Art / North Street
Gorilla gets latest makeover
Before the sculptures of Gromit and later Wallace and Feathers McGraw took to the streets of Bristol, there were gorillas.
Wow! Gorillas to be precise, which in the summer of 2011 saw a public art event held to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Bristol Zoo, to raise money for charity and to support gorilla conservation projects in the wild.
The success of this original sculpture trail led to the hugely popular Gromit Unleashed – and if you look closely you can still find a few of the gorillas across the city.
is needed now More than ever
The original Suebo on North Street in 2011
In the run-up to Christmas 2011, Suebo was pride of place in a pop-up Upfest shop in Cabot Circus
One gorilla, Suebo, has had a series of different incarnations since he first appeared in 2011 on North Street opposite the Upfest shop.
A few years ago, the gorilla was given a fetching red tracksuit and taken inside the Upfest shop.
Designed by Cheo (whose work can currently be seen in The Outlaws on the walls of Sea Mills Community Centre), Suebo has now got his latest lick of paint and is now back outside.
A gold chain accessorises Suebo’s red tracksuit – photo: Martin Booth
Cheo’s signature bees remain on the animal’s posterior
The familiar Adidas logo has been reworked with bananas
Suebo cuts an imposing figure close to North Street Green
All photos: Martin Booth
Read more: Much-loved dog goes walkies from Millennium Square
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