In 1996, work brought me to Bristol or Brizzle as it sounds in the local dialect known as Bristolian. Listen here. Over the years I've really grown to like the place. It is not too big nor is it too small and it has history. It can be linked to many significant events such as the discovery of North America in 1497 by John Cabot, the construction of technologically advanced ships including the Great Western in 1837 and the SS Great Britain that launched in 1843, blue glass production (known as Bristol Blue) and many nautical phrases such as Shipshape and Bristol fashion whose origin is rapidly fading into the mist of time.

Bristol sits on the Western side of England close to Wales. It has always had a sea port and to this day has strong trading links across the world. Bristol is perhaps most well known for its links with the America's, tobacco, slaves and pirates with Edward Teach aka Blackbeard being the best known.

In the 23 years I've lived in Bristol it has evolved and mostly for the better. Take for example the harbour area which has almost completely been regenerated. The derelict buildings that were a legacy of a time when trading ships laden with goods used to sail/steam/motor directly into/from the city are gone, replaced with a vibrant area filled with restaurants, pubs and public spaces. Somehow, a few old cobbled streets and buildings have survived though and these help connect modern Bristol with itself through time for us all to appreciate. Modern Bristol is a mix of buildings from all ages; the very old, through Victorian terraces, tower blocks and the very latest designs of stone and glass.

Like all cities Bristol has had its troubles and darker times too. More recently, St Paul's had riots in 1980 and 1987, Hartcliffe in 1992 and Stokes Croft in 2011. Time has, for the most part, healed those wounds but some signs especially of the 2011 trouble remain. An example is the 'Think Local' and fading 'Tesco' on the side of a building close to the Tesco site and the centre for the 2011 unrest.

The majority of the photography in this post comes from the Stokes Croft area. Today, it's a wonderfully bohemian area filled with independent, free thinking people who are not adversed to doing things differently. The area still seems to 'Think Local' and has many independent restaurants, clubs and shops. It has been described as Bristol's cultural quarter, conservation area and outdoor gallery. I particularly like the idea of the latter.

In recent years Bristol has become known for its street art thanks, in part, to the artist known as Banksy. Banksy has placed many now famous paintings on city buildings. Some think all such painting vandalism. However, as you will see in this post and subsequent posts in the series, much of the painting is artistically strong, colourful and brings a vibrance and character to the area's in which it exists. Visitors come specifically each year to walk the city looking at the artwork. It is a tourist attraction and an attraction that is forever changing as new work is placed over old.

Some of the paintings are huge covering a large proportion of a tower block, others are quite small. Strangely, whether small or large its easy to miss many unless you happen to be some distance away, perhaps on the other side of a street. Whilst walking you need to keep looking around as often they may be directly above you!

I hope you enjoyed part 1. In part 2 I write about Bristol's famous Lakota club and Full Moon club which both sit on the Southern boundary of Stokes Croft.

Andy

Bristol - Home of Artists. Part 1

Bristol - Home of Artists. Part 2

Stormy Skies