Art / Street Art
What is Mr Bump doing in Bristol?
Residents in a north Bristol suburb have been puzzling over a set of artworks which have mysteriously appeared around the area.
Images of the bright blue and bandaged Mr Bump have been popping up around Sea Mills close to the Trym and Avon rivers.
It is unknown who has painted the images or if they have a meaning, but it’s fair to say their arrival has got people talking.
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Many have taken to social media to comment on their appearance or to ask what they mean.
Local resident Day Rochford said: “Although I’m not sure what they represent, they filled me with nostalgia of my childhood, which made me smile.”
This Mr Bump is hidden below Dingle Road by a wooded footpath. Photo by Mary Milton
The images have been appearing around Sea Mills over the last few months, with another local resident, Angela Weir, saying she first spotted one whilst walking her dogs.
She said: “I saw the first one months ago now on the wall of the drain in the field that runs adjacent to Sea Mills Lane. Not sure what it’s all about but it’s probably just a bit of fun and why not?”
Five Mr Bumps have been spotted so far: three along the Trym between Shirehampton Road and Sea Mills harbour, one on the Portway, and one on the banks of the Avon.
They have become quite a talking point, with blogger Luke Merrett even devising a 6.7 km running route which takes in all five.
He said: “I have no idea what the background behind these are, but they always bring me a little joy when jogging past them.”
One of the hardest Bumps to spot, under the footbridge at Sea Mills harbour. Photo by Mary Milton
The original Mr Bump was created by Roger Hargreaves in the 1970s for his series of Mr Men children’s books.
The accident-prone character also appeared with others such as Mr Happy and Mr Tickle in a BBC television series narrated by Arthur Lowe.
The books have been translated into numerous languages. In France he’s known as Monsieur Malchance and to Norwegians he is called Herr Dumpidump.
In Sea Mills, people are wondering if more Mr Bumps will pop up in their area, but the identity of the artist and the meaning behind the images remain a mystery.
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 Mary Milton
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