Art / big jeff
Big Jeff’s art to be displayed on billboards across Bristol
Artwork created by Bristol’s most famous gig-goer will be put on display for a fortnight on billboards across the city.
Jeffrey Johns, better known as Big Jeff, recently launched his first solo art exhibition at Bristol Beacon.
While the venue remains closed, his paintings will now be able to be seen as part of a open-air exhibition with 14 works displayed on seven billboards from Ashton Gate to Whitby Road from April 2.
is needed now More than ever
“Hoping that these paintings will bring colour and the light of hope to our streets,” says Jeff, who lives in Totterdown.
“I hope they encourage people who are down to look up!”
“Art for me has been about expressing emotions. I can’t explain another way.
“These paintings highlight my issues with barriers and hidden anxiety and mental health. How people see me is one thing but internally I sometimes feel completely different.
“I use art as a way of expressing things that aren’t always easy to discuss.”
Music is unsurprisingly a recurring theme in Big Jeff’s art – image: Jeffrey Johns
The open-air exhibition is being organised as part of Build Hollywood’s Your Space Or Mine initiative which gives artists and creatives a platform on the street.
Build Hollywood marketing manager, Miranda Banfield, said: “Placing art, music and culture in the hearts of our cities is what we do.
“We are proud to provide a platform to showcase Jeff’s powerful, personal body of work which explores his inspirations and emotions in such an evocative, vivid way.”
For more information about the exhibition, visit www.bigjeffjohnsart.com
Old Market roundabout is one of the locations of the outdoor exhibition – photo: Build Hollywood
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: Breakfast With Bristol24/7: Jeffrey Johns
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