Meeting Artist Luke Jerram and Exploring the Bristol Art Scene

The first week of the Autumn Term saw our keen-eyed Upper Sixth travel to the creative heart of Bristol, offering a chance to examine the changing face of the city, as history continues to rewrite itself as its creativity blossoms.

A short minibus ride took the group from the early tranquillity of the Park to the working studio of international artist, Luke Jerram. We were welcomed to the developing creative quarter of Bristol, The Paintworks, where Jerram unveiled some of the initial models and maquettes that inform his larger scale work with which the public is more familiar.

Jerram’s work spans the globe, quite literally, from his giant orb-like ‘Gaia’ inflatables to his public street pianos. The group were surprised to hear about how much of his work crosses disciplines within science, anthropology and architecture, while remaining connected to art and the community.

Students were introduced to how working artists’ ideas transform from a simple sketch or rudimentary model into giant feats of engineering and craftsmanship. Luke welcomed any questions the group had about art, science, funding or even how to overcome a creative block!

Staying around the Paintworks Quarter, our newly inspired collective headed first to the newly installed Martin Parr Foundation, followed by the contrasting photographic exhibit on show at the adjacent Royal Photographic Society.

A Level student Anna commented, “It’s been really cool to see the process of creating artwork, especially Luke’s ‘oil fountain’, having seen it previously online and discussed it in lesson.”

Staying in the East of Bristol, our next destination was a relatively hidden gem, Arnos Vale Cemetery, a mere stone’s throw from Jerram’s studio. Bidding us farewell at its grand colonnaded entrance he informed us of the heroic protest held by the local community to save this site of beautiful historical significance.

“A strange place to stop for lunch,” remarked one student, but on finding the architecturally revived memorial building, all were impressed by the cafe and the opportunity to explore respectfully, looking to record the statues and investigate the personal histories of up to 170 years past.

Carrying the stories with us, we soon discovered how this played out in the centre of Bristol’s historic dock area. A second practical challenge saw photography become the driving force, capturing the monumental shipping cranes to the smallest fragment of narrative found in signs and textures around the area.

To complete the day our final stop was found up above the city centre in the university area, where Jerram’s recent glass pavilion is now reinstalled and the antiquities of a past colonial Bristol prompted debate about culture and change.

Now back in the studio, the visit’s memories still resonate and invigorate new directions at IB and A Level, but more than that, “It has encouraged us to go beyond our comfort zone when making our own work and inspires us to find new ideas within the old” remarked Sophia.