Charting Change is a two-year art commission, led by visual artist Ellie Shipman. This commission explores the industrial histories around the site of the new campus and the local area, alongside it’s technological futures.
Working with collaborating artists, local people, industry partners and the University, Ellie will lead on a programme of participatory events, and temporary outcomes that explore these themes.
Temporary outcomes
This commission gives back to those involved through creative skills development, knowledge exchange and social activity. Across Autumn 2024 the programme included; a series of weaving workshops with a network of Somali Elders, led by Dhaqan Collective at Easton Community Centre and Wellspring Settlement; a weekly textile and collage drop-in at the University micro campus in Barton Hill; and an exhibition titled Work In Progress at St Annes House. The exhibition, led by Ellie Shipman and Jack Stiling, was accompanied by a programme of events all honouring women’s work. Ellie Shipman has said:
‘Work in Progress, speaks to all kinds of work in progress – from creatively responding to the evolving construction site of the new campus; to exploring the work in progress of how we work – and how far we still have to come in recognising who shaped local industry historically, to who is shaping community and research now and in the future’.
Ellie Shipman and Jack Stilling worked in collaboration with the Barton Hill History Group, who contributed historical artefacts and research towards the exhibition. They also worked with the TQEC contractor to source recyclable materials from the construction site for the mechanical, kinetic and interactive sculptures.
All of the events that take place and the people that take part in the Charting Change commission will inform the design of a permanent textile artwork for the Story Exchange.
The Story Exchange
This will be a room on the ground floor room in the new campus building, with a circular seating area designed to bring together expertise and experiences from a wide range of communities.
The new campus has been designed to be both physically and psychologically welcoming. Four winter gardens throughout the main building provide spaces to unwind and boost wellbeing. These atrium spaces incorporate seating areas with foliage for either quiet contemplation or social interaction. Much of the campus, including the Story Exchange, has been shaped in consultation with our civic and community partners.
Public art at TQEC
Charting Change will build on the TQEC artist residencies of 2018-19, and a range of public commissions that have already taken place as part of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus development.
This is one of three major new public art commissions that will be delivered with the Contemporary Art Society, as the University of Bristol work towards the opening of the TQEC in 2026. The commissions aim to spark curiosity and imagination and help create a place where people feel welcomed.
