THE ARTS S N A P S H O T S O F B R I S T O L’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E
STR ou know what our home o ce walls need? A big doodle map of Bristol, that’s what. Rejoice, then, for one has just been produced for us by David Gee, aka Dave Draws. Dave’s a Mancunian, but as far as we can see his Bristol knowledge is on point. ou won’t find any street name on the map, but you’ll have hours of fun spotting all the major buildings, parks and other landmarks. The names of famous Bristolians are also dotted about, in a pleasingly random manner Maisie Williams appears to be dining at Pasta Loco, Russell Howard’s skulking at the edge of the Downs, while Stephen Merchant’s just o for a pint at Left Handed Giant. “I got into drawing maps by accident, really, says Dave. “I used to draw in the
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doodle style, but more abstractly, with little caricatures and animal drawings interspersed with the doodles. “While I was living in Berlin, I started exhibiting at some small galleries. At one of the exhibitions, someone said that my work looked like a city from above, which gave me the idea of making maps. I made my first map in 201 , and it kind of snowballed from there. When preparing a new map and he’s completed over 40, from big metropolitan cities such as London to, err, Glossop Dave puts out an open call for suggestions on his social media pages. “This is really helpful, as my followers always come up with one or two places that I wouldn’t have thought of. I then put a list together of
landmarks, bars, shops, restaurants, museums and galleries, and anything else I think might look good on the map. “The Bristol map took two and a half days to draw, with another day and a half for the research and the initial layout sketch. There was a lot to draw in Bristol, so it took uite a while to put it together. Well, indeed. We’re not Glossop. Spin-o merchandise is also a thing, and Dave hopes that Bristol mugs and coasters will soon be available, followed by tea towels, tote bags and cushions. he r stol oo le a comes to cl r er at a e ra s.co.
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www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 9