Zoe Gibbons is a freelance artist operating in Bristol who has run her own company for 14 years. She is a visual artist who works with mixed media collage, embroidery and tufting processes using salvaged and donated materials.
In the summer of 2024 the public art commission, 'Aunties of Easton' was installed. This is a series of portraits of 4 of the 120 women who were nominated in the area. These are now displayed on flags along Stapleton Road.
In summer 2022 she was awarded Arts Council funding under the DYCP scheme.
Zoe sells original artwork and prints of her 'Bristol by Billboard' series of work in galleries and cafes in Bristol.
She offers school, community and adult education workshops.
She has been commissioned by the National Trust, the Birmingham Orthopaedic Hospital and TV production companies. She worked with Bristol Museums, including creating a piece of artwork in response to their 'Opulent Origins' 200 years anniversary exhibition in June 2023, which was shown to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as part of their visit to the museum.
The above information taken from her website was not part of her presentation but provides background as to why she is currently working as a consultant with the Bristol Council twinning team.
Over many years Bristol has joined forces with the following 7 cities to help promote increased opportunities for the many aspects of healthy bilateral social and business relationships.
Bristol and Beira signed a friendship agreement in 1990 and the Bristol Link with Beira supports networks in Mozambique to provide practical benefits to communities
Bristol and Bordeaux have been twinned since 1947. The Bristol Bordeaux Partnership supports the many links between our two cities
In 2001, Bristol and Guangzhou signed a Sister City agreement. Today, the West of England China Bureau works to connect the two cities.
The Bristol Hannover Council manages a wide range of initiatives with our German twin city, and has been active since our cities twinned in 1947.
Bristol twinned with Oporto in 1984. The Bristol Oporto Association builds bridges between our two cities, organising many Portuguese-themed events.
Bristol Link with Nicaragua is the voluntary association which set up and develops the link with Puerto Morazán, a friendship dating back to 1989. The twinning between Tbilisi and Bristol was established in 1988 and is supported by the Bristol Tbilisi Association
Whilst having a general overview of the Twinning group she has a particularly keen interest in promoting youth activities and strongly promotes school exchange visits.
Next week we will hear from one of her colleagues, Caroline Pitt, how she works alongside her Beira opposite number to further productive relationships with Mozambique.