The underpass under Lawrence Hill roundabout is one of the largest in Bristol. Much graffiti has been painted on its walkways and tunnels, and posters stuck to its walls. Also it is possible to find items deposited, things like cups, cans and bottles but also sometimes more personal and substantial items such as handbags and articles of clothing. These items can be found on the ground beside the graffited walls but also sometimes wedged in between the handrails which trail around the underpass. The handrails are multi-coloured and often reflect the spray paint of the walls behind.
Posters advertising a variety of events can be found throughout the underpass, but smaller more obscure notifications are posted on the lamp-posts throughout. Some of these seem surreal, almost coded. I enjoy the way the posters degrade; elsewhere in my blog I have described graffiti as being a palimpsest, layers of archived material which can allow earlier material to be discerned. As posters degrade and tear earlier objects become visible.
The roundabout and underpass is found in a multi-ethnic area of Bristol and an attraction for me is the gestalt of that cultural melange.
Griffiti and found objects are collected in photographs here in a long term study of the colour, communication and discarded items of this underpass. I also want to start exploring the cultural values of this landscape, reflecting on the work of artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and maybe others yet to be explored. The phenomenon of street art as meaningful communication exists.
11.09 2025
I returned to the Underpass today before visiting the Martin Parr Foundation for talks by Magnum photographers Jim Goldberg and Alessandra Sanguinetti. There were fewer deposited objects today, just clothing, some cans and a pizza box. I enjoy the personal items, I derive a better sense of attachment to people who use the underpass. The graffiti and written words seem more distant to me, like hieroglyphics, a different language, statements I struggle to understand. I guess connection is important….
I have divided the images into 2 galleries.
I had a long conversation with a local resident who described the intra-cultural success of the locality. Although people walk, ride or scooter through the pathways most of the time, certain times of the day those numbers explode and families pass through.
Gallery 1
Gallery 2
10.06.2025
I returned again on 6th June and added this full gallery on 1st September 2025. Emphasis on left objects, colours, architectural features and posters continue. I have included some people on this occasion. I am due to return this autumn to see how it has changed.
