New city centre mural will 'transform' area

The large colourful mural in Bristol city centre opened on Monday

The artist behind a new mural the size two tennis courts says it will "transform" a city centre area.

The artwork, called "Our Common Ground", was inspired by African heritage and communities in Bristol and opened on Monday, replacing the fountains on Centre Promenade.

Oisín Davis-Lyons, an artist from Bristol who is behind the work, said it took a team of painters three weeks to cover the 704.4 sqm.

"To be able to make something for the city, for everyone, in the heart of Bristol... it's been a huge honour and privilege," he said.

Work on the mural started on 9 September, with support from Upfest Projects which puts on Europe's largest street art festival in the city bi-annually.

It was commissioned by Bristol City Council and the Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District to help revamp Centre Promenade.

Oisín Davis-Lyons said it took three weeks to paint

Mr Davis-Lyons, who is known as Oshii and is from Bristol, said: "The scale of it, I've never worked on anything this size."

"I wanted to make something that would turn it into an area that people would like to congregate," he added.