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Sculptor installs surreal 'magical' street furniture

Charles Emerson A view of two old style lampposts tied in a knot on a public pathway by a canalCharles Emerson
The new sculptures celebrate the opening of a new city centre workspace

A trail of surreal sculptures of street furniture have been installed to celebrate the opening of new city centre workspaces.

The three new sculptures by Kent-based artist Alex Chinneck have been installed outside the new Assembly Bristol workspaces near Temple Meads Station.

The knotted post box, twisted phone box and pair of knotted lampposts have been cast in metal and the phone box becomes illuminated at night.

Mr Chinneck said he likes the "creative spirit" of Bristol and loved the idea of introducing "moments of magic" into its streets.

Charles Emerson A man wearing a red jacket holding a canvas bag walking past a red post box that has been tied into a knotCharles Emerson
Mr Chinneck said he loves the "creative energy" of Bristol

Mr Chinneck said he wants as many people as possible to see and "hopefully enjoy" the sculptures that took him four years to complete.

"Assembly Bristol is a large site with various vantage points and entry points," he said.

"I like the idea of creating a series that welcomes you to different locations rather than one artwork.

"It’s the first time we've made functional art and we're really pleased and excited about them.

"They have playful simplicity."

Charles Emerson A red phone box twisted with a light on inside in front of an entrance to a buildingCharles Emerson
Mr Chinneck said the artworks have a "playful simplicity"

Mr Chinneck said the story of Bristol's "artistic heritage" does not "begin and end with graffiti".

"I loved working in Bristol, it's such a nice city to operate in and has a fantastic creative energy.

"The artworks are not mine anymore, they're for other people to see, enjoy and interpret as they please," he added.

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