Six Sisters… five years in the making

First announced on International Women’s Day, The completion of the much awaited Six Sisters project, is now here!

The row of Victorian terraced buildings on North Street in Bedminster has hosted works from four female artists, Bex Glover, Zoe Power, Gemma Compton and Sophie Long, on the shop fronts of Like Sew Amazing, Zara’s Chocolates, Upfest and South West Upholstery.

Now, four become six, with the addition of newly completed murals by Lucas Antics and EJITS.

The final two ‘Sisters’ will be completed above Oowee Diner and Peter Burrows & Co Solicitors and feature work by Ejits and Lucas Antics.

Known for quirky illustrations inspired by American animation and Japanese character design, Ejits’s work brightens up any wall with cute and brightly coloured space animals, zombies and ghosts.

Lucas Antics’ work can be found peppered throughout Stokes Croft, Montpelier and Bedminster and is distinctly recognisable by its ode to graphic novels and brightly coloured whimsical designs.

The title of Six Sisters is inspired by San Francisco's famed Painted Ladies; a terrace of colourful Victorian and Edwardian houses which have been drawing attention to the Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood of the city since the 60s.

The project began at Upfest 2016 with the completion of the first mural by Bristol-based artist and fashion designer, Gemma Compton above the Upfest Gallery on North Street. This inspired Stephen Hayles, the founder of Upfest to continue the series and Zoe Power, whose brightly coloured illustrations can be found throughout the city, completed her mural above Zara’s Chocolates in 2019.

2020 saw Bex Glover, who specialises in abstract nature-inspired work, and Sophie Long, famous for her striking bee and animal artwork, complete their additions above Like Sew Amazing and South West Upholstery, respectively. 

Simon Dicken, chair of the Bedminster BID said:  “Bedminster is world renowned for its street art we’re lucky to have some of the biggest and best artists and artwork right here on our doorstep. It’s a huge draw for locals and visitors alike, as they can come to explore the streets and enjoy our local retail and hospitality offering.

“It is incredibly fitting, that as our high streets and hospitality industry re-opens and recovers, that we can welcome people back to the streets of Bedminster with some incredible new colour and creativity, five years in the making. I’ve no doubt this will be a huge  attraction for shoppers and visitors alike.”