Bristol Artists Selected to Lead New Public Art Project at University of Bristol’s Temple Quarter Campus

The project, titled Charting Change, is a two-year commission which will explore the industrial histories of the site of the new campus alongside its technological futures. 

It will focus on engagement and dialogue, working with local people and civic partners to co-develop a series of artworks and events over the two years, which in turn will inform the design of a permanent textile artwork in the main building at the new campus once it opens in 2026.

The commission is part of the TQEC public art programme led by the Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy.  Ellie Shipman, a visual and participatory artist, has been appointed as the lead artist for the Charting Change commission. Ellie is particularly interested in urban change, sustainability and womens’ stories explored through textiles, sculpture and social practice. 

As the lead artist, Ellie is now an ‘artist in residence’ on Wednesday mornings at the Barton Hill Micro-campus, providing the first opportunity to host community conversations and connect researchers into the city. 

Ellie said: ”I’m thrilled to be part of this project bringing residents and researchers together on my own doorstep and leading a programme of creative events and activities to investigate these themes with the wider public. Through this commission I want to explore what the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus development represents: a global university with local civic ambitions; a changing city with a challenging past; a community with multiple identities and and an industrial heartland moving into an unknown future.” 

Ellie has carefully selected a team of fellow artists to collaborate with, including Bristol-based artist/inventor Jack Stiling, and Dhaqan Collective – a Somali feminist art collective led by Ayan Cilmi and Fozia Ismail. Ellie hopes to add further voices to the conversation by inviting other contributors to take part throughout the programme. 

Tom Sperlinger, Academic Lead for Engagement at the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, said ‘Charting Change is an opportunity for artists and local people to work with us to understand the rich histories of the Temple Quarter site, and to weave those stories into the fabric of the University’s presence in a new part of the city. It will help set the tone for a campus which will be a meeting point for expertise and experiences from across society.’ 

Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, said: “Through Charting Change, we will partner with local communities and organisations to spark curiosity and imagination, create a place where people feel welcomed and strengthen community ties. With exceptional facilities for collaborative education and research, and extensive shared spaces to host community engagement, TQEC is advancing our commitment to make a positive and lasting impact in the region.” 

The commission is being delivered with the expertise and guidance of Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy who wrote the University’s strategy for public art at Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. Megan O’Shea, Senior Art Producer at CAS, said: “We are thrilled to be delivering the first commission in a really exciting programme of public art and cannot wait to see how Ellie and her collaborating artists activate the new public spaces of TQEC to encourage use by all audiences.” 

Opening in 2026, the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus will be a thriving new facility for the University and city of Bristol. It will be an innovative, inclusive space for students, staff, industry and civic partners, bringing people together to co-create solutions to global challenges that impact our society. Many spaces have been designed in consultation with the community, and collaborative facilities will expand our collective potential for mutual learning and knowledge exchange. The new campus sits at the heart of the wider redevelopment of Bristol Temple Quarter, one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects.  

Charting Change will build on the TQEC artist residencies of 2018-19, and a range of public commissions that have already taken place as part of the TQEC development. This is one of three major new public art commissions that the new campus will be home to, as the University of Bristol works towards the opening of TQEC in 2026.