Gromit Unleashed on the City of Bristol for charity

A host of internationally-renowned artists are supporting ground-breaking charity initiative and major tourist attraction Gromit Unleashed to raise funds for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

Project organisers, Aardman and the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity, Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, can reveal an eclectic line-up of famous names who will each transform a giant Gromit sculpture with their individual and creative designs for the high-profile public arts trail taking place this summer from July 1.

With the support of tourism agencies Destination Bristol and VisitEngland, the project will see around 70 giant Gromits fill the streets of Bristol and is set to help raise the profile of the city to tourists across the UK and beyond.

Amongst the first wave of finished Gromit sculptures to be revealed are those designed by iconic designers Sir Paul Smith and Cath Kidston, Simon Tofield, award-winning illustrator and animator of the cartoon series Simon’s Cat and Richard Williams, the director of animation for Disney’s acclaimed film ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit,’.

Commenting on Gromit Unleashed, Paul Smith said:

“I am delighted to help support this worthy charity, I tried to make Gromit happy and optimistic! I hope you like it.” 

Their Gromit sculptures will be joined in the grand trail by a stunning and diverse range of decorated statues from world famous artists, whose designs have yet to be revealed. The eclectic line-up includes the creator of Gromit, Nick Park, Aardman co-founder, Peter Lord, well-loved, prolific children’s author and illustrator Sir Quentin Blake, the man behind The Snowman, Raymond Briggs, Axel Scheffler, who drew children’s favourite The Gruffalo, creator of the global ‘Where’s Wally’ phenomenon, Martin Handford and Richard ‘Golly’ Starzak, creator of Aardman’s hugely popular, internationally-renowned series, ‘Shaun the Sheep’.

For further information and the latest news on the project, visit www.gromit-unleashed.org.uk.