People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol favourites: Linda Brothwell
Linda Brothwell (RCA) is a visual artist based at Spike Island in Bristol who works internationally.
Linda is interested in heritage, place-making and how people look after their surroundings. She is a multi-disciplinary practice casts her as a maker of objects, tools and publicly sited interventions.
Linda is one of four public artists selected to contribute to Bristol Beacon’s once-in-a-generation transformation.
She is creating a a work for the façade of the Lantern building, which will be her first permanent public artwork in the UK.
These are Linda’s top-five favourites:
Root
Root has been using local ingredients in a vegetable-focused menu since 2017 – photo: Mia Vines Booth
“Root is by far my top choice if we are having a special meal. I love sitting outside on the top deck and letting the evening pass with great food and company. There’s usually at least one thing on the menu I’ve never heard of and it’s invariably delicious.”
Spike Island
Linda’s studio is based in Spike Island, alongside other artists and creatives – photo: Mia Vines Booth
“The place I feel most at home outside my actual home is Spike Island. I am a trustee and have had my art studio and workshop there for about 8yrs. Add to that great friends, good food (thanks to Emmeline Cafe!) and great exhibitions to keep the inspiration levels up.”
Springfield Allotments
An area of Springfield allotment was saved from closure last year – photo: Charlie Watts
“During lockdown I created a ‘Time for Tea’ tool kit in collaboration with some of the community of Knowle West with Knowle West Media Centre. During the herb growing phase of the project we formed a group of local growers and gardeners to develop our own range of herbal tea blends. Springfield Allotments was one of the places we worked and this spot has recently been saved from closure by local charity Re:work and Knowle West Alliance.”
Coffee Club
Coffee Club recently opened their second site, operating out of a van at Paintworks – photo: Martin Booth
“Nestled in Hanover Place is the fab Coffee Club mini container which used to be a horsebox. So close to my studio it makes a brilliant coffee break spot.”
Bristol Design
Owner, Charles Stirling, has been selling hand tools (with the odd electric drill thrown in) since he first opened Bristol Design on Perry Road in 1980 – photo: Mia Vines Booth
“As the founder of the Tool Appreciation Society, I’d be wrong to not add this gem. One of the best ways to while away the hours is the secondhand tool shop Bristol Design at the top of Christmas steps. Specialising in wood working tools but sometimes with some other gems like jewellers clamps and files.”
Main photo: Linda Brothwell/STRIKE
Read next:
- My Bristol favourites: Jayde Adams
- Community allotment saved from closure
- Coffee pop-up opens permanent site in south Bristol
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