Art / art
Groundbreaking graffiti panels at Icon Films
Icon Films celebrated its 25th anniversary with a new series of groundbreaking graffiti panels of the city by local art student Sam Bristow.
The four panels measure over 20 feet each, represent views of Bristol featuring many of the city’s best-known sights including the Suspension Bridge, ss Great Britain, the Wills Memorial Building, Cabot Circus and the new harbourside complex.
Bristow, who is 19 and currently studying for a foundation diploma took much of his inspiration from Icon’s wildlife documentaries and factual programmes.
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The result is an extraordinary, surreal work of art where the streets of Bristol are peopled by leopards, bears, a giant snake, a huge blue elephant and a slow loris. Meanwhile a herd of yetis roam Cabot Circus with shopping bags in their hands and an enormous dung beetle throws boluses of dung from the top of Colston Tower. Bristol Mayor George Ferguson is seen disappearing into the mouth of a monitor lizard—only his trademark red trousers are visible.
Icon Films’ most famous and successful series River Monsters is also featured in the panels, with piranhas jumping out of the Floating Harbour and star presenter Jeremy Wade holding a goliath tiger fish. Icon Films founders Harry and Laura Marshall also appear in the murals, as does the company’s loveable mascot, Parson Russell Terrier Alphie Marshall.
Icon Films’ creative director Harry Marshall says: “For 25 years Icon Films has benefitted from and, in return, fostered local talent. It’s all about Bristol and creativity and that is exactly what Sam Bristow’s literally fantastic graffiti celebrates.”
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