21st Century Kids: Bristol Through Our Eyes

Welcome to our city. We’ve worked with M Shed to share our generation’s dreams, struggles and experiences. Scroll down to find video and photography that gives an insight into the lives of young people across our city.

We Made This...

Photography

Videography

Research and Development

What would you ask a young person if you could ask them anything? We filmed a bunch of young Bristolians responding to questions that M Shed visitors had asked.

Below are 8 photographic portraits of young people from across the city. We also gave them disposable cameras to document their lives.

Brooke, 15, Lawrence Weston

A photograph of Brooke at Millennium Square in Bristol for the 21st Century Kids project.. She is looking into the camera and wearing a black tea shirt with a white long sleeve shirt underneath and also black joggers.

Photographed by Cidella Brown

 

Photographed at Millenium Square

“A lot of talented people go here and it’s a place where people can express themselves in many ways: skating, dancing and busking”

We gave Brooke a disposable camera to document a week in her life. Here’s what she took.

Brooke disposable photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of herself posing for the camera in Bristol centre near Castle Park

“ME POSING FOR THE CAMERA”

Brooke's disposable photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her friend in Castle Park

“CASTLE PARK ALWAYS HAS A MASSIVE RANGE OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE”

Brooke's disposable photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a shop front with a range of T-shirts and hoodies on a rail.

“MY DREAM WARDROBE ££ I LOVE FASHION A LOT”

Brooke's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of Nike trainers with black ink drawn over the nike ticks

“I COLOUR OR DRAW ON SHOES WHEN IM BORED (THEY ARE NOW RUINED)”

Brooke's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her bedroom wall with posters, pictures, cinema and concert tickets

“MY WALL FULL OF CONCERT AND CINEMA TICKETS”

Brooke disposable photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of herself posing for the camera in Bristol centre near Castle Park
Brooke's disposable photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her friend in Castle Park
Brooke's disposable photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a shop front with a range of T-shirts and hoodies on a rail.
Brooke's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of Nike trainers with black ink drawn over the nike ticks
Brooke's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her bedroom wall with posters, pictures, cinema and concert tickets

Beatriz, 19, Henbury

Photograph of Beatriz for the 21st Century Kid project. She is standing outside the Arnolfini in Bristol. She is looking into the camera and smiling. She is wearing a forest green fleece jacket and has a black tote bag over her shoulder.

Photographed by Cidella

Photographed outside the Harbourside

“Whenever I think of the centre, my mind always goes there. It represents a place of unity for all different classes and ages”

We gave Beatriz a disposable camera to document a week in her life. Here’s what she took.

Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her sister and her mum at the restaurant Turtle Bay. They are sitting at the table with their meal and her mum is taking a picture of the burger whilst her sister watches her.

“One of the times when my Mum (right) and my sister (left) get along well (bit of a rarity) @ turtle bay. They’re both pretty ain’t they?”

Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her family sitting down for dinner

“Talking to some of my White friends, I realised dinner time/food isn’t as celebrated or seen as family time as I feel it is within other foreign cultures. Obvs not saying this the case for everyone!!!”

Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her younger brother. He is taking a peak between the banisters behind the stairs.

“Cute pic of my brother, there’s a lil cupboard under our stairs, which as a child I would’ve loved & probs stayed there all the time.”

Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her friend in the background behind the sofa with is at the foreground of the image. Beatriz's foot is resting on the sofa.

“My friend Max. We just chill out sometimes. He was playing me his music & I was exercising. He also has a lot of coll posters of Carl Sagan’s ‘Cosmos’!”

Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her bed with laptop on it. Above is her windowsill where there is her mirror and makeup. Outside the window are trees.

“I often leave in a rush, this is my windowsill where I wake up and do my make up. My bed is right so I don’t have to get up. Also finding clothes to wear!! U know what I mean? Doesn’t help that I try to wear something I’ve never worn before every day. I was probs listening to reggae/dub. Adblock.”

Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the ceiling with the light on.

