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(Image: PAUL GILLIS \/ Reach PLC)<\/p>\nThe new artwork has been met with a barrage of criticism online(Image: PAUL GILLIS \/ Reach PLC)<\/p>\n
Last week, a huge new artwork was unveiled in The Centre, turning the old fountain area into a colourful walkway<\/a>. Bristol Live\u2019s Facebook<\/a> post about it drew hundreds of comments, most of them were negative.<\/p>\n We went down to the mural to speak directly to the people using the space. The artwork is designed to celebrate Bristol\u2019s past, present and future. The reaction in person was much more positive. On a sunny afternoon, most passers-by agreed the artwork brings some much-needed life to what was previously a dull and grey corner of the city.<\/p>\n The mural is titled Our Common Ground. It stretches from the Cascade Steps to the Neptune statue. It was created by artist Oisin Davis-Lyons, who works under the name Oshii. It has been just over a week since the mural was officially revealed and some small signs of wear are already visible.<\/p>\n Steve Hayles, founder of Upfest, said the council has committed to weekly clean-downs to keep the space looking fresh. Upfest brought together the team of artists who created the piece. Work on the mural is ongoing and will continue throughout October.<\/p>\n Information panels will soon be added. These will offer visual and audio guides as well as cultural and historical context. Organisers hope this will encourage visitors of all ages to explore and connect more deeply with the artwork. The mural covers 704 square metres. It took around three weeks to complete and forms part of the wider revamp of the Centre Promenade following the removal of the old fountains, which had dried up and were replaced with tarmac.<\/p>\n The vibrant colours of the mural matched the upbeat atmosphere of the nearby food market perfectly. \u201cI love it. It is really cheerful and fits with the vibe of the market,\u201d said Anne, who was visiting the stalls. \u201cIt is a lot better than concrete,\u201d said her husband Chris with a laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cI love the way it feels around here,\u201d added their friend Helen. Her comment summed up the mood in person and stood in clear contrast to most of the online reactions.<\/p>\n Commenter Bs3bob says: \u201cNo complaints about the mural itself but it’s only been down a couple weeks and already it’s beginning to peel and get scuffed up by all the street traders.\u201d<\/p>\n Malagogogirl agrees: \u201cLooks a bit primary school to me. I can’t see how a mural on the ground in a high traffic area, especially with events and traders on it regularly, is going to last. It will become Bristol’s Forth Bridge.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeanette Sadler thinks: \u201cIt\u2019s gone from grass and flowerbeds to concrete slabs and fountains to this? I mean sure, it\u2019s bright and eye-catching, but surely seeing as we\u2019re supposedly an environmentally conscious city it would have been more beneficial to put grass, flowers etc back there?\u201d<\/p>\n Rams1974 agrees: \u201cIt looks tacky and embarrassing! A nice seating area with green plants and flowers where people can sit and relax would have been so much better.\u201d<\/p>\n Figaro1785 points out: \u201cOf course, this artwork is not there just for decoration is it? Barely a walking distance from it is the statueless, Colston plinth. The artwork is described as to celebrate Bristol’s ‘past, present and future’ by an artist who specializes in murals which promote a de-colonization and anti-slavery message. This artwork is intended as a bold statement on ‘the right side of history’ and the ‘interpretation panels’ will, no doubt, when they appear further this narrative.\u201d<\/p>\n Reh Fleed is in favour: \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful – feels very diverse which is why I moved to Bristol in the first place.\u201d<\/p>\n Shona Randall Salver agrees: \u201cPainted by a talented artist, who was commissioned to do the work and has created a beautiful vibrant mural to brighten the city.\u201d<\/p>\n Isabel Woods adds: \u201cIt\u2019s fabulous, bold, cheerful and joyful and most of all, heart warming.\u201d<\/p>\n Katieliz Sunflower feels similarly: \u201cI love it! Colourful, positive, and all about kindness and community.\u201d<\/p>\n HanhamHeights adds: “I think it’s a great piece, very bright and colourful and better than tarmac, but they definitely need to repaint where it’s peeled and then seal it properly this time as it’ll just start to look a mess if it peels further. No objections to the design though it’s pretty cool I’d say.”<\/p>\n Lau Ra is not so sure: \u201cDon\u2019t worry about the potholes, lack of social housing, the crumbling services, we have a mural!\u201d<\/p>\n Rickie-lee Binks agrees: \u201cAbsolutely nothing to do with Bristol, just another way to waste our tax money instead of spending it on the real issues in the city!\u201d<\/p>\n