Theatre Curtain by Nils Norman, 2014

Following a period of consultation with local residents Nils Norman proposed a series of projects, Pieces of Play, which draw you across the small greens and parks scattered through housing. A footpath at Hengrove Park, and a series of discreet play areas draw you through the area to the Hengrove Community Centre and it’s new theatre curtain which includes drawings and photographs referring to the history of the area.

Nils Norman lives in London and works across the disciplines of art, architecture and urban planning. He is interested in ways in which public art can stimulate regeneration. Informed by local politics and developments in alternative economic, ecological systems, Norman’s work merges utopian alternatives with current urban design to create a humorous critique of the discrete histories and functions of public art and urban planning.

Curator Jes Fernie and Theresa Bergne, Field Art Projects, co-curated Future Perfect, a public art programme for the Hengrove Ward, a residential area in south Bristol, built primarily in the post-war era.  The programme was funded by section 106 monies released through a major building development on the west side of Hengrove Park and were devolved to the Neighbourhood Partnership by planning officers in an effort to ensure that the programme should reflect the needs and wishes of local people.

Future Perfect was conceived following a series of discussions, artist talks, and excursions with local residents to explore the potential of commissioning artists to work in the public realm; to challenge the statement we encountered regularly when we started working that “there is no community in Hengrove” and to reflect a strong local desire to create opportunities for young people in the area. 

Future Perfect was commissioned by Bristol City Council and was the first public art programme to be funded through a Neighbourhood Partnership in which governance was extended to members of the Hengrove community.