Artist Clare Thornton has been inviting Bristolians to share their shade of Bristol with her. In response she has created a unique colour swatch book entitled ‘DIY Shades of Bristol’ incorporating 60 individual shades created by the local residents she interviewed.

This swatch book was presented in the recent Craftivism exhibition at Arnolfini. Throughout the exhibition the artist invited gallery visitors to vote for ‘The Shade of Bristol’ using the DIY Shades of Bristol swatch book as a guide to select the colour they liked best. An impressive 736 votes were cast and the winning shade can now be announced as ‘Friendly Chaos Pink’ (created by St Werburghs resident Kate Monger). This vibrant pink shade beat runner up ‘Acacia & Toast Rust’ (created by Clare Abrahams of Horfield) by just six votes.

To accompany the vote there was a prize draw and the lucky winner of a Naturepaint Paintbox Kit is Linda Foy of Knowle. Friendly Chaos Pink got Linda’s vote as she says “I was struck by the labeling of the colour as well as the shade itself – it’s bright, feminine and in your face”.

This vote and prize draw has been supported by the award winning South West company naturepaint.com who also provided the artist with natural non-toxic pigments and paint materials for her workshop activities.

The artist Clare Thornton says:

“Collecting personal colour associations to create a unique swatch book for Bristol has taken me on a fascinating journey through the city. The stories people shared with me about their particular shade of Bristol and the care folk have taken in mixing just the right colour has been a rich and rewarding process. The shades and titles are as individual and colourful as all the people I met.  I feel I know parts of Bristol a good deal better now because of the hospitality I encountered through this project. I think my DIY skills may improve as well! It was great to swap and share DIY Top Tips with so many people too. As this part of the project draws to a close I shall imagine the city’s many shades and hues with a particular warm glow”

Project Background 

DIY Shades of Bristol A city-wide colour mapping project investigating everyday notions of Do-It-Yourself culture and colour associations relating to home and neighbourhood. The ‘map’ produced is a limited edition swatch book recording the personal shades and DIY top-tips shared with the artist through over 60 conversations and encounters across Bristol. The swatch book and a selection of self-mixed eco-paints were presented at Arnolfini and then (re)distributed through participants and their networks. The swatch book can be purchased from the Arnolfini Bookshop for £10.

DIY Shades of Bristol was part of Craftivism, an Arnolfini/Relational project. Craftivism was a participative exhibition involving 14 projects developed by artists and collectives that work with craft-based traditions and activist practices, and who employ the tactics of ‘craftivism’ & activism.

Published on: 23 February 2010