New art celebrates hidden treasures in Old City Stories from Bristol's past explored by local artists
This includes both well-known tales such as that of ‘Bristol Time’ on the Corn Exchange, but also lesser-known stories of Bristol’s first Two new sets of art installations have been gay bar and ‘The Bristol Post Boy’, one of the unveiled in Old City to celebrate the work that earliest known newspapers in Bristol. The has been done to improve the city centre for flags also detail Bristol’s historic links to the pedestrians. transatlantic traffic in enslaved Africans and its legacy in the Old City area. The details The two installations have been created by behind each flag are available via a QR code local artists to bring life to the area and inform at the base of each post. citizens and visitors about the heritage of the Old City. Mayor Marvin Rees, said: “During these challenging times, it’s wonderful ‘Look Up, Look Down’ highlights hidden to be able to celebrate some of the positive architectural treasures along a trail things which have happened this year, such encouraging people to find missing pieces as major improvements to the Old City. The of the pattern. The trail developed by Graft pedestrianisation work we’ve carried out over (artists Sophie and Rob Wheeler) is made up the past year, giving priority to walking and of thermoplastic images on the streets of the cycling routes, has improved the area for Old City, which mirror fascinating features on businesses, visitors, and shoppers. The Hidthe historic buildings. den Treasures trail and Old City Flags are the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors The trail starts on Clare Street with a colourful to explore the area on foot, learn more about grid that gives a series of clues. From there, our history and give our independent traders a visitors are invited to discover the Old City’s much-needed boost”. streets and alleyways, finding hidden gems in the beautiful buildings. QR codes are placed Artist Dee Moxon, from The Lamplighters, alongside each image to reveal its hidden said: story. “The flags represent a tiny fraction of the stories which ooze from the walls of the Old City. Some stories are well known and held in The second installation, Old City Flags, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, and others like created by The Lamplighters, uses original artworks and documents from Bristol Museum the history of The Radnor Hotel are still held in the living memory of contemporary Bristo& Art Gallery and Bristol Archives alongside lians”. original digital photography and cyanotype printing by Amy Peck and digital drawings by Graft’s Co-Founder, Sophie Higgins WheelDee Moxon and Stephanie Reeves. er, said: “There are so many hidden gems in Old City, The flags draw together many strands of from vast murals to miniscule chewing gum interest in the Old City, fusing together art. As passionate learners of local history, we photographs of historic architecture with always weave in historical facts and legends remembered stories and accounts from – from the extra clock hand showing ‘Bristol Bristol’s past. time’ to the ‘ghost signs’ and parish boundary markers easily missed unless you look up. We’re delighted to be involved in this project which will encourage Bristolians to find out more about our great city’s history and enjoy 14 it on foot”.
