Bristol Cathedral Art Commission

Q&A with the Commissioning Group

Why is this commission important for Bristol?

• The commission is normalising difficult conversations and bringing hidden histories into public view. It is significant that the Cathedral is taking a leading role in shaping these discussions, creating opportunities for the wider community to engage. The project connects to ongoing conversations about Bristol’s colonial past, reparative justice, and how communities can acknowledge history thoughtfully and collaboratively.
• It will shape dialogue across the city. As a central institution, what happens in the Cathedral reverberates through the city, influencing how people think about heritage, identity, and reconciliation. This is part of a broader movement to address transatlantic legacies and explore what a more inclusive future for Bristol might look like.

What perspectives and stories do you hope the artwork will convey?

• The commission should reflect Bristol’s multicultural, post-colonial identity, highlighting both personal and collective experiences. Artists are encouraged to bring diverse perspectives, merging historical, social, spiritual, and personal narratives.
• The artwork should capture untold stories, ancestral wisdom, and the resilience of African and Afro-Caribbean communities. It should respond to the Cathedral’s past, including the Edward Colston memorial, and explore both familiar and unfamiliar stories that resonate today and into the future.
• Artists are encouraged to consider collaboration across disciplines and media, allowing different approaches and expertise to come together in meaningful dialogue.

What qualities or approaches should artists bring to the project?

• Artists should be bold, imaginative, and willing to challenge audiences emotionally and intellectually. They should be flexible, open to collaboration, and willing to experiment with different materials and media.
• There is an emphasis on creating a permanent work that speaks to future generations, so artists should consider how their ideas will endure. Vision and creativity are paramount; technical expertise can be supported, especially for materials like stained glass, allowing artists to focus on conceptual and aesthetic impact.
• Artists should bring personal motivation and curiosity, and think about how their work will engage with wider communities. They are encouraged to embrace a process of exploration and iteration, supported by the commissioning body and institutional partners.

How can this commission contribute to healing and understanding within the community?

• Acknowledging past injustices and engaging with truth-telling sets a tone for reconciliation and reflection. The commission offers an opportunity for the Cathedral to demonstrate accountability and to model integrity in confronting complex histories.
• Art can act as a catalyst for dialogue, bringing people together to reflect on shared histories, explore ancestral wisdom, and consider the city’s broader narrative. The project contributes to reparative justice work, creating stepping stones for ongoing initiatives and fostering deeper understanding across communities.
• It invites the community to take ownership of common histories, moving forward with integrity and care, neither denying past harm nor ignoring its impact, but engaging with it thoughtfully and with hope for future reconciliation.

Advice for artists preparing proposals

• Artists should be clear about their personal motivations and the stories they wish to tell, considering how their work connects to the Cathedral, the community, and the wider context of Bristol’s heritage.
• They should be open to collaboration, support, and feedback, understanding that this is a process that may involve adaptation, fundraising, and approvals. The emphasis should be on vision, creativity, and the integrity of ideas rather than prior technical experience.
• Artists are encouraged to embrace the permanence of their work, considering the legacy it will leave for future generations, and to explore ways their practice can engage with the Cathedral’s space, history, and energy.