It was due to be repainted ‘in the spring’ but nothing has happened yet
The future of the faded Centre artwork known as ‘Our Common Ground’ is still undecided.
The £61,000 artwork fell into disrepair soon after it was installed in September because the council insisted it was created with paint and materials normally used for road markings, rather than more expensive and durable thermoplastics.
Despite being repainted in October, it quickly wore away again and has become an eyesore in the middle of Bristol.
The council’s intention was to repaint the floor mural ‘in the spring’ when the temperature was consistently over 10C. But repainting is yet to occur and Bristol Live understands it may not happen at all.
A confirmed action plan has still not been agreed for the future of the artwork, a spokesperson for Bristol City Council confirmed.
Members of the public were divided on what should be done when Bristol Live spoke to them near the artwork on Thursday.
Maggie from Hanham said she supported the council ‘having another go.’
“It’s so sad to see the state it’s in,” she said. “I think it was a poor choice of materials or maybe the actual tarmac that’s the problem.”
“If they are going to repaint and the tarmac is the problem, then it’s just going to end up the same. But I do support them having another go because the mural does add to the location and brightens up the area.
“We were here watching them work and thinking how beautiful it was going to be. The cost is worth it for the vision but not for the outcome.”
The original price of the artwork was £61,000. Bristol City Council contributed £31,000, which went towards installing the artwork, including all materials, labour, production and health and safety equipment.
The remaining £30,000 was given to the Bristol Legacy Foundation, chaired by former deputy mayor Asher Craig, by the Bristol City Centre Business Improvement–which is funded via business levies–for an artist’s fee along with ‘engagement activities’, curation and production. The money required to repaint the space was not included in the original budget, and would cost the council an estimated £3,000 to £5,000 a year.
Charlotte Keen, from Bishopston, said the artwork had taken on a ‘shoddy’ appearance. While Ms Keen supported the idea of repainting the space, she also suggested the money it would take to do so may be better spent elsewhere.
“When it was in a better state the colours really added something, and it looked good but now it’s just faded away and looks a bit shoddy and grimy,” she said.
“I think it definitely needs redoing, but I’d like to see maybe a different piece of art if they’re going to repaint it. Let different local artists have a go.
“I do think that is a lot of money they’ve spent on it though and you have to think whether that money could be spent elsewhere.”
Paul from Bristol was not quite so accommodating: “The whole mural was a waste of money, and it’s a waste of money to repaint it,” he said.
“It’s not been finished long and it’s wearing away already.
“I saw just the other day that they had it all fenced off and were working on it again. I can’t see the sense in it.”