“There are times where I lay down on my bedroom floor, with intention to exercise or do something other than stare at my ceiling thinking of scenarios or past experiences or just the way I feel, physically, emotionally, in the world. I was in a muddle. Probably will again soon because that’s life + also PMS.”

Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her sister and her mum at the restaurant Turtle Bay. They are sitting at the table with their meal and her mum is taking a picture of the burger whilst her sister watches her.
Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her family sitting down for dinner
Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her younger brother. He is taking a peak between the banisters behind the stairs.
Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her friend in the background behind the sofa with is at the foreground of the image. Beatriz's foot is resting on the sofa.
Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her bed with laptop on it. Above is her windowsill where there is her mirror and makeup. Outside the window are trees.
Beatriz's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the ceiling with the light on.

Elio, 17, St Andrews

Photograph of Elio for the 21st Century Kids project. He is sitting on some steps in St Andrews Park in Bristol. He is smiling and wears glasses. He is wearing a black hoodie with a denim jacket with badges on it. He is also wearing red trousers and rainbow striped socks with black smart shoes. In the background are a few trees, houses and a climbing frame.

Photograph by Cidella Brown

Photographed at St Andrews Park

“I have fond memories of going there with my late brother Angelo”

We gave Elio was a disposable camera to document a week in his life. Here’s what he took.

Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his wardrobe doors with activism posters some saying "PRIDE IS A PROTEST" and "love is love".

“My wardrobe doors with all my activism flyers and signs and also a couple of newspaper clippings of my favourite TV shows like Mindhunter (which I especially love as I study criminology at college!) ☺️”

Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of himself and his friends smiling at the camera

“Me and my friends Winter and Rosa. Rosa was hanging off the balcony in her house here. We were all terrified that she was going to fall and hurt herself. That night was really fun and I’ll remember it for years to come.”

Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his friends posing for the camera outside the council office building

“My friends Winter, Bruno and Rosa – we had just gone to get sleepover snacks from the Coop in Pill Village. Although I don’t have great memories of Pill, my friends who live there help me make new ones ☺️”

Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a book of the biography of Oscar Wilde.

“I love Oscar Wilde. Oscar Wilde is my biggest inspiration for everything I do in life. I found this new biography on sale in Waterstones for £5 and just had to get it. It has 891 pages of amazing historical recount and I am a giant queer history nerd.”

Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a room with a TV, pictures on the wall, and a piano. Someones legs are resting on the piano bench.

“My close friend Jacob! I’ve known him since I was 14 and we’ve been friends ever since! This was a moment of relaxation where me, Jacob and my other friend Emily were all lying on his floor and talking ☺️”

Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the fairy garden. there is a little well and a fence that looks like its made out of icelolly sticks.

“I was going through a lot of things with my school in 2019, so in anger I made a fairy garden. It has a working well, tables, chairs, a door and live plants and moss. It now sits in our fireplace and reminds me of a happy thing coming from an unfortunate situation.”

Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his wardrobe doors with activism posters some saying "PRIDE IS A PROTEST" and "love is love".
Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of himself and his friends smiling at the camera
Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his friends posing for the camera outside the council office building
Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a book of the biography of Oscar Wilde.
Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a room with a TV, pictures on the wall, and a piano. Someones legs are resting on the piano bench.
Elio's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the fairy garden. there is a little well and a fence that looks like its made out of icelolly sticks.

Lydia, 18, Kingswood

Photograph of Lydia for the 21st Century Kids project. She is beside the Showcase cinema in Avonmeads, Bristol. She is standing in front of a window. The food counter inside the cinema is just visible and the car park is reflected. She is wearing a yellow/ mustard top and black dress.

Photograph by Harvey Folkes

Photographed at Showcase Avonmeads

“I came here a lot when I was younger and it’s still a place I come to now to break from studying and not feel guilty about it”

We gave Lydia a disposable camera to document a week in her life. Here’s what she took.

