Reclaiming Space – My Collaboration with Adblock Bristol
Public spaces should belong to the people, not corporations. That’s the driving force behind Adblock Bristol, a grassroots organization working to reclaim our streets from excessive advertising. By replacing commercial billboards with local art, they’re giving communities a voice and turning urban landscapes into spaces for creativity and reflection. I was honored to take part in this movement, contributing my own artwork to a billboard in St Werburghs. For one month, my piece replaced corporate messaging with something meant to inspire, challenge, and connect with the people who passed by daily.
The Power of Public Art
In a world oversaturated with ads, we often don’t realize how much of our visual environment is controlled by brands trying to sell us something. But what happens when we remove the marketing noise? We create space for something more meaningful—something that speaks to the culture, identity, and spirit of a place.
My Submission
For this project, I wanted to reflect the vibrancy, diversity, and raw energy of Bristol—a city that has always been at the forefront of art, activism, and community-led change. My design merged urban textures, cosmic elements, and layered collage work, drawing from Bristol’s street art heritage while reaching beyond into something more surreal and thought-provoking.
Seeing my work displayed in such a public way was an incredible experience. Unlike galleries, where people seek out art, billboards place it directly in front of everyday life. I loved watching the interactions—people stopping to take photos, discussing its meaning, and simply enjoying a moment of artistic expression where they’d normally see another advert.
Why This Matters
Adblock Bristol’s work is more than just an art project—it’s a statement. It challenges the idea that our public spaces should be dominated by corporate interests. Instead, it asks: What if our environment reflected our community, our creativity, and our values?
Final Thoughts
Collaborating on this project reinforced my belief that art has the power to reclaim, reshape, and redefine the world around us. Art should be accessible. It should be part of daily life, not locked away in galleries or buried under layers of advertising.
I’m grateful to have contributed to this cause and hope to see more cities follow in Bristol’s footsteps—putting art back where it belongs: in the hands of the people.