Brand new collaborative mural lands in St Pauls: Brighter Places, Upfest and Hazard0ne join forces to bring new street art to local community

An eye-catching, large-scale street artwork inspired by the words and memories of local people has been created on Lower Ashley Road in St Pauls on the side of a new affordable housing development. 

Image: Lower Ashley Road Brighter Places Mural - Hazard0ne x Upfest

Brighter Places consulted with residents in St Pauls and St Agnes earlier this year who told them the artwork should tell an authentic story of the area using the theme of ‘Putting Down Roots.’ 

Upfest, Bristol’s world-renowned street art festival, worked with Brighter Places to commission the artist.  HazardOne, who lives locally and is one of the UK’s top street artists, was selected and workshopped ideas with residents from the new development to explore and develop the design.

In the workshops, residents talked about how they enjoyed hearing music as you walk down the street, the smell of jerk chicken on a Friday, the urban parks and how people from different backgrounds and cultures come together and enjoy the lively local atmosphere. Inspired by these memories and experiences HazardOne developed the pixelated face design to convey a sense of local diversity, inclusion and community.

The commission by Brighter Places, Bristol’s largest independent housing association, and Prelon Housing, is part of their development of a former petrol station site to deliver 31 much-needed affordable homes in the area.

Stephen Hayles, co-founder of Upfest said: “Being able to give local people and residents the opportunity to put their own ideas and creativity into this brand new piece of street art was something that we were really looking forward to. Engaging with communities and collaborating with them on this mural is what’s really made this a stand out piece of art for the entire neighbourhood to enjoy.”

Anna Klimczak, CEO of Brighter Places said: “Working with Upfest on this project was an incredible experience and we are blown away by the result. Hazard0ne’s vibrant mural on our new affordable homes is the perfect way to make the homes integrate with their surroundings.  As a Bristol housing association committed to delivering affordable homes and supporting local communities, engaging with local people was key to making sure the piece was created by the neighbourhood and for the neighbourhood.”

The new development will include a mix of one and two bed flats including affordable units that will provide much needed homes to support the local area’s growing population.  Currently under construction, the new homes will be completed in 2023.