Two local artists commissioned to transform Bristol Beacon

The commissioned artworks will embrace the building's historical context in a contemporary and sustainable manner

Local artists have been commissioned by Bristol City Council to transform one of the city's best-known venues.

Each piece of artwork throughout the Bristol Beacon building will be a reflection of place, culture and history.

Artists Linda Brothwell and Libita Sibungu are among those whose work will be showcased.

Previously known as Colston Hall, the venue changed its name in 2020 to cut associations with the slave-trade.

The public art programme will complete in time for the reopening of the venue on 30 November.

The areas of the building being transformed include the auditorium textiles, atrium interior, exterior façade and public audio artwork.

The artists will employ various materials such as paint, textile, fabric, stone, metal and ceramic.

Linda Brothwell, a visual artist based at Spike Island, has created her first large-scale piece to date made of bronze, in response to the neo-classical façade of the building.

"I wanted to look at the history of the building, what's happened around it and on this street during its history and use that narrative to create an elegant and joyful solution on a scale appropriate to the building," said Linda Brothwell.

'Transformation'

"The piece I'm creating is being developed with a high quality of craftsmanship, with exquisite detail and colour, using materials that are sympathetic to and resonate with both the building and the city," Ms Brothwell added.

Louise Mitchell, chief executive of Bristol Beacon, says: "The transformation of our building is about more than just the bricks and mortar."

"It has been an important and iconic venue in the heart of the city for generations, so our public art programme will help us to ensure we make the most of and celebrate this special space, reflecting the 150-plus years of history whilst also looking forward to the future," she continued.

Inspired by the location of the Bristol Beacon, Libita Sibungu is creating a public audio piece, drawn from maps and cartography to honour hidden histories from people of colour in the city.

"I've always felt a tension around this city and in particular our relationship or non-relationship to the transatlantic slave trade.

"Thinking about how Bristol grew up, it was built on rivers, so the sound-work will speak to the history and the water - a mobile and accessible experience that incorporates the collective experience of different people, with an emphasis around black and indigenous people," she said.

The commissioning panel involved in choosing the artists includes representatives from Bristol Beacon, Bristol City Council, and Arts Council England.

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