Welcome to Broadmead Baptist Church Bristol’s illustrated mural ‘The Father’s Welcome’ by local artist Ralph Mann.
(© Copyright Ralph Mann 2011)
Let us help place the artwork in context:
- WHAT IS THE STORY BEING DEPICTED?
This mural is a contemporary visualisation of the Biblical parable of the Prodigal Son, as narrated in Luke Chapter 15, verses 11-32, giving this story a local and contemporary Bristol setting.
The story describes a younger son who fiercely asserted his rights, demanding his inheritance from his father. He set off to make his fortune, but squandered it all in wild living. His cash soon ran out and his circle of friends melted away and he ended up in the gutter starving. Eventually he came to his senses and realised that his best option was to return, cap in hand, to his father and beg his forgiveness. He knew that even his father’s servants fared better than life had treated him. At least they had a roof over their heads and enough to eat. He didn’t imagine he’d be reinstated as a son, but hoped he might be taken on as an employee. But whilst still trudging home, his father, ever on the look out, saw him and was filled with compassion for his son. He ran towards him, met him with a loving embrace and completely forgave him.
This story intends to make the point that incredible forgiveness and restoration to life and hope are always available from God the Father to all His children, however far away from Him they may feel.
- WHO ARE THE CHARACTERS?
Can you discover twenty four characters depicted in the mural?
They depict a broad representation of a variety of Bristol people that the artist Ralph Mann sketched going about their everyday lives in Broadmead and neighbouring Cabot Circus. They represent a cross section of Bristol society; different genders, nationalities and ethnicities, young and old, families, couples and individuals.
Can you find three animals in the mural? (two pigeons and a dog)
Can you discover seven references to recognisable local architectural landmarks?
(The Cathedral, @Bristol, The Suspension Bridge, Cabot Circus, The Cabot Circus Eclipse Tower (Harvey Nichols) The Castlemead Tower and The Galleries Shopping Centre tower)
Can you find figures representative of a returning prodigal son, a prodigal daughter and a welcoming father?
- HOW DOES THE IMAGE SPEAK TO YOU?
We hope you have enjoyed looking at the illustrated mural and that you have found the explanation helpful.
If you have time, pause and ask yourself some further questions:
how does this image speak to me?
Can I identify with any of the characters represented?
Can I discover something lasting beyond my passing the mural on the stair?
Is there a deeper welcome here for me to consider?
Does anything spread from eternity into time for you when you look at this image?
Can I see a welcome which suggests that everything searched for elsewhere could be found in the outstretched arms of love?
… A love that always welcomes, turns away no-one and is truly all inclusive…
The rest of this website contains the latest information on developments of the project, an outline of the project, information about the artist, the church, a location map and a way to contact us.
Please feel free to explore the site further.
Thanks for visiting and enjoy the mural.