The Nutshell
April 18th to 24th 2026
10am-4pm
(excl. Monday 20th 12-4pm)

Alternatives

Exhibition by Michelle Quinton

This project started as a way to explore how the idea of being “alternative” has changed over time — not just the word itself, but the people who’ve used it to describe who they are. Once, it simply meant being outside the mainstream: alternative music, fashion, lifestyles, and ways of thinking. In the ’90s and early 2000s, it became more of a label in itself for many of us, an umbrella term for groups like goths, punks, rockers and metallers, each group being seen as more of a subculture within the alternative scene. While the word has shifted and faded in and out of fashion, it still feels relevant today as a broad way to describe people who live outside society’s idea of “normal.”

As I spoke to people about how they see themselves, it became clear that many fit this wider definition of alternative — often without standing out at all. The project naturally evolved into a celebration of difference, showing how varied these lives are and why that diversity is something positive and beautiful.

There’s also an underlying look at how society reacts to difference. People often fear or distrust what they don’t understand, and I’ve seen that first-hand in reactions to those who express themselves differently. This work aims to offer a view into the lives of others, to show that everyone has their differences, and those differences are beautiful. This exhibition focuses primarily on the origin of the project, and the creatives I’ve met as I’ve developed it, but will be growing to look more into the careers people choose and the homes they live in.

Some of the project is available to view here, along with blog posts documenting the process. Alternatives / Ongoing Projects | Michelle Quinton Photography