Bristol is full of art. It’s not just Banksy either. The whole city is eye-catching thanks to walls-upon-walls of street art everywhere we go. But it’s not just graffiti that fills this city, it is teeming with public art on permanent outdoor display in Bristol. Some of these are just statues like Queen Victoria by College Green and Isambard Kingdom Brunel outside of Bristol Temple Meads. Many, however, are far more abstract, beautiful and odd. Passing them every day, we just had to find out more about the public art of Bristol.
1. Lollipop Be-Bop
This 18-metre-high interactive sculpture by Andrew Smith was commissioned for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children to provide a bit of fun for nervous kids. Lollipop Be-Bop was installed for the hospital’s opening in 2001 when it became the first purpose-built children’s hospital in the South West. The hoops were originally designed to light up, but these quickly degraded. Not until 2022 were the sculpture’s lights restored to their former glory and lit up once again.
You’ll find Lollipop Be-Bop outside of the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
2. The Palm Temple
Luke Jerram is a legend in Bristol – mostly for the Park Street water slide, as well as his giant celestial artworks. The Palm Temple was originally commissioned by Sky Arts in Italy for presentation in London, as a place for contemplating nature. The colourful stained-glass dome, with a mirrored floor connecting sky and ground, now lives permanently in Bristol for all locals to enjoy. At night the artwork is internally illuminated. Just step inside and contemplate the world around you
You’ll find The Palm Temple outside the Chemistry Department at the University of Bristol.
3. Pero’s Bridge
In all likelihood, you had no idea what this was really called despite probably using it 50 times a week. Some call it the Horned Bridge, others Shrek’s Bridge, we often went with Millenium Bridge or Lover’s Bridge (due to all the padlocks). It’s one of the most well-used bridges in Bristol whatever you call it.
Opened in 1999, Pero’s Bridge is named after Pero – a slave who arrived in Bristol from the Caribbean Island of Nevis in 1783. The Irish artist Eilis O’Connell wasn’t so keen on the name choice. “The council can call it what they want, but Pero’s Bridge sounds a bit political.” I guess we’ll never know what those two trumpet shapes are meant to be…
You’ll find Pero’s Bridge crossing Bristol Harbour near Millenium Square.
4. Everard’s Printing Works
Bristol has some beautiful buildings, but the former Everard’s Printing Works building is undeniably the prettiest. It was built in 1900 by Henry Williams, with the Modern Style facade by William James Neatby, for printer Edward Everard. The contributions of William Morris and Johannes Gutenberg to printing and literature are celebrated in the design.
The building also features a woman holding a lamp and a mirror symbolising Light and Truth, while the arches reflect the Church of St John the Baptist. Most of the building was demolished in 1970 and incorporated into a new building, which is now the Clayton Hotel – but the facade was preserved.
You’ll find the facade of Everard’s Printing Works at 37-38 Broad Street in Bristol.
5. Spirit of Bristol
There’s always a lot going on at the Bearpit, so we’ll excuse you if you haven’t spotted the Spirit of Bristol – but it has been there since 1971! Created by Paul Mount, the stainless steel sculpture’s glittering potential has been cut back as the nearby trees have grown in recent years. Some say it represents the spirit of Bristol’s commercial history, while the ‘sails’ link to the city’s maritime past. We’ve also heard that it was designed for another city, but they turned it down first – so who knows if it means anything?
You’ll find the Spirit of Bristol in the Bearpit, or should that be St James Barton Roundabout.
6. Beside the Still Waters
As part of a joint initiative between Bristol Council and Arnolfini for the improvement of Castle Park, Peter Randall-Page’s water feature was made in 1993. The public art is precisely aligned with the east–west line of the centre of the bombed St Peter’s Church in Bristol. On one end sits a pinecone-shaped statue, on the other a more flowery shape – from the top of which water flows.
You’ll find Beside the Still Waters by St Pete’s Church in Castle Park.
7. Neptune
This unusual statue by the fountains has sat in six different sites since it was sculpted in 1722 – originally it lived near Bristol Bridge. But John Randall’s Neptune has been located at St Augustine’s Parade since 1999. With the one hand, the Roman god holds a trident, symbolizing his dominion over the oceans, and the other hand holds a sturgeon. A fine example of an 18th-century lead statue, it is a reminder of the city’s maritime history and is an iconic symbol of Bristol’s past and present.
You’ll find Neptune in the City Centre on St Augustine’s Parade.
8. Telespine
Do you know how long it took us to find a photo of Telespine? Too long! That’s how unremarkable it is. This wavy steel structure was created in 2000 by Chee Horng Chang, Concept Planning Group, Bristol Council and Alan Baxter Associates. Its intricate design resembles a human spine. It also works as a phone mast, so there’s that!
You’ll find Telespine at Millenium Square.
9. Follow Me / Hollow
Two for one in Royal Fort Gardens. Follow Me is a trippy mirror maze, created by artist Jeppe Hein, built in 2009 – its design reflects the natural habitats of the garden. In 2016, Hollow was created by Katie Paterson. Using samples taken from 10,000 species of tree from around the world, from fossilized trees to emerging species, it is the story of the world’s woodlands.
You’ll find both Follow Me and Hollow in the Royal Fort Gardens.
10. Hand of the River God
A small figure of Hercules holding an obelisk used to stand on top of the Hand of the River God, but that’s been lost for a long time (stolen in 1998) – maybe somewhere reading this has it hiding in their attic? Vincent Woropay’s 1986 bronze sculpture has taken on a more interesting look since its loss, however, don’t you think?
The public art is one of many around the Bristol Harbour. This includes Keir Smith’s Topsail, which was carved on-site over six weeks in 1987, and could be anything from the sea to a heart. And, our favourite, Atyeo by Stephen Cox. Named in honour of the former Bristol City footballer John Atyeo, it represents the globe, waves and battlements – but sort of looks like something completely else, don’t you think?
You can find Hand of the River God, Topsail and Atyeo by Baltic Wharf.