PARIS artwork

Graham, aka PARIS, created the unique piece of graffiti art in a special demonstration for Art and Design students at the College, teaching them about his methods and techniques along the way. The piece will be auctioned with money going towards the College’s educational partnerships in Tanzania.

Auction details

The auction for this piece has now closed; regrettably, the bidding did not reach the reserve price that was set. In light of this, the college has decided to donate the work to the South Bristol Skills Academy, the ground-breaking new centre due to open in time for the beginning of the academic year 2010.

The piece

PARIS has emerged as a high profile graffiti artist over the past 20 years, with his work regularly appearing on streets across Bristol, as well as countless locations throughout the UK and Europe. As well as commissioned projects for organisations such as the Glastonbury Festival, BBC and Rankin Photography, his graffiti art has also appeared in exhibitions including the recent Crimes of Passion display at the Bristol Royal Academy.

“I’ve done a lot of work for charity,” said PARIS. “The people of Tanzania have got nothing and the fact that I can do something that’s enjoyable to help them is great. The painting will hopefully end up on someone’s wall and they can cherish it and know that the money has gone to a really good cause.

“It also carries an important message about pushing yourself, trying different things and developing as a person through broadening your skills and exploring new interests.”

Based on the idea that every person, regardless of age, gender or background, can achieve and develop in their surrounding environment, the finished painting uses arrows to represent the motion of life and to demonstrate the ability that everyone has to change the course of their lives. This ties in with the theme of the College’s key publications this year, which will feature elements of PARIS’s design.

Sarah Jeffs, Creative Manager at the College, added: “The arrows in Graham’s design represent the many directions in which we can choose to move – it’s all about state of mind.

“In today’s economic climate, this offers a fresh, colourful and positive message that evokes change and the idea of shaping a new future through education and training.”

City of Bristol College is expanding on its partnership with colleges in Tanzania after receiving a government grant from the Education Partnerships in Africa (EPA) scheme. Four staff recently visited the Morogoro and Mikumi areas of the country to offer training in areas including coaching and mentoring skills and the use of IT.

Watch an interview with PARIS