Love War by Stephen Qucik in Bristol

After the resounding success of my Love War series of paintings, I had a burning desire to expand the concept into something larger—perhaps a mural. But as fate would have it, an opportunity swooped in. The Delamore Estate’s new curator reached out, eager to shake up their annual art show with something bold and unconventional. They gave me the ultimate gift: free rein. Of course, painting directly onto the walls of their historic (and listed!) house was a hard no. So, we dreamed up something even better: a massive art installation. The vision? A bomber plane soaring above the estate, “bombing” it with hearts instead of destruction. It was a playful, poignant twist on love and war that felt perfect for the space. What started as a casual phone call quickly ballooned into a sprawling installation and even a documentary about the process. There were plenty of twists, turns, and laugh-out-loud moments along the way. Let’s just say being hoisted on a cherry picker in pouring rain to install it was an experience I’ll never forget! This project was easily one of the most fun—and challenging—things I’ve ever done. And while I may have been soaked to the bone, the thrill of seeing Love War come to life on such a grand scale made every moment worth it.