Audio artwork explores history of innovation in St Phillips

Injurious Effect - Ellie Shipman

Injurious Effect, a public artwork by Bristol-based artist Ellie Shipman has been unveiled. The work was commissioned by the University of Bristol’s Bristol Digital Futures Institute for permanent display in the new innovation hub housed in the Victorian Gas Works on Avon Street. The sculpture was fabricated by Jack Stiling of Stiling’s Workshop.

Listen to the sound piece via this link.

The artwork explores the relationship between innovation and societal change prompted by the history of the gas works. Fear of the new, of change and hidden or unseen implications have always gone hand in hand with socio-technical innovation. The artwork invites reflection on the past, present and future of innovation in Bristol through the symbol of a Wardian Case, a terrarium-like wooden crate used for transporting plants in protected environments across the British Empire during the 1800s. The Wardian Case represents innovation and all the wondrous possibilities and harmful impacts it can bring. It inspired the artwork through the history of the gas works researched by Dr James Watts who writes:

“It was recommended by some horticultural experts to give plants the protection of a Wardian case (used for transporting plants from across the globe) if there was a gaslight in the room. Gas was associated with air pollution which posed a constant threat to horticultural activities. “The fumes, or products of combustion, of coal-gas have a more injurious effect upon plant-life than anything else,” wrote B. C. Ravenscroft in his handbook Town Gardening (1883).”21”

Avon Street Gasworks and Bristol’s Gas Industry
A Bristolian history of innovation with lessons for our digital future

Local memories, artefacts and photographs as well as a BDFI report, ‘Avon Street Gasworks and Bristol Gas Industry’ informed the work.

The audio piece reflects on the impact of gas across Bristol and beyond: from local memories of children being sent to collect ‘coke’ (coal) in prams and homemade Go-Karts for their families’ fires; to the historic industrial development of the Feeder Canal, Barton Hill and East Bristol; the Gas Workers Strikes of 1889 and the domestic and societal implications of gas as an innovation.

Bristol Digital Futures Institute commissioned the installation for their newly renovated home to illustrate the history of innovation on the site from the last 200 years. The work asks the question, how can innovation protect what already exists, be used for good and mitigate harm?

More information about this public art commission on the BFDI website here 

 

Autumn Art Lectures 2022

Autumn Art Lectures 2022

Modernisms: Decolonising art’s history

This year’s Autumn Art Lectures will challenge the concept of modernism as a monolithic entity. Paying particular attention to ‘black-ness’, Asian-ness, difference and decolonisation, this series aims to expose diversity at the heart of the Modern. The series includes an in-conversation with Turner Prize-winning artist and cultural activist Lubaina Himid, known for her innovative approaches to painting and to social engagement. For information about the full lecture series and to book your free ticket, follow this link.

The Autumn Art Lecture series is hosted by the University of Bristol’s Faculty of Arts with support from the Centre for Black Humanities and Bristol Ideas.

Parenting in the Pandemic

We Shouldn't Have to Shout to be Heard Billboard Campaign

We Shouldn’t Have To Shout To Be Heard Campaign: October 10 – 29 2022

Amplifying the experiences and voices of families most affected by the pandemic and now facing the cost of living crisis

In November 2021 and March 2022 thirty mothers from families impacted by low income, living with a disability, single parenting or from a minority ethnic community, took part in a specially designed creative programme, funded by the AHRC, and led by Wellspring Settlement with the University of Bristol. The project asked the following questions:

  • what do we need to know about parenting before and during the pandemic?
  • What does your family need to thrive in the future?

Now the #ShouldntHaveToShout campaign generated by this project is here!

Between 10 – 24 October billboards and posters designed by Lucy Turner and Rising Arts Agency will be exhibited across Bristol featuring quotes describing the struggles and triumphs of these mothers.  Check the map to find the posters and billboards nearest to you!

Alongside, the art campaign, a policy paper ‘Shouldn’t Have To Shout – Valuing Parents As Experts’ co-written with the University of Bristol and the Wellspring Settlement’s team of Art Researchers will be circulated to local decision makers, councillors and agencies. The policy paper focuses on the need to value parents as experts, contains recommendations to make it easier for parents to communicate with schools, support children with SEND, share experiences with other parents, and find suitable childcare.