there’s a lot of gallery action featuring street art at the moment around bristol. the wilder gallery opens its doors, then there’s a the crimes of passion exhibition at the rwa, but tonight it’s time to check out the cells at the bridewell police station for a show called justice, put on by the long arm gallery.
immediately we enter the space it’s clear that this is a great show. the artists spent a week in the cells producing site-specific pieces and it’s paid off. the art, based largely around mugshots, fits so well in the space you’d think they were made to measure. studying least wanted’s photos, the faces are full of mystery and character. who are they? what did they do? c215 has a great portrait in the central area, along with other interesting pieces, including one behind bars.
c215 piece
each artist got the chance to deck out their own cell, which works really well. mc1984 and bruno layval stood out in particular, but there’s something about scrawling on walls that befits the writer and a police cell. c215’s work never fails to impress – his stencil work and portraiture is second to none. dan 23 has a good touch too. these are portrait artists at work.
mc1984’s cell
this show is a triumph and the long arm gallery deserve much praise for what they’ve achieve here. get along to it if you can. if you can’t afford least wanted’s book at £35 a pop, the least wanted poster set is a snip at £3!
justice
3 – 23 april 2009
thurs – sat 12-7, sun 12-4
the long arm gallery
bridewell street
bristol, BS1 3PY