A mural in Bristol can be gone within a few months. Weather fades it, a building gets repainted, or another artist covers it with something new. That short life is part of what makes the street art here so good, and it’s the reason a lot of people want a print: a way to keep a piece they liked walking past.
Why do Bristol street art works on a wall at home?
Bristol’s street art isn’t stuck in one neighbourhood. Stokes Croft has been a centre for it for decades, and Banksy’s Mild Mild West, a teddy bear throwing a petrol bomb at riot police, was painted there in 1999. Well Hung Lover followed on Park Street in 2006. In 2011 the See No Evil project turned Nelson Street into an open-air gallery, and every summer Upfest takes over Bedminster and Southville, billed as the largest street art and graffiti festival in Europe, with artists painting live in front of crowds.
The result is a city with no single look. You’ll find stencils, lettering, huge portraits, cartoon characters and local jokes, sometimes on the same street. That variety is good news if you’re choosing something for your own walls, because there’s usually a style that matches your taste.
Street art is also bold by nature. It was made to be seen from across a road, so it holds its own in a living room or hallway in a way that delicate work sometimes doesn’t.
Prints or originals?
A print is a reproduction of an existing image. An original is the one-off piece, made by hand. Prints cost less and let you own an image you couldn’t otherwise afford. Originals carry the artist’s actual marks, and in a city with this many working artists, they’re often closer to your budget than people expect.
If you’d rather hang something made by a local artist, the Artisanal Gallery Hub shop in Totterdown has original Bristol work, including a cityscape of North Street in Southville and a view over Totterdown’s rooftops. For more on how artists capture the city, there’s also Bristol Art That Captures the Character of the City.
Check Who Created the Artwork
Before buying a Bristol street art print, check who created the original artwork and whether the seller is authorised to reproduce it. A mural being visible in a public place doesn’t automatically mean anyone can sell copies of it.
Copyright and licensing arrangements can vary between artists and artworks. If you want a print of a particular mural, look for the artist’s official shop or ask the artist or their representative about authorised reproductions.
Banksy’s work requires particular care. His official website states that commercial licensing is handled through the Pest Control Office, so be cautious about sellers claiming to offer officially licensed Banksy prints without clear evidence.
What Makes a Good Art Print?
A few details can help you judge whether a print is likely to look good on your wall and last over time.
Paper: Look for paper suited to fine-art printing. Its weight, texture and finish affect how the colours look and how the print sits in a frame.
Ink: Pigment-based inks are often chosen for their resistance to fading. However, longevity also depends on the paper, printing process, light exposure and storage conditions.
Edition details: Limited-edition prints are produced in a stated quantity, and some are signed or numbered by the artist. Open-edition prints can be reproduced without a fixed edition limit. Neither is automatically better; check what the artist or seller is offering.
Size: Think about the wall and the furniture around it before choosing a print. If you’re unsure, cut a piece of paper to the intended dimensions and temporarily tape it to the wall to see how it looks.
Framing and hanging
The images are a bit strong and will generally be best suited in a plain frame. Black or natural wood will suit just about everything. A card border between the print and the frame, which is called a mount, provides a breathing space for the busy image.
If possible, try to keep prints away from direct sunlight. No matter how good the inks are, they will eventually fade, and a south-facing window will help to accelerate the process.
Smaller prints may be grouped. Three or four pieces, with differing sizes, and spaced appropriately, can look better than one large piece.
Check out samples before purchasing.
The first way to know what you like is to walk the streets. From Stokes Croft, go along to Nelson Street, cross over to North Street in Southville and Bedminster, where the Upfest murals can be found. There is public art on show in the Harbour Side and M Shed too.
Take a snapshot of anything that you are interested in photographing. If you watch the photos, you will see which ones are the ones that are calling your name, which ones you will live with.
See the real thing before you buy.
Walking the streets first is the best way to find out what you like. Start at Stokes Croft and head down to Nelson Street, then take a bus or walk across to North Street in Southville and Bedminster, where the Upfest murals are. The Harbourside and M Shed area has public art too.
Photograph whatever catches your eye. When you look back through the pictures, the ones that keep pulling you in are the ones you’ll enjoy living with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Bristol street art prints increase in value?
Some prints by well-known artists may increase in value, but this is never guaranteed. Open-edition prints generally have less scarcity than limited editions, although scarcity alone doesn’t guarantee future value. Choose artwork you genuinely enjoy rather than buying it solely as an investment.
Can you buy a print of a mural that has been painted over?
Sometimes. The artist may have photographs or a digital version of the original design and may offer authorised prints. Availability depends on the artist, the artwork and the relevant reproduction rights. Check the artist’s official shop or contact them directly to find out what’s available.
