Art / Street Art
Bristol’s coat of arms given street art makeover
Graffiti meets heraldry in BS6 thanks to the latest collaboration between two of Bristol’s most respect street artists.
Bristol’s coat of arms has been given a street art makeover by Acerone and Andy Council, who worked together to create the piece in a location they want to keep under wraps.
Virtual er Industrial is a version of the coat of arms officially granted in 1569, with the two unicorns on either side made out of castles and Bristol’s medieval city wall.
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‘Virtual er Industrial’ is a take on Bristol’s Latin city motto, Virtute et industria, meaning ‘by virtue and industry’
“Heraldry is something that has interested me for many years,” Acerone, aka Luke Palmer, told Bristol24/7.
“I guess I’m a bit geeky about semiotics, the meanings behind symbols and shapes, and how objects and animals can be used to represent certain traits and qualities.
“When the opportunity came up to paint this wall, the shape of it immediately got me thinking about a coat of arms as it would fit it so perfectly.
“I’ve wanted to do a new version of the Bristol coat of arms for some time, so it felt natural to follow that route.”
Acerone and Andy Council do not want to reveal the precise location of their new piece
Acerone added: “The earliest recorded version dates back to 1300 and it has undergone various changes and adaptations over the past 700 years, so why not give it a street are twist for 2021?!
“Andy Council is someone I have collaborated with for well over 10 years now and with his ability to take architecture and local landmarks and turn them into mystical creatures, he was the perfect person to bring in to paint the two Bristol unicorns made from castles and the city walls of medieval Bristol.”
Where are some examples of Bristol’s coat of arms?
The city’s coat of arms are based on the early seals of Bristol, with the ship and castle theme signifying a strongly fortified harbour, according to Heraldry of the World, and the unicorns’ significance in that they will only do homage to people of virtue.
A freshly repainted coat of arms can be found on Bath Bridge
The coat of arms is on both sides of the bridge
The coat of arms above the main entrance to City Hall
And here’s the coat of arms inside City Hall – photo: Carla Denyer
The former Bristol Stock Exchange on St Nicholas Street
There are two coats of arms on different sides of the Mansion House
Remnants of gold on the unicorns indicate that the coat of arms above the Mansion House front door was once much more colourful than today
The forerunners to blue plaques featured the coat of arms – photo: Martin Booth
Bristol Rugby’s crest was the city coat of arms until they rebranded to Bristol Bears in 2018 – photo: JMP
Another coat of arms on a bridge, this one on Bedminster Bridge
All photos by Martin Booth
Read more:
- Renowned Bristol artist creates new mural in medieval entrance to Old City
- A mythical Bedminster created by street artist Acerone
- Artist documents dozens of collaborations during lockdown
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