Together We Grow Public Art Project for Bristol City Council.
Bristol 2023/24
Commissioned by Bristol City Council as part of the City Centre and High Streets Recovery and Renewal Programme, this project involved two distinct but connected phases of public art at Horfield Library, Bristol.
The first phase was an exterior mural developed through an extensive community engagement programme with local residents and Friends of Horfield Library. Workshops explored local wildlife, natural features and the history of the area, with residents' input directly shaping the final design. The mural was painted by hand on the exterior wall of the library.
The second phase involved designing a set of laser-cut metal gates for garden entrance, fabricated by Creative Metalworks and installed by Bristol City Council. The gate design extends the visual language of the mural into a three-dimensional, functional object, connecting the artwork to the everyday experience of entering the garden space.
Together the mural and gates represent a complete transformation of the library's public face, making it more welcoming, more distinctive and more reflective of the community it serves.
Thanks to Friends of Horfield Library for their input and direction.
Commissioner: Bristol City Council / Funded by: West of England Combined Authority / Gate Fabrication: Creative Metalworks / Community partner: Friends of Horfield Library
Phase One / Mural
Community Engagement
I ran creative consultation workshops at Horfield Library asking local people what the library means to them and to contribute their ideas for the mural.
Concept Drawing
Phase Two / Gate
Laser cut metal gate fabricated by Creative Metal Works
Community Engagement
I ran creative consultation sessions at Ebeneezer Church, over the road from the Library where local people were invited to contribute their sketches, thoughts and vision for the gate design.
Concept Sketch
An organic repetitive design symbolising nature and growth in the community.
