Bristol Commons: The Making of a Mural
Videography and photography
How can we build a community of reciprocity, caring and sharing? This is exactly what The Bristol Commons community mural represents, materialised collaboratively in the heart of Stokes Croft - a vibrant creative district in the city centre.
The vision
The mural was designed to explore the emergence of the Bristol Commons. After joining the Storytelling and Communications working group, I was commissioned to document the process of the wall - from initial workshops to the community painting of the mural.
Established in March 2023 by Coexist, the project brings grassroots individuals together to strengthen local community and cultural spaces.
In its first year, over 70 organisations and 500 people helped progress the core aim of reclaiming the ‘commons’ – the infrastructure, such as parks and community centres, that improves collective wellbeing.
Community building
My documentation of the mural’s creation was used across The Bristol Commons’ digital platforms, including their website and social media channels. The imagery and video served not only as a record but as an invitation - welcoming others into the story, encouraging participation, and amplifying the mural’s message far beyond the wall itself. By visually narrating the process, the work helped deepen engagement and celebrate the mural as a living symbol of grassroots collaboration.
The creation of the mural on the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft outdoor gallery wall is a testament to the power of community. Local artist Roze Waudby was commissioned to design the artwork, and its very creation was a collaborative effort – embodying the message the mural set out to display.
