Summary (by AI): Though I struggled to find a strictly "literary" attraction in Bristol, discovering Banksy's clever "The Girl with a Pierced Eardrum" in the old dock area proved to be a highly worthwhile visit with amazing views.
Blog: I know that "literary" usually implies writing books, but while I was researching Bristol, I struggled to find something tied to the city that felt worth a proper visit. Naturally, I thought about how I could wedge Banksy into the mix. Bristol and Banksy are practically synonymous; he is easily one of the city’s most famous sons.
As it turns out, Bristol is home to "The Girl with a Pierced Eardrum." Most people are familiar with the inspiration behind it: Johannes Vermeer’s 17th-century masterpiece, Girl with a Pearl Earring. Often called the "Mona Lisa of the North," Vermeer's original is famous for its incredible use of light and that iconic, shimmering pearl.
Banksy’s version, however, is a bit more industrial. Instead of a priceless gem, he used an octagonal ADT alarm bell already mounted on the wall to create the "earring," which is quite a clever bit of placement.
I did a little looking into the history of the piece and found out that during the COVID-19 lockdowns, some wag came along and added a blue surgical face mask to the girl. Some might argue that’s an act of vandalism, but you could also look at it as a way of keeping the art relevant and current for the times.
And as a note - this is down in the old dock area - definatley work a walk for the amazing views
The Map: