With stunning views and awe-inspiring geology, the wild and rugged rock faces of the Avon Gorge are home to over thirty kinds of rare plants and wildflowers, beautiful insects and nesting peregrine falcons as well as the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge.
And now a section of a new photorealistic mural celebrating the unique landscape of the Avon Gorge created by the internationally renowned Bristol-based artist HazardOne could be yours!
Combining rich colour palettes with illumination techniques to create striking illustrations using traditional free-hand techniques, HazardOne has been recognised as one of the Top 5 female mural artists in the UK [The Guardian] and the Top 25 female street artists worldwide [The Huffington Post]. From a seven-storey mural in the heart of St Pauls, a community project on the Arizona-Mexico border, to the 79th Floor of 3 World Trade Centre, New York – her work takes her all over the planet.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust are offering a unique opportunity to win one of three panels through an online prize draw raising funds to support the educational work of the Trust’s free entry Visitor Centre. Each donation of £6.50 will count as one entry into the draw. Details on how to enter online or by post can be found at www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/prize-draw.
Chris Booy, Chair of the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust said “When HazardOne generously offered an original piece of artwork as a fundraiser, we jumped at the opportunity! One of the nation’s up-and-coming artists creating a piece showcasing one of the top botanical sites in the UK as well as Bristol’s own iconic bridge is something we are sure visitors will be delighted to enjoy – and our prize draw winners will be thrilled to own. The best of luck to everyone entering the draw!”
Featured in the mural are species such as the Bristol onion – or round-headed leek – a small and graceful nationally rare and protected plant that has a distinctive ball of magenta flowers on a tall stem; Bristol whitebeam, an endangered tree species unique to the Avon Gorge discovered in 1852 by Miss Martha Maria Atwood; and autumn squill, a rare plant with pale mauve flowers that was carefully removed and replanted by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, on the recommendation of Elizabeth Glennie (the wife of Brunel’s Chief Engineer), during the construction of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Specialist advice about the plants and their features was provided by the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project, which conducts wildlife surveying and monitoring, public engagement and habitat management on the Gorge and Downs as well as maintaining the Brunel Garden on the Suspension Bridge.
Warren van der Eb of Chapter & Holmes said “Having long been admirers of Hazard One’s beautiful distinctive style we’re thrilled to have this iconic piece taking centre stage in the Chapter & Holmes courtyard at the Clifton Hub. We’re looking forward to welcoming you for coffees, smoothies, Roskilly’s ice cream and cakes while you take in her artwork at one of the best views in Bristol. All we need now is some more sunshine!”
The mural will be on display to the public throughout the Summer at the recently renovated Clifton Hub (postcode BS8 4DU), with prize draw winners announced at the end of October 2023.
