The beating heart of Royal Fort Garden

Bristol Heart Institute interpretation sign

The new interpretation sign for the University of Bristol brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘living statue’.

The solid oak monolith is the third instalment in a series of iconic totems dedicated to the University’s research institutes. This sign embodies the work of the Bristol Heart Institute and has been designed to reflect the relationship between human life and nature. Joining many other works of art in the Royal Fort Garden this piece stands proud at three metres high, and if you get close enough you can hear the low thud of a heartbeat coming from deep within the structure day and night.

Previous designs highlighted the work of the Bristol Population Health and the Bristol Bio Design Institutes.

The new monolith is built from four solid oak panels which have been laser cut and hand painted to represent a human cardiovascular system. Following a couple of years of pandemic enforced hiatus, it’s great to add to the collection and celebrate the work of the Bristol Heart Institute in such a creative way.  

(Photo by Green Hat. Words adapted from text supplied by Green Hat)