In celebration of our 40th exhibition SERCHIA is honoured to present 'Konkursas' a solo exhibition by photographer Francesca Allen. Depicting participants of Lithuania’s Konkursas Pasaulio Ilgaplaukės an annual competition for the world’s longest hair. Join us at SERCHIA on Saturday 02 May from 14.00 to 17.00 for the opening reception in the company of the artist. 

As ever, the event is complimentary with an option to donate to the gallery. Space is incredibly limited, book early to avoid dissappointment. RSVP via the gallery website. We look forward to celebrating with you.

Konkursas will be on view and open by appointment through 04 July 2026.

https://serchia.square.site/konkursas
@serchiagallery
@francesca_allen_

Exhibition Statement

Francesca Allen’s Konkursas depicts participants in Lithuania’s Konkursas Pasaulio Ilgaplaukės annual competition for the world’s longest hair. Here hundreds of girls and women with thousands of feet of hair walk the runway and have their lovingly groomed hair measured by gloved judges, before shaking it in a ceremonial finale. Allen’s fascination with ritual and coming-of-age sparked her interest in the contest, one which blends pageantry with folklore and allows the artist to deepen her thoughts on hair within femininity: “Hair influences how we are perceived by others, how professional we appear, our identity, our religion and culture. It plays a huge role in the enactment of self and also our discrimination against others.” The resulting photographs—haunting, funny, slightly surreal—explore the dichotomy between modernity and tradition, obsession and aspiration, and ideas of girl and womanhood. 
 

About Francesca

Francesca Allen is a London-based photographer and director whose work explores the nature of intimate relationships, female friendships and personal connections, often documenting those closest to her with sensitivity and emotional depth. Her projects sit at the intersection of editorial, portraiture and personal narrative, capturing girlhood, youth and identity through a distinctly candid and truthful lens. Allen’s images have been commissioned by leading publications and clients including British Vogue, i-D, Dazed, British Journal of Photography, Chloé, Stella Mccartney and Levi’s, among others. Her photographic books include Aya (2018), I’d Like to Get to Know You (2022), Plaukai (2025) and Konkursas (2025), continuing her intimate visual storytelling. Allen’s work has been exhibited internationally across major galleries and festivals. 

About Serchia Gallery

SERCHIA is a residential and not-for-profit woman run gallery residing in a Victorian home on a hillside in Cotham, Bristol. Founded in the summer of 2021, we celebrate contemporary artists, who make visible what would otherwise never be seen. The gallery hosts an artist residency programme, welcoming artists to stay with us and to create artwork unique to the space. We interact with the community through a constellation of public and private events, artist talks, workshops, publications, and openings. We endeavour to support and raise awareness for artist-nominated charities, and cultivate opportunities for artists of all backgrounds. Curated by Christine Marie Serchia, the gallery is named after her father Frank Serchia.

Entry requirements: no age restrictions (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult over 21yrs, 1:1 ratio) — Read more — Read less