Bristol Lip

This painting is a heartfelt art tribute to the city I love the most , Bristol, UK. A city that has shaped my creativity and always inspired me, Bristol is a place where beauty and grit coexist, a haven for artists and creators. This piece captures both the grace and edge that are inherent to this remarkable city.

The concept behind this painting started with a decoupage background, incorporating various Bristol landmarks: the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, the W-Shed, the majestic Cathedral, and more. These images symbolise the timeless beauty of the city, its rich history, and its sense of place. They represent the enduring elements of Bristol that inspire pride and admiration.

However, to balance this beauty, I painted a more angry, desperate face on top of the landmarks, reflecting the city’s darker side. Bristol, like many places, has its struggles. deep class divides and a painful legacy tied to whitewashing its role in slave history. This face represents the tension, the unrest, and the challenges that Bristol grapples with today.

To make the painting even more personal and reflective of the city’s spirit, I added the word “Bristol” tattooed on her lip. This element captures the edge that Bristol’s people carry . the fire, resilience, and grit. Once you live here, you carry a piece of Bristol with you, forever shaped by its beauty and its contradictions. This painting tells that story, one of complex love for a city that can both inspire and unsettle, with all its artistry, history, and truths.