By Sebastian McGrath, Fourth Year, Spanish and German
The public artwork ‘Our Common Ground’ celebrates the work of those who have been historically underrepresented, with its core theme centred on pride in the city of Bristol. At its heart lies a large motif of a heart containing the word ‘Bristol’.
‘We want this artwork to be both a landmark and a meeting place,’ said Asher Craig, Chair at Bristol Legacy Foundation.
Commissioned and funded earlier this year by Bristol City Council and the Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District, the piece also had production support from Upfest, a Bristol-based art gallery.
Surrounding this emblem are bold, rhythmic patterns featuring eyes, hands, and masks – a nod to African heritage and the community voices that have shaped Bristol’s cultural landscape.
The artwork sparks ‘real pride to be a Bristolian’ said one passer-by to Epigram.
Another student described the piece as conveying ‘inspiring message of black excellence.’
Bristol’s Centre Promenade has made headlines before, with it being the place where the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was rolled down into Bristol harbour during the summer of 2020. The statue was ripped down during protests related to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Maud Humphries
The artwork was designed by Bristol-based artist, Oisín Davis-Lyons, known as Oshii, who said his work aims to remind the public of the power of shared spaces to unite communities.
Through immersive colour and scale, he hopes to prompt reflection on who is represented in the city’s landscape and whether more can be done to bring citizens together.
Sofia Lambis
Dana Andrea Datu
As part of the wider redesign of the promenade, free-standing planters and two large sunken flowerbeds will be introduced to bring more greenery to the area. Interpretive panels will also be installed to provide visual and audio guides to Bristol’s historical and cultural context.
The design process included months of public engagement, allowing residents to preview early concepts and contribute to the artwork’s development.
Featured Image: Epigram / Sebastian McGrath
