News / Bristol Beacon
Sustainable art installation celebrates Bristol’s unsung climate heroes
A new public installation is working to highlight the power of local action against climate change.
The Global Goals Centre’s art piece is being showcased until November 12 in the Glass Room of Bristol Beacon,
The installation takes the form of a mural depicting a large swirling tree with 17 branches, each of which represents a local hero from one of the chosen community organisations.
Each hero was nominated for their work towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals as part of the Bristol 17 campaign.
For project lead, Jenny Foster, the image of a tree was vital. “The goals cover so many different areas of life, so we wanted to do something that encompassed branches of life reaching out and the idea of being rooted in community,” she explained.
Jenny added: “We asked each organisation to nominate the heroes themselves, so they’re not our heroes, they’re definitely community heroes.”
The installation urges other locals to take action and get involved. Photo: Bnar Sadar
The sense of community at the heart of the installation is clear to see. Involved organisations include Bristol Women’s Voice, African Voices Forum, Eastside Community Trust and Bristol Disability Equality Forum, among many others.
Alongside the mural are short video interviews of the chosen individuals discussing their work.
Talking about the 17 heroes, Jenny said: “They are just what you would call ordinary people doing brilliant things, so it’s not just the great and the good of the city who we already know about, it’s the grassroots telling their stories.”
Reflecting on how national media often focuses on the hopelessness of world leaders in the climate crisis, she added: “None of those we filmed would call themselves heroes, but right across the city there are people doing great things to help our planet.”
Bristol artist, Farrah Fortnam, was commissioned to paint the mural after being recognised for her recent forest murals.
When asked what she wanted people to take away from the installation, Farrah simply said: “Just positivity. Just hope.”
Referencing the COP26 event happening in Glasgow this week, she added: “The installation is a positive message that everyone can help, despite what happens up there, we can all do these things right now. I want people to channel their anxiety into something positive.”
Farrah Fortnam is a local artist who works primarily on murals. Photo: Sarah Dalton
All videos from the installation will continue to be available on Global Goals Centre’s website after the installation closes.
Jenny added: “I hope people see themselves reflected in the videos and think – this is for me.”
Main photo: Bnar Sadar
Read more: Experience Bristol Beacon’s transformation in immersive audio-visual journey
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
