Some huge names in the world of cinema, TV and art have designed sculptured for Gromit Unleashed 3 this year
Some more of the sculptures for this year’s Gromit Unleashed 3 sculpture trail posed beneath the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge this morning (Wednesday, June 11) as there’s just weeks until the trail hits the streets of Bristol.
The Grand Appeal and Aardman today announced its first two glittering sculptures inspired by Netflix’s Wednesday and Roald Dahl’s classic story The BFG as part of a star-studded line-up of international film studios, directors, celebrities and much-loved characters that will take centre stage in the trail this summer.
The hotly anticipated Gromit Unleashed 3 trail, which hits the streets of Bristol from June 30, will take visitors on a journey through the movies, with character sculptures inspired by cinema, fables, legends, films and the stories that inspired them.
The trail will feature more than 50 sculptures to raise funds for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.
Patients from Bristol Children’s Hospital were given the chance to get up close and personal with some of Gromit Unleashed 3’s newest designs in a special sneak preview on Wednesday morning.
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First among the line-up was the Snozzcumber-eating Big Friendly Wallace sculpture inspired by Roald Dahl’s The BFG and Sir Quentin Blake’s acclaimed illustrations. The ‘BFW’ is sponsored by Yeo Valley Organic, and will be delivering dreams from The New Inn Blagdon this summer.
The second sculpture introduced today – and re-imagined by Netflix – was Wednesday as Feathers McGraw, inspired by the streaming platform’s smash hit series.
Sponsored by Burges Salmon, Wednesday will be bringing her signature deadpan look to welcome everyone to Bristol from the iconic Temple Meads station this summer.
Next in the cast line-up was “Walk the Lime” – a citrus-infused homage to the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic, with ‘zesty vibes and a cheeky lime perched right on his nose’.
Katie Wallis has made sure that this pup, sponsored by and located at Wai Yee Hong, is sure to brighten every moment.
Straight from Wallace & Gromit’s latest escapade in Vengeance Most Fowl, coming to Netflix UK on June 25, the ingenious, Neat and Tidy gnome has brains, gadgets and a no-nonsense attitude.
Combining die-hard determination and gnome-alone genius with a knack for handling everyday tasks with precision, Norbot is dubbed “the epitome of British charm”.
Sponsored by Bristol Masons and painted by artist Bridget Phelan, Norbot will be gracing the outside of Freemasons Hall on Park Street with his presence on this year’s trail.
Finally Ringmaster, with a flair worthy of P.T. Barnum himself, was unveiled decked out in a tailcoat and perfectly balanced top hat.
Created by Tozer Signs and with thanks to the Hitchings and Milner family, Ringmaster is ready to take up residence outside Bristol Children’s Hospital this summer.
Nicola Masters, director at The Grand Appeal, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing the magic and wonder of cinema, film, stories and legends to our third Gromit Unleashed trail this summer, turning the streets of Bristol and beyond into a living storybook.
“Each Aardman sculpture is a character, each corner a scene, and together they form a spectacular adventure – all to raise funds for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.
“By following the trail, families, friends, residents of Bristol and visitors from the UK and all over the world won’t just be part of a city-wide celebration of creativity – everyone will be helping to create a brighter, and better future for young patients in the children’s hospital. This year, Gromit unleashes the magic of cinema grounded in a very real cause.”
Gromit Unleashed builds on the huge success of former sculpture trails, Gromit Unleashed, Shaun in the City, and Gromit Unleashed 2 – which collectively have generated over £20 million for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity and Cots for Tots, the dedicated charity for the Neonatal Intensive Care Ward at St Michael’s Hospital.
Over the years, there have been interactive sculptures, international collaborations with film studios, celebrities and collaborations with the biggest brands, and this year organisers say that trail fans “can expect that and more from Gromit Unleashed 3”.
