Help us keep the lights on Support us
The Bristol Cable

Power through art: Michele Curtis

Sitting by the harbourside up and coming portrait artist Michele Curtis talks art, politics and ambition.

Voices

Sitting by the harbourside, up and coming portrait artist Michele Curtis talks art, politics and ambition.

In the overwhelmingly white and wealthy world of art, it’s not often you meet an artist who’s born and bred in Easton and the daughter of Jamaican parents. Sure enough, Michele’s journey into fine art isn’t exactly textbook. Having got laid off after 10 years working in mental health, she decided to give her creative ambitions a shot, signing up to a graphic design course. Her knack for using the brush and pen were quickly noticed, and things took off from there; launching exhibitions and winning awards for her artwork.

Back in 2014 Michele launched her first exhibition titled Iconic Black Bristolians, an umbrella name for a mix of shows which aim to educate and inspire the public about Bristol’s Afro Caribbean community. Blending art and history into one, Michele’s portraits celebrate the unsung heroes of Bristol’s Caribbean communities, from civil rights campaigners to the founders of St Pauls Carnival.

“After I had the first exhibition I was literally expecting no-one to turn up, but literally five minutes after the door opened it was just ram packed,” says Michele. “I’ve got a million different grannies and grandads now, and aunts and uncles that I’ve adopted this year and a half!” Emboldened by community and industry support for her work, she decided to embark on an initiative called The Seven Saints of St Pauls, a two year project celebrating first generation figureheads, with mural portraits planned for walls across St Pauls.

These grassroots historical art projects are a necessity says Michele, particularly for rapidly gentrifying neighbourhoods like St Pauls and Easton (check out her Bristol Cable history piece). “There isn’t really any record of what most of us have done. They’ve talked about the bus boycott, but there are so many other things that people have contributed to and achieved for Bristol.”

Michele Curtis

Keeping the theme of Carnival alive, Michele now brings Bristol Beats and Bass! The exhibition features portraits celebrating Bristol’s Afro-Caribbean soundsystem pioneers. DJs and MCs, from the legendary Smith & Mighty, Wild Bunch Crew and City Rockas are featured among others. Bristol Beats and Bass! Is being exhibited at the Island Bristol and closes on Saturday July 29th.

“I hate talking politics” says Michele. But fighting prejudice and celebrating the lives of those who are otherwise forgotten is what she does, and art is her tool of choice. “From my own experience, the media has a lot to answer for when it comes to people’s perceptions of how they receive other people from different backgrounds or economic status…. I hope that through art I can make people at least think twice, or at least consider other perspectives before judging people.”

Keep the Lights On

Investigative journalism strengthens democracy – it’s a necessity, not a luxury.

The Cable is Bristol’s independent, investigative newsroom. Owned and steered by more than 2,600 members, we produce award-winning journalism that digs deep into what’s happening in Bristol.

We are on a mission to become sustainable – will you help us get there?

Join now

What makes us different?

Comments

Post a comment

Mark if this comment is from the author of the article

By posting a comment you agree to our Comment Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related content

Listen: People Just Do Something, with Bristol Apartheid Free Zone’s Matt and Sasha on building a boycott for Palestine

Faced with shrinking support for Palestine, St Paul’s residents Matt and Sasha set up Bristol Apartheid Free Zone – a neighbourhood boycott of Israeli produce. This week’s episode, the last in the season, offers a hands-on lesson in how to push for change from within your community.

St Paul’s residents call for action on ‘upsetting and depressing’ fly‑tipping in their neighbourhood

After years of what they say is disproportionate dumping in their area, and too little action to find lasting solutions, a group of BS2 residents are taking their concerns to the doorstep of City Hall.

Campaigners say St Paul’s dentist could have reopened sooner, after enquiry went unanswered

NHS denies busy surgery where thousands queued could have stayed open, but residents' group leaders call for more transparency.

How St Paul’s residents fought to make the Malcolm X Centre a space for the community

The Malcolm X Centre on Ashley Road is one of Bristol’s most well-known and treasured community venues. What’s less well remembered is the struggle local people went through to lay the foundations for that status.

How a media backlash led to a St Paul’s woman’s dramatic release from prison

In 1933 Mary Burridge, a poor mother of five, was sentenced to a month’s hard labour after stealing a few items of food at Easter. But after a national outcry over her treatment, a wealthy lawyer flew to Cardiff to free her from prison.

St Paul’s, through the eyes of the reverend patrolling for peace

For years, the Reverend Dawnecia Palmer – a United Nations Peacemaker – has worked on Bristol's inner-city streets. After a recent spate of stabbings rocked St Paul's, she's praying for an end to the 'pandemic of the blade'.

Join our newsletter

Get the essential stories you won’t find anywhere else

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter to get our weekly round-up direct to your inbox every Saturday

Join our newsletter

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter

Get our latest stories & essential Bristol news
sent to your inbox every Saturday morning