Bristol24/7 Article

ART / STREET ART

BRISTOL’S COAT OF ARMS GIVEN STREET ART MAKEOVER

By MARTIN BOOTH, Sunday Oct 10, 2021

Graffiti meets heraldry in BS6 thanks to the latest collaboration between two of Bristol’s most respect street artists.

Bristol’s coat of arms has been given a street art makeover by Acerone and Andy Council, who worked together to create the piece in a location they want to keep under wraps.

Virtual er Industrial is a version of the coat of arms officially granted in 1569, with the two unicorns on either side made out of castles and Bristol’s medieval city wall.

“Heraldry is something that has interested me for many years,” Acerone, aka Luke Palmer, told Bristol24/7.

“I guess I’m a bit geeky about semiotics, the meanings behind symbols and shapes, and how objects and animals can be used to represent certain traits and qualities.

“When the opportunity came up to paint this wall, the shape of it immediately got me thinking about a coat of arms as it would fit it so perfectly.

“I’ve wanted to do a new version of the Bristol coat of arms for some time, so it felt natural to follow that route.”

Acerone added: “The earliest recorded version dates back to 1300 and it has undergone various changes and adaptations over the past 700 years, so why not give it a street are twist for 2021?!

“Andy Council is someone I have collaborated with for well over 10 years now and with his ability to take architecture and local landmarks and turn them into mystical creatures, he was the perfect person to bring in to paint the two Bristol unicorns made from castles and the city walls of medieval Bristol.”

Photos by Martin Booth