Art Meets Afterlife: BS4 at Arnos Vale

Exploring History and Art at Arnos Vale Cemetery: My BS4 Art Trail Experience

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in the BS4 Art Trail, exhibiting my artwork at the Spielman Centre in Arnos Vale Cemetery. It was a truly inspiring setting to share my pieces, which use vintage anatomy illustrations—a perfect match for a place so rich in history.

For those who might not be familiar, Arnos Vale Cemetery is one of Bristol’s most historic and fascinating landmarks. Established in the 19th century, it spans over 45 acres and was designed as a garden cemetery, combining beautiful landscaping with Victorian funerary architecture. It serves as the final resting place for many notable figures and reflects a significant chapter in Bristol’s history.

One of the most intriguing parts of Arnos Vale is the basement area in the Spielman Centre, which used to house a crematorium. Today, this space has been transformed into a museum exhibit, showcasing the history of cremation practices and the evolution of funeral customs in the UK. Visiting this exhibit was a poignant reminder of how the past continues to inform and inspire us.

I was thrilled to display my artwork in such a historically rich environment. The vintage anatomy illustrations I use in my work resonate with the themes of life, death, and the human body—making Arnos Vale Cemetery a fitting backdrop. As someone who loves both art and history, this event was a perfect intersection of those passions.

Thank you to everyone who visited and supported the BS4 Art Trail. If you missed it, I highly recommend a visit to Arnos Vale Cemetery—not just for its artistic events, but for its beautiful grounds and the fascinating stories it holds.

I’m already looking forward to future opportunities to connect art with history in meaningful spaces like this.