STREET ART

Talkin’ about an evolution

M Shed’s summer exhibition celebrates the Bristol street art scene, including the women documenters –all too often left out of the story –who captured its boisterous energy back in the days when it was just beginning to burgeon

From its anarchist origins in the 1980s and 1990s through to the explosion of the scene in the early ’00s, Bristol has played an instrumental role in the development of British street art, and M Shed is making sure everyone knows it, with its current sprawling exhibition.

‘Bristol Street Art: The Evolution of a Global Movement’ gives due kudos to our extraordinary creatives, highlighting seminal works, notable moments and key events belonging to the city’s dynamic history. The comprehensive show examines the response of Bristol’s pioneering underground scene against a turbulent social and political backdrop and considers the drive for social change underpinning the work of many of today’s street artists. There are snapshots of the ’80s from Beezer, rare Matthew Smith images from the time of rave and the Criminal Justice Bill (the ’90s, if you weren’t there) and Henry Chalfant’s unseen photographs of his time in Bristol for Spraycan Art.

Short films such as Wild Style by Charlie Ahearn are woven in, and Doug Gillen work features with an original score by drum and bass producer DJ Krust. An album, featuring some of the tracks that formed the roots of the famous Bristol Sound, is also being released.

Bringing together one of the largest collections of original works and memorabilia ever seen in the UK, the show goes beyond Bristol too, imparting knowledge about evolving disciplines of British and Irish artists moving from the street art conversation to bridge contemporary fields by fusing traditional techniques with new technologies.

From bronze sculpture to immersive displays, expect new originals from Andy Council, Bill Posters, China Mike, Conor Harrington, Dicy, Eko, Feek, Filthy Luker, Inkie, Lucas Price, Matt Small, Mau Mau, Mr Jago, Paris, Rowdy, Sickboy, Will Barras and Xenz, as well as rare and unseen works and bespoke edits from the filmmakers and photographers who documented the unfolding subculture. It celebrates, with archive photos, the women pioneers all too often left out of the story of street art –early female documenters Karen Dews, Carrie Hitchcock and Kineta Hill who captured the boisterous energy of the burgeoning Bristol scene. These women delved into their incredible archives, tracking over 20 years of Bristol street art, to find favourite images encapsulating its rebellious spirit – from the early days of Barton Hill Youth Club to the contemporary artists bringing Bristolian street art to the world stage.

Works by Lucy McLauchlan and Swoon can be seen, along with other fantastic female street artists who are shaking things up, and a community outreach programme is offering workshops, panels and film screenings bigging up key female figures in urban culture. The exhibition also reflects on the new generation of global creatives advocating for social and environmental awareness through art on the streets, promoting discussion and participation at the intersection of culture and sustainable action in alignment with the UN’s development goals.

Over the years, Bristol street artists have brought a whole new meaning to watching paint dry, and this show, in tribute to them all, is a wonderful way to say thank you. ■

• Bristol Street Art: The Evolution of a Global Movement, M Shed, until 31 October; vanguardstreetart.com

Main image: Punk BHBB, Carrie Hitchcock 1982; This page cloclwise from above: The Blind Exit, Conor Harrington; M32 Sunset, Karen Dews, Blue Surfer, Will Barras; Inkie, Barton Hill Youth Club, Carrie Hitchcock 1990; and Xenz Scratches, Karen Dews 1999