Commissioned by Bristol City Centre BID in partnership with Bristol City Council and a working group of local businesses chaired by Ren Renwick from the RWA, PS. With Love takes its name from Park Street and serves as a visual love letter to the area. Designed by Bristol-based letterpress artist Nick Hand and illustrator Hannah Cousins, the artworks combine printmaking and illustration to capture the essence of the neighbourhood – from Alfred the Gorilla, the beloved former resident of Bristol Zoo, to the HMS Bristol bell hidden in the Lord Mayor’s Chapel. Other symbols include the Park Street hill tackled by cyclists, the Queen’s Road flower stall and objects like books and paint pots that hint at creativity and learning.
PS. With Love: Park Street comes alive with new street decoration inspired by Bristol stories
From hidden bells to Alfred the Gorilla - a vibrant new art installation celebrates the people, places and quirks of one of Bristol’s best-loved areas
08/07/2025
This summer, one of Bristol’s most iconic neighbourhoods bursts into life with colour, creativity and community celebration. From Tuesday 8 July, PS. With Love – a bold new public art installation – will bring vibrant flags and banners to Park Street, Queen’s Road, The Triangle and College Green, inviting people to rediscover the stories and symbols that shape the area. Alongside the installation, a packed calendar of exhibitions, performances and cultural events will animate venues across the street throughout July and August.
Together, the installation and summer programme offer a dynamic invitation to locals and visitors alike: to explore, celebrate and enjoy a part of the city where culture, commerce and community meet.
The installation launches in tandem with a summer buzzing with cultural energy. Venues around Park Street will host exhibitions, live performances and community events – from the exhibition, Soft Power: lives told through textile art at the RWA Art Gallery and Gender Stories at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, to live music from Àbáse x Ziggy Zeitgeist at St George’s, a silent disco Pride party at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and new design showcases at the Stradling Collection. Events at Bristol Folk House will include a Pride exhibition, author talks and creative workshops, while University of Bristol venues add to the cultural mix with immersive art experiences.
Vicky Lee, Director of Bristol City Centre BID, said:
“This campaign invites people to spend more time here - whether visiting a gallery or music venue, meeting friends or discovering a hidden café. It’s also a celebration of the creative energy and independent spirit that define Bristol.”Ren Renwick, Director at RWA, added:
“The Royal West Academy (RWA) has over 180 years of heritage - bringing exceptional art to Bristol and South West audiences. From the RWA ‘s Grade II* listed building to the Folk House to the Victoria Rooms and beyond, this area has a rich cultural offering. This new public artwork reflects this richness and shines a light on the people, memories and landmarks that make this area so special.”The project supports wider placemaking efforts across the city centre, helping increase visibility and footfall while offering a fresh and accessible way to celebrate Bristol’s stories.
Artist Nick Hand, who first walked Park Street with his grandfather as a child, said:
“Now I walk the same streets with my grandson. These flags are full of small but significant moments - things that make this part of Bristol so rich in character. It’s about the past and present coming together, from historic moments to the song of a blackbird.”Running through July and August, the installation includes contributions from both artists and the community, with colours and imagery drawn directly from walks through the neighbourhood. It’s a celebration of what makes Bristol, Bristol – a project made with care, craft and local love.
