Inkie mural to be restored nine years after its partial removal

Ten years ago, the area around Nelson Street was transformed thanks to the See No Evil street art festival.

Graffiti artists from across the world added a splash of colour to the grey thoroughfare as part of the event – with some of the largest pieces still visible today.

A decade later, it is remarkable to think what Nelson Street was like before See No Evil, with its much criticised (in some quarters) aim of “placemaking” now a resounding success.

At the time, Nelson Street was considered to be one of the ugliest streets in the UK, with the idea of See No Evil to paint the buildings along the road vertically instead of horizontally.

See No Evil was Europe’s biggest street art festival and is still spoken about in reverential tones by those who experienced it, both in its original 2011 incarnation and its return in 2012.

One of the most significant murals from 2011, bearing the name of See No Evil, was painted by Bristol’s very own Inkie next to St John on the Wall Church and St John’s Conduit.

It had a lucky escape the following year after a cherry picker and jet washer combined to remove much of it from the wall.

Fortunately, removal work was stopped in 2012 before much more of Inkie’s mural was removed – photo: Martin Booth

In an unusual reversal of fortunes, however, for an artform that by its very definition is temporary, Inkie’s mural is being restored as part of the latest transformation of Nelson Street.

“It shows that See No Evil is being treated with respect as a historical landmark event in Bristol,” Inkie told Bristol24/7.

“And fantastic to see developers are now including street art as part of the public art aspect of major projects.”

A CGI from a spot impossible to replicate in real life of the Everards Printworks development, with the restored Inkie mural – image: McAleer & Rushe

Inkie will not only be restoring the mural but will also be assisting with other public art around the development, known as Everards Printworks after the famous Everard’s (with an apostrophe) Art Nouveau façade on Broad Street.

A painting by Inkie of one of the figures from the façade is now on a hoarding on Nelson Street.

The mixed-use development on what was once NatWest Court offices will contain 24 one- and two-bedroom flats, 4,000sq ft of office space, and a 255-bedroom four-star hotel.

The entrance to the hotel from the Dalata Hotel Group will be through the Everard’s building.

There will also be co-working, retail units and enhanced “public realm” space also part of the wider scheme bordered by Broad Street, Nelson Street, John Street and Tower Lane

The entrance to the new four-star hotel on Broad Street will be through the historic Everard’s building – CGI: McAleer & Rushe

Artisan Real Estate‘s Myles Thomas said: “The Old City has some of the most notable historic assets in Bristol, yet they sit alongside vacant and dilapidated properties, many of which have been out of use for some time.

“The need to bring new life to this part of the city has long been recognised and moves such as the pedestrianisation of Corn Street, Clare Street and now St Stephen’s Street and St Nicholas Street, have begun to change the way in which people live and work here.

“Everards Printworks marks the next step in the journey for this historic quarter. As a developer, we are well versed in this type of scheme which balances bringing historic properties back into use with the creation of new commercial and residential space.”

The award-winning Bank Tavern will be getting new neighbours – CGI: McAleer & Rushe

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: My Bristol Favourites: Inkie