Art on the Hill 2022 returns to Windmill Hill

Bristol is well-served by art trails across the city, with many local artists exhibiting in their own homes at least once a year.

It’s a chance to have a leisurely wander around a corner of the city, getting a flavour of the diversity of work being produced by artists and makers on your own doorstep.

The first weekend of October is the turn of the Windmill Hill area of Bedminster in BS3, with the welcome return of Art on the Hill.

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From painting to photography, prints to ceramics, and architecture to resin craft, there is something to suit every taste. And though the art is front and centre, there will also be food, free workshops in badge-making and leatherwork, and extra performances laid on to enhance the experience.

Alongside residential homes, there are plenty of artists exhibiting at public venues on the map.

The Windmill Hill Community Association will be hosting live music, poetry and dance on October 1.

Lucy Roberts works mainly with found objects to curate collections of treasures in deep box frames – photo: courtesy of the artist

Dina Locker is a paper artist using Hanji, made from the bark of the paper mulberry tree – “an incredibly versatile and durable substance that can be folded or woven, but also soaked to create a clay-like sculpting medium” – photo: courtesy of the artist

Free trail booklets will be available from local venues before the weekend, or visitors can pick one up on the day.

Overall, there will be over 70 creatives featuring at this year’s event. Bristol 24/7 caught up with two of them to find out more about their work, their inspirations, and what it means to them to participate in community art events such as Art on the Hill.

Farrah Fortnam – painter and muralist working with acrylics

“My inspiration comes from the precious eco systems of our planet: oceans, coral reefs, sea grasses, forests and rainforests. I’m passionate about saving all of these wonders and try to highlight this through my paintings and murals.

“My art is my voice. Please help, protect and preserve what little of the wilderness we have left before it’s too late. I donate to Rainforest Alliance when I sell a rainforest painting, an organisation which has a positive contribution.

Farrah Fortnam with some of her paintings – photo: courtesy of the artist

“At Art on the Hill I love meeting new people and chatting to my local community, seeing their expressions and reactions and hearing their comments afterwards.

“And then I have a chance to describe my paintings and the reasons behind them, which you don’t get to do in exhibitions or when people view my street art. That’s why it’s so special.”

Farrah Fortnam in front of one of her murals – photo: courtesy of the artist

Jack Stiling – hand-building toys from scrap metal and modern waste materials

“My work is defined by what’s found on the street, the lustre in the gutter. These days that means aluminium beer cans, steel tin cans and small gas canisters.

“To tie it all together, basic fixings are used along with some scrap material, mostly cut copper boilers and pipe.

Work made by Jack Stiling – photo: courtesy of the artist

“For me, the toys: racing cars, planes, tanks… serve as a reminder of the u-turn away from a co-existence with nature. I find it fascinating to be at the end of the adrenaline rush, at the beginning of the consequences, but still with a heavy reliance on the ‘conveniences’ we have come to love.

“Art On The Hill offers a chance to meet those who wouldn’t ordinarily come across my work in a context where, over a cup of tea, discussions can take place on the narratives they form, and the stories they tell prompted by these toys. To see where it all really fits in among the everyday, and if I’ve done my job properly.”

More work made by Jack Stiling – photo: courtesy of the artist

Art on the Hill 2022 takes place on October 1-2, from 10am-5pm each day. For more information about the featured artists, performers and workshops over the weekend, visit www.artonthehill.org.uk or follow @aoth_bristol on Instagram.

Main photo: Farrah Fortnam

Read more: Art on the Hill: Meet the Artists: Benedict Mackay

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