Big Issue featured in new street art mural celebrating efforts to help homeless people in Bristol

The iconic red Big Issue tabard has been featured in a huge 19 metre mural newly erected in Bristol to celebrate efforts to help the West Country city’s homeless population.

The mural has been painted just metres from the heart of Stokes Croft area, where Big Issue’s Bristol offices are based, and arrives weeks before a special gig by the superstar DJ James Hype to raise money for building micro-homes for people experiencing homelessness.

Featured alongside a vendor tabard is a street art recreation of acclaimed photographer Rankin’s portraits of Hype, which appeared on the cover of the Big Issue in August.

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The mural aims to raise awareness ahead of the major fundraiser on 22 November, which has been organised by innovative community currency company BillyChip. The fundraiser will directly support Help Bristol’s Homeless, a charity providing lasting, practical solutions to homelessness, most significantly through the building of micro-homes in the West Country.

The mural also celebrates the growing partnership between BillyChip and Big Issue, which now enables Big Issue sellers to accept BillyChips as payment for magazines in Bristol. This innovative collaboration makes the path to work and financial independence more accessible for our vendors.

Jack Richardson, who sells the Big Issue in Bristol, said: “Now BillyChips can be swapped for Big Issues, which is amazing for me, and incredibly useful.”

The mural has been brought to life by four of Bristol’s celebrated artists: Jody, Melo, Conrico and AimesWasHere. Each has added their own voice to the wall: Jody with striking realism, Melo with bold, vibrant colour, Conrico with intricate natural detail, and Aimes with an authentic graffiti style that reflects Stokes Croft’s roots.

This project has been made possible through the shared commitment of everyone involved. Mural agency Art Sync contributed £1,000 and waived its fee to maximise impact, while the artists reduced their rates in support of the cause. The People’s Republic of Stokes’ Croft offered discounted space and assistance, and BillyChip stepped in to cover the remaining costs, ensuring the mural could go ahead.

Jack Gascoigne, communications director at BillyChip, said: “Over the past year, we’ve been working hard to build meaningful connections with people and organisations who share our vision for real change. Seeing these partnerships come together, from Big Issue to Art Sync and DJ James Hype, shows how collaboration can make a real difference for those who need it most.”

Catherine Parsons, Managing Director at Big Issue, said: “We’re looking forward to seeing the iconic red Big Issue tabard made vivid and larger than life by the talented artists curated by Art Sync.”

“The BillyChip partnership has already been really fruitful for our vendors in the Bristol area, who are using the innovative community currency to stock up on magazines and continue working to earn a living.”

Azul Amos, co-founder of Art Sync, said: “It means a lot to be able to use our platform to spotlight causes that make a real difference. We’ve always believed art should inspire and connect people, this is our way of putting that belief into action.”

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