.

If you’re wandering through Brighton’s Fishing Quarter and stumble upon a riot of colour, wit, and irresistible pop culture charm, congratulations - you’ve just found yourself at Jared Orlin’s latest exhibition. And lucky me, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Jared himself, diving into the kaleidoscopic world of his imagination.

Jared, South African by birth and Brightonian by heart, is no stranger to artistic reinvention. After more than 15 years crafting with ceramics, he pivoted his passion into something equally tactile but twice as pop - the world of vibrant, cheeky pop art prints. Thus, iHeart Pop Art was born, and let me tell you, it’s not just a name; it’s a statement.

Stepping into his exhibition feels like being hugged by a rainbow with a sense of humour. Think Andy Warhol meets MC Escher at a Brighton street party. Jared has this magical knack for taking the ordinary - a famous face, a well-known landmark - and flipping it into something playfully surreal. Symmetry, repetition, and bold colour are his love language, and he speaks it fluently.

As we wandered through the gallery, surrounded by his mesmerising prints, I asked him what sparks his creativity. His answer was simple, but potent: “I’m drawn to the unexpected twist. It’s not just about making something look pretty - it’s about making you look again, and smile.”

And that’s exactly what his art does. You’ll find pieces that double-take you; what seems familiar at first glance quickly reveals layers of wit and clever design. His prints are the kind of artworks that make you smirk, nudge your friend, and say, “Oh, I need this in my lounge.”

But behind the colours and catchy wordplay lies a sincere love for visual storytelling. Jared’s pieces aren’t just about aesthetics; they’re about joy, nostalgia, and reimagining the everyday in ways that feel fresh and cheeky. From pop culture icons given a Brighton twist to geometric patterns that could hypnotise even the most caffeine-fueled passer-by, every print radiates his unique perspective.

“I want people to walk away from my work feeling lighter,” Jared told me. “There’s so much heaviness in the world. Art can be a little pocket of fun, a little rebellion against all that.”

Brighton, of course, seems like the perfect backdrop for his work - colourful, unapologetically bold, and always up for a bit of cheek. It’s no wonder Jared has found his creative home here.

If you’re in Brighton between 22 - 27 July, do yourself a favour: take a stroll down to the Fishing Quarter Gallery and step into Jared Orlin’s vivid universe. Trust me, your walls (and your mood) will thank you.

Follow Jared’s pop art journey on Instagram at @iheartpopart_ and explore his collection at iheartpopart.net . You won’t leave empty-handed - or uninspired.