This is one of the most incredible stencils I saw at Upfest this year. It is by p0g0, a French artist now living in Southampton. I watched him putting the final touches to this work, but would have loved to seen the early layering of the stencil.
P0g0, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
The skill of the artist has turned the relatively mundane subject matter into something really special. The piece is called ‘Dirty Converse’.
P0g0, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
It is no surprise to learn from his short bio in the Upfest programme that P0g0 was a finalist in the Stencil Art Prize 2015, and winner of the 2015 Stencil Art Awards in Bristol.
On the Saturday of Upfest 2016 I was not sure who the artist was on this wall. He was high up on a scaffold tower, and seemed only to have started his piece.
Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
The wall in Greville Road is one of the least photogenic ‘art walls’ in Bristol. It is high up and surrounded by bright skies with the sun during the day behind the wall and so the face is usually in shade. The previous occupant was a hand by Jody.
Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Even on the Sunday and the Monday the wall was only half done, so I was still in the dark about the artist. I returned a few days after the Festival and the full picture was revealed…a most fantastic work by Cosmo Sarson.
Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
His ‘Breakdancing Jesus’ remains one of the most celebrated pieces in Bristol, and this is equal to it. The colours of this work are wonderful as the figure floats under the multicoloured surface and his half-naked body is reflected in swirls. This really is one of the highlights of the festival and so worth waiting for.
Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
After seeing all of his wonderful wheatpastes in Stokes Croft whilst ‘on tour’ in the UK, it was a real treat to find this fabulous Tian work at Upfest this year. This time his work was not a paste up, but nevertheless unmistakably a Tian piece.
Tian, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
I love his work, and in this piece there is a continuation of his use of sepia tones for the main subject. The whole work shows how accomplished Tian is using different techniques and materials. I am not too sure who is in the picture, but I guess she is famous.
Tian, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
I was rather hoping that while Tian was in Bristol, he might do another series of wheatpastes, but so far I haven’t found anything. I very much look forward to his next visit.
I am a huge fan of China Girl Tile, and was so excited to hear that she would be at Upfest 2016. I had seen lots of her work on social media, but nothing in the flesh, so it was a real treat not only to see her at work, but to be able to say hello and stop for a quick chat.
China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
I caught up with China Girl Tile while she was finishing off her work in the drizzle on the second day of the festival. The wall she was working on is in the back yard of the Hen and Chicken and in really great company (Fake, Cosmo Sarson…and others).
China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
I am glad she chose foxes for this installation, because as many of you may know Bristol is famous for its urban foxes. In fact some research a few years ago showed that the most densely populated group of foxes on record were in and around my allotment. Their numbers fell due to mange and the introduction of wheelie bins with strong lids. I digress. I love foxes.
China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Her reference to the Campbells soup tin is not only witty but is incorporated so very well into the unfolding story.
China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Her work is unusual and refreshing and executed with such skill and dedication. The tiles are really beautiful and enchanting. Please can we get more China Girl Tile work in Bristol.
China Girl Tile, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Natural adventures 