Magnificent mural of Jen Reid painted on Stokes Croft

Jen Reid only stood for a few seconds on the empty Colston plinth on the day the statue was toppled. But a new mural on Stokes Croft has permanently captured that brief moment in time.

Reid’s husband Alasdair Doggart took two photographs of her on top of the plinth with her fist in the air in a Black Power salute.

One of these photos had her shouting something to the crowd behind her but the other caught the imagination of people around the world when he posted it on Instagram.

A statue of Reid made by artist Marc Quinn was removed by Bristol City Council just 24 hours after being placed on the plinth.

The new mural overlooking the terrace of The Canteen on Stokes Croft will last much longer, with artist Mr Cenz due to complete the towering piece by Friday, with Inkie adding words written by poet Lawrence Hoo.

Alasdair Doggart looking up at the mural of his wife, Jen Reid – photo: Martin Booth

The piece has been given the name of United Souls, United Goals, with a hashtag bearing the artwork’s title due to point people towards free educational resources combatting racism including CARGO Classroom‘s lesson plans, teaching history from the perspective of individuals of African descent.

As Wednesday’s painting came to an end, Doggart – who helped pull Colston’s statue to its watery demise before returning to the plinth with Reid – contemplated its importance for Bristol.

Doggart said: “It would have been nice (for the sculpture of Reid) to have a couple more days or week of grace. It was a strong reaction to take down the only statue of a living black woman in the country…

“And that’s from a black mayor. So it raises all kinds of questions and complexities that might not have needed to have been so strong if he (Marvin Rees) had had a slightly more accommodating stance on its presence.

“It was never meant to be a permanent fixture. It was only ever meant to be a temporary installation just to spark the conversation.”

On the criticism that a London artist had imposed his artwork on the people of Bristol, Doggart said: “I would always say that’s pretty ignorant of the fact that Bristol’s most famous son in the art world made a living out of placing rogue artworks across the world…

“If all you can see in something that’s so positive is a negative thing, then you’re missing the point.”

Mr Cenz’s mural is due to be completed on Friday – photo: Martin Booth

Doggart hopes that United Souls, United Goals will have “an open arms, welcoming message” for everyone who sees it.

Hoo’s words, painted on the piece by Inkie, will read: ‘Rise up, Bristol, stand tall. Bristol is a city for all.’

Doggart said that “it’s a thrill, for sure” to see his wife immortalised on the wall (that previously was the site of Breakdancing Jesus painted by Cosmo Sarson in 2013 which was later vandalised).

“But the image of Jen in that pose could be any one person. The important thing is – and she’ll say it herself – is that the statue could have been any person up there.

“The point is that she did it, she was there, that’s what happened. We’re never going to change that. What I want to do is take that recognisable image and replicate it because every time you see it, it will represent the reasons why she stood up there in the first place.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEBtSFNj7Ay/

Mr Cenz said: “I’m honoured and excited to be asked to create this mural as I feel very passionately about the cause.

“My work fits this project perfectly as it carries a message of equality, unity, and universal beauty, portraying strong and empowered women all of equal stature.”

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Planning inspector to decide if Black Lives Matter sculpture can return to Colston plinth