Lydia's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of table in coffee shop with open laptop, cup of what looks like coffee or hot chocolate and paper with notes

“Because coffee shops make me actually want to study☺️”

Lydia's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of millennium square in the dark with buildings and the ferris wheel lit up

“On my way back from the gym. I didn’t know how nice millennium square was until I took this photo☺️”

Lydia's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of herself taking a picture in the mirror of the bathroom. She is wearing a uniform

“WORK BREAKS: I’ve been working here since December 2018 and this is my first job.”

Lydia's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of Bristol Cathedral on College Green

“Graduations take place at the cathedral by my sixth form and it’s a reminder for me to work hard and be able to study medicine.”

Lydia's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the street outside of her sixth form. People are walking down the street

“Life of an A Level student = appreciating the times you don’t have an exam and can take a break”

Lydia's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of table in coffee shop with open laptop, cup of what looks like coffee or hot chocolate and paper with notes
Lydia's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of millennium square in the dark with buildings and the ferris wheel lit up
Lydia's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of herself taking a picture in the mirror of the bathroom. She is wearing a uniform
Lydia's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of Bristol Cathedral on College Green
Lydia's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the street outside of her sixth form. People are walking down the street

Damien, 16, Lockleaze

Photograph of Damien for the 21st Century Kids project. He is standing in the road in Lockleaze, Bristol. There are cars parked either side of the road and houses in the background. Damien is wearing a grey top with the St Georges cross on it and black jogging trousers

Photograph by Harvey Folkes

Photographed near his home in Lockleaze

“I wanted to show where I was brought up”

We gave Damien a disposable camera to document a week in his life. Here’s what he took.

Damien's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his fridge covered in photographs and fridge magnets.

“My fridge, in the kitchen”

Damien's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a display of his trophies, medals and certificates

“All my trophies from different sports (mainly football)”

Damien's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of outside his school window. There are terrace houses and looks quite foggy.

“My point of view looking outside my school window”

Damien's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of outside taken from a window it seems. There is a tower block in the background and a tall hedge in the foreground.

“The school day starts”

Damien's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his mum. She is sitting in her wheelchair looking outside the front door a dog in her lap.

“My mum with the dog”

Damien's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his fridge covered in photographs and fridge magnets.
Damien's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a display of his trophies, medals and certificates
Damien's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of outside his school window. There are terrace houses and looks quite foggy.
Damien's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of outside taken from a window it seems. There is a tower block in the background and a tall hedge in the foreground.
Damien's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his mum. She is sitting in her wheelchair looking outside the front door a dog in her lap.

Fred, 19, Brislington

Photograph of Fred for the 21st Century Kids Project. He is standing in front of bookshelves filled with books. He is standing with his arms crossed and smiling in to the camera. He is wearing a black hoodie and a denim jacket.

Photograph by Harvey Folkes

Photographed at Forbidden Planet

“It’s the place I feel most comfortable”

We gave Fred a disposable camera to document a week in his life. Here’s what he took.

Fred's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a framed pencil drawing of a mythical creature (looks like a goblin with a club in its hands)

“This is a picture of a drawing my Dad did for me a long time ago”

Fred's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his brother asleep in bed. There is a dog also on the bed looking a the camera in the foreground.

“The first photo I took of my brother, directly after signing my [photographic permission] sheet he went to bed and waited until he was asleep. Then I took a photo of him sleeping ☺️”

Fred's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his room. To the left is his wardrobe with pop figures in boxes on top of the wardrobe. Next to that is a chest of drawers with a TV, hats, hair products and toys on top.

“This is my room and all the stuff I have from collecting pop figures”

Fred's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his friends, Moe, posing in front of a green screen

“My mate Moe, helping with a green screen project at college”

Fred's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of himself.

“This is of me walking to college early in the morning”

Fred's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a framed pencil drawing of a mythical creature (looks like a goblin with a club in its hands)
Fred's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his brother asleep in bed. There is a dog also on the bed looking a the camera in the foreground.
Fred's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his room. To the left is his wardrobe with pop figures in boxes on top of the wardrobe. Next to that is a chest of drawers with a TV, hats, hair products and toys on top.
Fred's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of his friends, Moe, posing in front of a green screen
Fred's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of himself.

