Art / Sea Mills
Stunning mural transforms railway station
A stunning new artwork has been revealed at a railway station in Bristol.
The mural in Sea Mills has been designed with input from the local community and celebrates the flora and fauna of the area.
Rob Wheeler and Sophie Higgins Wheeler of Graft are behind the artwork, which is one of a number along the Severn Beach Line.
is needed now More than ever
The community artists say they had wanted to paint a mural in Sea Mills for some time, but that the suburb’s conservation area status made finding a suitable location difficult.
“We secured permission to paint it at the train station, on a big white wall which we have always felt needed some colour,” says Sophie.
The design, which Rob and Sophie call the “Sea Mills pattern”, is reminiscent of the wallpapers used in interwar council housing, reflecting the heritage of Sea Mills.
Rob Wheeler of Graft during the painting of the Sea Mills railway station mural, which took two weeks to complete. Photo by Mary Milton
Stencils based on the mural design were also used during community workshops. Local people of all ages spray painted their own artworks to display at home.
The designs included flowers, leaves and acorns, representing Sea Mills’ 100-year-old Addison Oak.
The most-popular choice was the Kingfisher, inspired by regular sightings of them on the nearby River Trym.
Rob and Sophie help local residents create their own artworks. Photo by Peter Hall/Graft
The Sea Mills station is one of the oldest buildings in the area, having been built when the estate was still farmland.
It is kept clean and tidy by volunteers – station champions John James and Dave Jefferies – who have noticed a lot of interest in the new artwork.
John says: “For me, the mural gave me an opportunity to reflect on what wildlife can be found around the local area which I had no idea of.
“It has also brightened up the station and provides a place of interest for those waiting to head off on their journey.”
The Sea Mills 100 museum in the phone box on Sea Mills Square also currently has a display about the new artwork.
Mary Milton is reporting on Sea Mills as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a pilot project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media
Main photo by Graft
Read more: More mystery Mr Bump paintings appear
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
