Art / Street Art
An exploration of how street art in Bristol influenced the world
The Vanguard exhibition at M Shed is an astonishingly detailed look at how Bristol’s graffiti scene has influenced the rest of the world.
From flyers to photographs and a whole host of specially commissioned work, the exhibition takes us from the early 80s until the present day, with deep fake videos of Mark Zuckerberg and Donald Trump preparing the way for a disorientating three-dimensional video installation.
No exhibition about street art in Bristol would be complete without an original Banksy, and a piece first stencilled on a door in St Jude’s is on display close to a sculpture of a mooning Mona Lisa by Nick Walker.
is needed now More than ever
Broad Plain Boys’ Club leader Dennis Stinchcombe had Mobile Lovers removed with a crowbar before it was put on display in Bristol Museum & Art Gallery once it was discovered that the doorway it was removed from on Clement Street in St Jude’s belongs to Bristol City Council – photo: Martin Booth
Mobile Lovers, which appeared by the Broad Plain Youth Club in 2014 and was eventually sold for £403,000 to raise money for the organisation, has been loaned by a private collector in Liechtenstein.
It is located within an area of the exhibition which shows the evolution of several artists’ work over the years; including Inkie, Rowdy, China Mike and Xenz.
It is striking to see the evolution of street art in Bristol from youth clubs to the Arnolfini, police raids to it being commissioned by the council as part of See No Evil on Nelson Street in 2011 and 2012.
Barton Hill Youth Club played a seminal role in the evolution of Bristol’s graffiti scene – photo: Martin Booth
Imperial Music was an influential record shop on Park Street – photo: Martin Booth
And then there is art for social change, with Vanguard considering how artists across the world provoke discussion and inspire positive change through their work.
“As ephemeral installations and interventions bear witness to their moment in time, the artists encourage others to reflect, share or take action.
“Artists rooted in graffiti and street art culture bring a unique perspective, fuelled by the DIY spaces and attitudes they helped build.
“From single interventions to legacy concepts through paste-ups, stickers, spray, paint and sculpture; there is an area of activity for art on the street that has evolved beyond the individual, to call for collective action and awareness towards environmental protection and social justice.”
Cargo to Rising Arts bring the exhibition right up to the present day – photo: Martin Booth
Vanguard is at M Shed from June 26 to October 31. For tickets and more information, visit www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/vanguard-bristol-street-art
Main photo: Martin Booth
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