See No Evil 2011: Transforming Bristol's Urban Landscape Through Street Art
In 2011, the city of Bristol reaffirmed its status as a global hub for the urban art movement with See No Evil. This week-long graffiti art event was the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom, turning a derelict stretch of the city into a massive open-air gallery. By bringing together world-renowned talent and local legends, the project highlighted how street art is woven into the creative DNA of Bristol.
The event was spearheaded by Inkie (Tom Bingle), a respected artist who emerged from Bristol's 1980s graffiti scene. Inspired by large-scale installations in Melbourne and Lisbon, Inkie sought to create a project of unprecedented scale in the UK to showcase the city's thriving urban art culture, which is already well-known for the works of artists like Banksy and Inkie himself, particularly in the Stokes Croft area.
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Key Facts
- Scale: The largest street art event of its kind in the UK, featuring 72 artists.
- Location: Nelson Street, Bristol, specifically targeting the old magistrates' courts and police station.
- Funding: A £40,000 contribution from Bristol City Council, matched by private donations.
- Global Reach: Included 20 of the world's leading street artists from cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Paris.
- Legacy: Documented in the award-winning short film Who's Lenny?
From Urban Decay to Cultural Attraction
Before the event, Nelson Street was described by organizers as a "1960s urban nightmare"—a bleak corridor of grey, decaying buildings between Broadmead and Colston Square. With little prospect of traditional economic development, the Bristol City Council viewed the project as a strategic platform for urban regeneration (the process of improving a decayed area of a city).
The goal was to increase footfall and attract international tourists, mirroring the success of a similar project in Melbourne, Australia, which drew nearly half a million visitors annually. The council hoped that by transforming the "empty shells" of the street, they could put Bristol on the international map as a premier cultural destination.
The Irony of "See No Evil"
The event's name, See No Evil, references the three wise monkeys. However, the name carried a deeper irony given the location. The artists were invited to paint the old magistrates' courts and police station—the very buildings where many of them, including Inkie, had been processed and charged during their early years as outlawed graffiti artists.
Inkie had previously been the ringleader in one of the UK's largest graffiti-related arrests during Operation Anderson. Returning to these walls legally to create art was described by organizers as a "surreal" experience, symbolizing the transition of street art from a criminal act to a critically acclaimed art form.
Featured Artists and Styles
The event hosted 72 artists, though it was noted that only two were women. The diversity of styles ranged from photorealistic murals to Calligraffiti (a fusion of calligraphy and graffiti) and anamorphic 3D works that appear to pop out of 2D surfaces.
| Artist | Origin | Notable Style/Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Inkie | Bristol/London | Four-floor high Art Nouveau female figure. |
| Kashink | Paris | Psychedelic, multicolored depictions of men. |
| Tats Crew | New York | Bronx-based trio; pioneers of subway graffiti. |
| El Mac | Los Angeles | Photorealistic renderings of classic European masters. |
| Shoe | Amsterdam | Creator of Calligraffiti. |
| Aryz | Barcelona | Massive colorful works using rollers (e.g., a wolf in a lumberjack shirt). |
| Chu | Bristol | Computer-aided anamorphic 3D graffiti. |
| Nick Walker | Bristol | Intricate stenciling and humor. |
Documenting the Movement: Who's Lenny?
To capture the event, the council commissioned a 16-minute short film titled Who's Lenny? produced by Hurricane Media. The documentary utilized cutting-edge techniques for the time, including wirecam technology in an urban environment, time-lapse photography, and 24-hour live coverage.
The film explored the evolution of graffiti from an outlawed activity to a respected art form, featuring interviews with artists such as Tats Cru, El Mac, and Shoe. The production was highly acclaimed, winning Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards for Best Short Film and Best Community Media in February 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary goal of See No Evil 2011?
The primary goal was to revitalize the run-down Nelson Street in Bristol, encourage urban regeneration, and attract international tourists by showcasing Bristol as a global center for street art.
Who organized the event?
The event was organized by Bristol artist Inkie, in coordination with Mike Bennett from the Bristol City Council, music promoters Team Love (Dave Harvey and Tom Payne), and Sam Brandt of Weapon of Choice Gallery.
How was the project funded?
The project received £40,000 from the Bristol City Council, which was intended to be matched by private donations. Additionally, place-making director Mike Bennett contributed half of the project's cost through his own salary.
Why was the location of the event significant?
The event took place at the old magistrates' courts and police station. This was ironic because many of the participating artists had previously been arrested and processed in those very buildings for their graffiti work.
What is Calligraffiti?
Calligraffiti is a style of lettering that fuses traditional calligraphy with modern graffiti, a form introduced by the Amsterdam-based artist Shoe (Niels Meulman).