I was in Bristol last weekend to celebrate my birthday (21... again). Fortuitously, I had timed my trip perfectly to coincide with the Bristol Arts Trail and Open Studio, a weekend when artists living and working in Bristol collectively throw open their doors and exhibit in their own homes and studios.
The atmosphere that sunny Sunday morning was friendly and welcoming, and when it was time to move on to the next house there was usually a queue of people waiting to get in. In some houses there were live musicians too and many of the hosts had made tea and cake.
What was most striking though was the quality of the work. Naturally, I didn’t go expecting to see half-baked ideas finished in a slap dash, amateurish way, but I wasn’t expecting to see art of such high calibre on display. Many of the paintings, drawings and illustrations along the route had a distinctly Bristolian edge (think Banksy-esque graffiti and drawings) but there was also jewellery, bowls made from turned wood, clay musical instruments, junk art and art made from ‘found objects’.
It made me happy to see people continuing to make art, not because they could make a living from it – although some could – but because they love making things. The ‘found objects’ art in particular I found fascinating; it tickled my inner hippie to see such aesthetically pleasing recycling.
Of the other people who came to view the art, most were Bristolian, and most of the art on display was for sale. This wasn’t just an opportunity to see the art, but also an opportunity to meet the artists, many of whom offered a commissioned, customised version of their work should the buyer want it. This truly was art for the people, by the people.
Al Lyle is a writer and musician.