We Are From Dust ArtSpace Ashton Court

  • Zlatico by CJay Roughgarden
  • Transparenza by Andrea Greenlees
  • Freedom of Speech by Hugo Farmer
  • Bristol Boo by Paige Tashner

Date : 2020 – ongoing

Artspace Ashton Court was a collaboration between We are from Dust and Artspace Lifespace, an exploration of the power of outdoor art to connect people and places supported by the Bristol Parks team and with funding from We are from Dust and Arts Council England.

The pandemic was time of separation, anxiety, isolation and grief, and we wanted to create an art space for people to come together in a safe, outdoor environment. Ashton Court Estate lies at an intersection of Bristol and the surrounding areas and acts as an intermediary space for families and friends to meet and look over the city whilst being immersed in nature. We are From Dust ArtSpace installations focused on reflection, play, the controversy around free speech, equality and transformation. We selected artworks that invited introspection and celebration of the human condition in a rapidly changing world. The works we selected for the sculpture park were playful and invited interaction as well as introspection on contemporary issues. 

Please freel free to tag us on any posts you add to Social Media #ArtSpaceAshtonCourt @wafdust @artspaceuk #AceSupported #AshtonCourt #AshtonCourtEstate and we may repost and share on our social platforms. The art is free to enjoy for non-commercial use but the work is protected by IP Copyright and permission and agreement for use commercially must be obtained by We are from Dust in return for an agreed donation or hire fee.

Ashton Court is the perfect location to repurpose and exhibit large sculptural installations some of which have only been seen overseas and instigate a conversation about the need for more affordable spaces for UK artists to have a place to build and exhibit large scale work rather than it just been seen as an art medium for the privileged. Yomi Ayeni, Curator of ArtSpace Ashton Court.

Help bring more public art to Ashton Court

With thanks to Arts Council England #HereForCulture and especially to We are From Dust who funded the purchase of Zlatico and the Purr Pod. If you enjoyed visiting the artworks at Ashton Court and would like to continue to support our outdoor art project at Ashton Court then please contact us to make a donation. The money raised will be used to pay artists for the lease of their works, maintenance of existing pieces, and help with some admin. In 2023 we sadly had to say farewell to Transparenza as we did not have the funds to maintain it. We would love to add other sculptures to Ashton Court too but need public support to do so.

PLAY – The Courtyard – ‘Bristol Boo’ – Purrpod
Artist: Paige Tashner

INCLUSION – The Redwoods / Formal Garden ‘We are from Dust‘ (Retired 2022)
Poem: Edson Burton Installation: Drew Batchelor

ACTIVISM – The South Lawn ‘Freedom of Speech‘
Artist: Hugo Farmer

METAMORPHOSIS – Rose Garden Dodeca
Artist: Josh Haywood & Andrea Greenlees

TRANSITIONS – South Stair Tower ‘Dodeca‘
Artist: Cjay Roughgarden

RENAISSANCE – Walled Garden TransparenzaArtist: Andrea Greenlease (retired 2023)