Lifeblood – 30 Days Wild (10/30)

River Frome, Bristol, June 2024
River Frome, Bristol, June 2024

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Urban oasis

unculverted stretch runs free

nature overflows

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by Scooj

  • 30 Days Wild is an initiative organised by the Wildlife Trusts. It is an annual challenge event, for those who choose to participate, to do one ‘wild’ thing a day throughout the month of June. I will try to write a nature haiku every day if I can, as my contribution to this celebration of wildlife and biodiversity. I did this back in 2015 and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.

Jay

Jay, River Frome, Bristol, June 2023
Jay, River Frome, Bristol, June 2023

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CHATTA CHATTA CHAK

lateral iridescence

a pause for a drink

Bristol Frome

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Riparian strip

emerges unculverted

urban oasis

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by Scooj

Lighthouse Community Garden

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Undeveloped block

space for people and nature

urban oasis

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by Scooj

  • I ran a workshop on Thursday in a fabulous little venue in Stratford, a part of London that has undergone an extraordinary amount of development before, during and since the London Olympic. The Lighthouse Community Garden is the last undeveloped space in the Area and demonstrates how valuable community green space is. It is there at the mercy of developers, and will eventually be swallowed up by concrete and glass as yet another unaffordable housing project gets the go ahead, for buy-to-letters to make a killing, exploiting underpaid workers of London.

4491. BRI steps

There is no doubting that Farrah is fast becoming the darling of Bristol mural art, and deservedly so. Her work can be seen all over the city now and is predominantly commission work, although she has painted one or two other walls too. Her bright brush strokes and abstract artwork alongside environmental themes makes her work a ‘safe’ option for commissioners and the Council, who are currently waging war against illegal street art.

Farrah, Bristol Royal Infirmary steps, Bristol, May 2022
Farrah, Bristol Royal Infirmary steps, Bristol, May 2022

This piece alongside the Bristol Royal Infirmary is just so right for the space. These fairly utilitarian concrete steps with perfunctory planting in the flowerbeds has been completely transformed with Farrah’s beautiful and calming artwork.

Farrah, Bristol Royal Infirmary steps, Bristol, May 2022
Farrah, Bristol Royal Infirmary steps, Bristol, May 2022

Each of the stages along the steps has a long wall that Farrah has painted, but the work has spilled out onto other surfaces, including the pathway under your feet. The whole thing is an immersive experience and tiny little adventure to take your mind away from the urban jungle surrounding you.

Farrah, Bristol Royal Infirmary steps, Bristol, May 2022
Farrah, Bristol Royal Infirmary steps, Bristol, May 2022

An additional feature are the little details that Farrah has included at different points around the mural such as a damselfly, butterfly, hedgehog and frog. This is a superb piece that demonstrates so clearly how urban art can be uplifting and improve an area immeasurably. Bravo!

Farrah, Bristol Royal Infirmary steps, Bristol, May 2022
Farrah, Bristol Royal Infirmary steps, Bristol, May 2022