Pseudo Public Place

Belonging to my '(Host)ile' project

From early 14c. as "position or place occupied by custom, etc.; precedence, priority in rank or dignity; social status, position on some social scale;" from late 14c. as "inhabited place, town, country".

This artwork, which was situated on Bristol’s Turbo Island—an iconic and controversial piece of land central to Stokes Croft since the 1940s—comments on the growing privatisation of public spaces in urban areas. With the shift to internet shopping, the decline of town centres has widened the gap between rich and poor, as gentrification “cleanses” these areas of those deemed undesirable based on their financial status. The work critiques this social sorting, where anti-loitering deterrents marginalise the homeless and restrict their access to shared spaces. This diminishing right to roam fosters a dystopian environment, contributing to the mental health challenges faced by vulnerable individuals.

The piece itself embodies this fragile boundary between public and private realms: although privately made, it was placed in a public space, where it became subject to graffiti and social interaction. This act reflects the transformation of private expression into a shared, contested commentary on ownership and belonging. Through eco-therapy, nature has been shown to alleviate anxiety and depression, yet the dwindling natural and communal spaces prevent those in need from accessing these mental health benefits. This work invites viewers to question the ethics and impact of privately owned “public” spaces on individual well-being and societal inclusion.