Hersi, 19, Eastville

Photograph of Hersi for the 21st Century Kids Project. He is standing in Eastville park, Bristol. He is looking in to the camera with his hands in his pockets. He is wearing a black bomber jacket with a grey hoodie underneath and black jeans. He is standing on one of the paths in Eastville park, trees stand either side of the path and there are many trees in the background on lush green grass.

Photograph by Harvey Folkes

Photographed at Eastville Park

“There are so many memories of family forgetting about their worries here, at least for a couple of hours”.

We gave Hersi a given disposable camera to document a week in his life. Here’s what he took.

Hersi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a light fixture at the museum that looks to be a similar shape of a flower.

“Cool lights in the museum. I don’t know why I notice this kind of stuff.”

Hersi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the pavement and puddle

“This dirty grey water reminded me of when I had bought some water pistols and had a massive water fight. I was 17.”

Hersi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the entrance to St Nicholas Market via All Saints Lane.

“For a second, I didn’t think I was in Bristol. I was and it was the back entrance to my favourite place in town, St Nicholas market.”

Hersi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the corner of Waterstones showing the walls of bookshelves.

“I spend an embarrassing amount of time in Waterstones. Also an embarrassing amount of money. Time is money?”

Hersi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a field with a view overlooking Bristol.

“The walk to and from home and uni is actually one of the best things because I get to see this while listening to music or an audio book.”

Hersi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a light fixture at the museum that looks to be a similar shape of a flower.
Hersi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the pavement and puddle
Hersi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the entrance to St Nicholas Market via All Saints Lane.
Hersi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of the corner of Waterstones showing the walls of bookshelves.
Hersi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a field with a view overlooking Bristol.

Abbi, 18, St George

Photograph of Abbi for the 21st Century Kids Project. She is standing inside the Arnolfini, Bristol. The background appears to be a black and white curtain. She is standing and smiling. She is wearing a purple top, white cardigan and blue jeans.

Photograph by Cidella Brown

Photographed at Arnolfini

“It’s is where I had my first art exhibition, this inspired and motivated me so much that I set up my own art business.”

We gave Abbi a disposable camera to document a week in her life. Here’s what she took.

Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her taking a picture of herself in the mirror with a collage surrounding it. There are photographs, drawings and book covers.

“A photo of myself at my Art Gallery. This my favourite wall from the show, where I created a collage mural + layered a mirror on top.”

Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) which is very dark. The only things lit up are the corner shop signs

“Thursday night coming home from my Kingdom Hall (place of worship) and going to the corner shop to buy chocolate.”

Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of four books, [The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Their eyes were watching god by Zora Neale Hurston and a book by Sylvia Plath, The title of the book isn't shown]

“My 4 favourite books”

Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her headphones a bottle of water and her phone.

“My 3 essentials when working out at the gym, water, phone & headphones.”

Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a boat ticket shop next the harbourside with apartments in the background.

“Strolling along the harbourside to visit my favourite art gallery, the Arnolfini.”

Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of shop shelves with hair products

“Buying hair products in Black hair shop Cosmetics Republic”

Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her taking a picture of herself in the mirror with a collage surrounding it. There are photographs, drawings and book covers.
Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) which is very dark. The only things lit up are the corner shop signs
Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of four books, [The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Their eyes were watching god by Zora Neale Hurston and a book by Sylvia Plath, The title of the book isn't shown]
Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of her headphones a bottle of water and her phone.
Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of a boat ticket shop next the harbourside with apartments in the background.
Abbi's photograph (for the 21st Century Kids) of shop shelves with hair products

Thanks

Thanks to all the amazing people young and old who were involved in this project.
Thanks also to our partners: Creative Youth Network, Docklands Youth, Clifton High,
St Brendan’s College, Oasis Brightstowe, SGS College, City of Bristol College,
Freedom Youth, Youth Moves, Somali Young Women’s Group, Babbasa,
South Bristol Youth, Bristol Museums Young Collective.

Thanks to Bristol Museums Development Trust for their generous contributions.