Art / News
First installation on Old Market Lawn
A new site specific artwork calls for an increased investment in Bristol’s transport infrastructure.
Where’s My Supertram? by Zoe Pencils features both a billboard of passengers riding a giant scooter and a couple of people waiting for a tram.
It is the first public art commission at Old Market Lawn, a patch of land on the corner of Trinity Street and Clarence Road close to Trinity.
is needed now More than ever
She could be waiting a long time for a tram – photo: Martin Booth
The title of the work is inspired by Daniel H Wilson’s book, Where’s My Jetpack?, a thwarted promise of a sci-fi future.
Pencils, the nom de plume of artist Zoe Griffiths, says that Where’s My Supertram? “looks forward to the radical green transport future Bristol is ready for”.
Bristol’s tram network once criss-crossed the city and pioneering electric trams were introduced in 1895 but Old Market was the location of the last ever tram journey in Bristol in 1941.
A ‘supertram’ for the Bristol area was proposed in 2001 but the scheme was later scrapped.
Where’s My Supertram? features Zoe Pencils’ distinctive cast of characters both as sculptures and illustrations – photo: Martin Booth
Old Market Lawn project curator Sarah Staton, said: “It is a pleasure to be presenting Zoe’s work at Old Market Lawn.
“Her characters have leapt off the page and into a sculpture inspired by the scintillating supertram promise.
“I love Zoe’s work and it is a pleasure to give it visibility at this gateway site where Bristol’s best gathered recently in love and solidarity”.
In collaboration with Build Hollywood, there will be a changing programme of sculpture commissions and “artistic activations” at Old Market Lawn from different Bristol artists.
The henge at Old Market Lawn comprises a trio of reclaimed bath stone rocks developed in partnership with Rockaway Park and designed by stone carver Paul Roddan – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
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