Aardmanulls Merlin Crossingham Unleashes Gromit On Bristol

Aardman's Merlin Crossingham Unleashes Gromit On Bristol

If you head down to Bristol at any point during the next couple of months, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the local dog pound has opened its doors and let its inhabitants out. Strewn around the UK city are a series of installations featuring work from artists as diverse as household favourite Joanna Lumley, Britain's foremost hat designer Philip Treacy, Irish gardener Diarmuid Gavin and graffiti artist Inkie. The difference with these installations – the canvas is a 5ft tall rendition of Claymation canine Gromit.

A ground-breaking charity initiative, 'Gromit Unleashed' saw the folk of Aardman Animation approach 80 artists and celebrities to create individually decorated sculptures to raise funds for Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal. Famous names such as Nick Park (Gromit's creator), Sir Quentin Blake, Raymond Briggs, Cath Kidston, Sir Paul Smith, The Beano, Harry Hill and Zayn Malik, all brought their individual designs to the sculptures, alongside an eclectic mix of local artists.

We spoke to Aardman director, and Creative Director of Wallace and Gromit, Merlin Crossingham about the project and what being in charge of two of GB's nation treasures entails.

Wallace and Gromit creator stands by the blank canvases.

Musician Jools Holland stands by his creation.

Simon's Cat creator Simon Tofield's hand-decorated interpretation.

A 'Where's Wally' variant can be found by eagle-eyed Bristolians.

Nick Park poses with the Buzz Lightyear Gromit, designed by Pixar.