bristol art...

It's been an interesting couple of weeks for public art in Bristol.

There was the controversial new Banksy souvenir poster, produced in response to the protests following the opening of a Tesco store in Stokes Croft. All proceeds are going to the People's Republic of Stokes Croft.



 
Last week saw the vandalisation of a bronze sculpture of three figures on display outside the Royal West of England Academy. The statue, by David Backhouse, was damaged beyond repair.

And this week saw the arrival of Damien Hirst's Charity. This 22ft tall statue, produced in 2003, uses the image of an old charity box as a comment on social injustice.

All these works have divided public opinion and will continue to do so. But it's great that there's so much challenging and thought provoking art in the city centre.

Now, if you can just pass me that can of spray paint.....