Unstable Monuments Bristol

As artists, teachers, and mentors, we are passionate about finding new opportunities to support young artists and to make innovative art with real purpose and meaning. 

This ambitious crowdfunder will allow us to bring the following into reality :

• An impactful, experimental, and collaborative multi-media art exhibition in April 2022.
• Cutting-edge artworks by young Bristol-based artists from Creative Youth Network and established international artists, including paintings, projections, performances, and installations.
• Workshops and mentoring to allow early-career artists to overcome barriers and move forward in their creative careers. 
• A legacy that will shape a major post-renovation exhibition in 2023/4, in partnership with Creative Youth Network. Workshops and artworks will be showcased across the building and courtyard of the final build, as part of the launch of The Courts.
• A celebration of Bristol as a youthful, vibrant, creative City, rising to the challenge of a changing cultural climate.

We invite you to be part of the show – to come to the private view, to own artwork, to take part in talks and tours by the curators and artists, and to donate funding to support young artists.  We need your support to make this show happen... read on!

A landmark art event in an iconic building, 'Unstable Monuments’ will arrive in Bristol on April 8-10 2022. Internationally established artists and young Bristol creatives will work together to create a positive, dynamic show with multimedia events, workshops, a residency and mentoring. 

'Unstable Monuments' will be set within the historic, soon to be renovated former Magistrates Court in Bristol. It will be a celebration of the changing role of this landmark building from a place of sometimes rough justice to a venue offering hope and empowerment to Bristol's youth, as it takes on a new and important role as a creative enterprise hub where creative businesses and young people can connect, create and develop alongside each other. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved in an epic art event and play a critical role in supporting Bristol’s young artists and bringing a wealth of artistic talent to the city.

The former Regency Courts of Bridewell Street will be renovated over the next year or so to create The Courts, an initiative by the Creative Youth Network. Their role is to support young people to shape futures for themselves within a range of creative industries. We have a unique opportunity before building starts to harness the characterful and evocative backdrop of this historic building- including the courtrooms and a maze of cells in the basement-to showcase the work of our artists.

Established international artists and local young artists will be working together to reflect the environmental, social and historical importance of the site and the compelling stories of those who have passed through it. Based only a moment's walk away from the recently toppled Colston statue the artists will explore ways in which monuments can engage communities in celebrating positive change and move away from the idea of the monument as an inert memorialisation of the past. 

Following renovation in 2023/4, a further exhibition will be staged, featuring workshops and artworks showcased across the building and courtyard. These events will contribute to the continuing re-establishment of Bristol as a creative hub for the nation, post-Covid, and as a global centre of artistic excellence, with opportunities for interaction and education amongst the Bristol community. The artists will explore the exciting possibilities the building holds to create their art and encourage the art-loving public (and those who don't yet!) to get involved.

Unstable Monuments is conceived and curated by Jesse Leroy Smith and Matthew Benington, assisted by Maryanne Hawes and Stephanie Draper, and would not be possible without the support of Creative Youth Network. This show will be part of a pre-launch programme of events led by CYN and their Youth Steering Group.

THE REWARDS

We are offering a wide range of art and opportunities in reward for your pledges. Please see the Rewards section for full details. Detailed below are the artworks available under Art Lover; Original Art (£250). 

Above- 'Perfect Companion' 

Screenprint  30 x 21 cm

Jesse Leroy Smith

Above, 'Ferris Chernobyl'

Screenprint 100 x 70 cm

Matthew Bennington

Above; 'I See You' 

Etching, edition 100 

41.5 x 31 cm

Sophie Dennett

Above- 'Next Time' 

Screenprint 30 x 21 cm

Jesse Leroy Smith