Art aims to unite young teenagers

The artwork will be on show at the Art Gym in Hengrove

The medium of art is being used to break down cultural barriers between Bristol teenagers.

Muslim artist Farooq Siddique won money from the Lottery Heritage Fund to set up the project, called Knowing Me, Knowing You.

The scheme aims to integrate Muslim teenagers from Easton with non-Muslims from Knowle West.

The artwork of the local youngsters goes on show at The Art Gym in Hengrove next Monday.

Mr Siddique said he was shocked to find that neither community knew much about the other, despite living close together.

Arsalaan Azad, who took part in the project, said breaking down the barriers was a gradual process.

"When they first met me, they didn't really say much," he said.

"They talked amongst themselves and one of them asked if we were all terrorists."

Fellow artist Gabrielle Rhodes said: "When I first met them, I thought they'd be quiet, keep themselves to themselves, but then after, they were just normal like us."