Returning to Bristol was always my plan, and after the enthusiastic response to the first zine another trip was inevitable. The city is filled with unique architecture that one issue was unable to cover. With a growing community of artists, writers, and photographers this time it was possible to delve even deeper.
Throughout the preparation of this issue, I felt compelled to explore beyond the celebrated icons of Bristol’s architectural landscape, though they do still feature. I wanted to also feature those buildings that exist on the fringes of what defines brutalism or are often over looked. For many of these buildings, this could be the final opportunity to document them before they succumb to time or neglect.
In recent years, Bristol’s architecture has frequently made headlines, though often for unfortunate reasons. Currently, several buildings in the city face uncertain futures or imminent demolition. At the time of writing it is already too late for many.
The Rupert Street Car Park and the former Debenhams overlooking The Bearpit are among those at risk. The buildings collectively known as Bank of England House have stood vacant since my first visit to Bristol, their destiny still undecided after years of neglect. For some structures, however, time has already run out. The building that once last a Premier Inn is currently being reduced to rubble.
The aim of BRUTAL Bristol is to take the collective work of one community and make a positive difference in another. With that in mind, money raised from this zine and its related prints will be donated to FareShare South West. So far the series has raised over £1500 for charity.
Right now, over a million people across the south west are going to bed hungry while tonnes of good nutritious food are thrown away. FareShare South West joins the dots between food waste and hunger, empowering communities to turn an environmental problem into lasting social good. They rescue tonnes of quality surplus food from the industry and share it with charities and schools to bring health, dignity and routes out of poverty for people across the south west, while their supportive volunteering and employability programmes offer local people the opportunity to thrive.
Further Reading:
BRUTAL Bristol II is the second issue in a collaborative zine series created to showcase the unique architecture of Bristol from the perspective of photographers, writers, creatives and enthusiasts.
Money raised from the sale of BRUTAL Bristol II will be donated to FareShare South West, a charity working in the Bristol area fighting against food waste and hunger. So far the series has raised over £1500 for the charity.
Our Shadows Will Remain 