The Images of Brighton gallery and the Exploring Brighton gallery are the local history galleries in Brighton Museum and Art Gallery. The galleries should be viewed in association with each other as they represent two very different sides of the City.

Images of Brighton looks at those aspects of the city that people traditionally associate with Brighton. Many see Brighton as a tourist resort, others think of it as a city of freedom of expression and ideas.

From Brighton's importance as a fishing town in medieval times, through its re-invention as a health resort in the 1700s and centre for holidaying in the late 1800s, to its reputation today as a tolerant and fashionable city by the sea, the gallery examines how Brighton has gained its forward thinking reputation.

By juxtaposing the past with the present and by the choice of subject areas that are on display in the gallery, we seek to confirm people's perceptions of Brighton. By contrast, Exploring Brighton, looks away from the seafront and reveals that Brighton is a much more complex city than many visitors and residents may recognise.

Click here to see objects on display in Images of Brighton gallery