Canine: dependent
the feline: indifferent
it’s what defines them.
by Scooj
Month: February 2018
1289. Raleigh Road, vector (21)
Well here we have a fine piece from RAW’s Smak in Raleigh Road. His wildstyle writing realy is out of the top drawer and this work really showcases his skill. set on a blue background, which was probably prepped for this paintjam, his subtle blue lettering is lifted by the yellow and red accents and of course by the cheeky mushroom skull character.
I fear that this set of pieces may be some of the last at this site, which has hosted some remarkable work over the last 18 months or so, but the building work is nearing completion and it will not be long before the hoardings come down. We need some new sites to make up for it.
1288. Allen Street, New York (2)
Allen Street is unofficially known as the ‘avenue of the immigrants’ and this remarkable seven story high piece by Stik represents “A timid giant peering out from behind a column, hoping to make his home in the big new city.” The mural is even more poignant for being very close to the Tenement Museum…so completely recommended if you are spending a few days in New York.
I am a big fan of Stik’s…it is very difficult not to be. The simplicity of his characters hides a deep emotional connection it is possible to have with them. Maybe it is their simplicity that makes them easy to read and empathise with.
Stik began his long and successful journey in a squat in Hackney, London and appears to have a strong connection with those less fortunate in society. He has been consistently telling his wonderful story through his art in cities all over the world. Long may it last. An interesting thing about this piece is that if you look on Google images, you will notice that he started with a white wall, then added the outline, then added the red background. I guess this is what gives the character a brilliant white body.
Crying
Sleet sprinkles my face
the cold flakes melt on warm cheeks;
tears accumulate.
by Scooj
Clearing
Tension in the air
from a misunderstanding
dissipates with time.
by Scooj
1287. Allen Street, New York (1)
I took an awful lot of pictures of the street art in New York, and probably only scratched the surface, but I think that these breaks in my Bristol posts will probably be a regular occurrence for a long while to come.
This is a wonderful collaboration called Rat Boi, by Sheryo and The Yok, which was sprayed in April 2017. It was commissioned by The New Allen, an art foundation created by Baby Brasa and Milan Kelez…I read that bit you know.
I don’t know either of these artists, but this is an eye-catching piece that for me has a retro feel to it, albeit in a contemporary context.
1286. East Village, New York (2)
A second pair of magnificent Phoebe New York wheatpastes from my (not so) recent trip to the Big Apple last November. I have always loved her work ever since I first saw some paste ups in Bristol at Upfest 2016. Seeing them in her native New York is just that bit more thrilling.
The first of these is the largest wheatpaste of Phoebe’s that I have seen to date…pretty much life size and stands in a doorway on a side street. A glamorous look for our Phoebe, with the word ART pasted on in individual letters.
The second piece is one of Phoebe’s more normal miniature-sized pieces, with a vibrant yellow costume and striking hat; so very fashionable. This piece has the words ‘be confident’ emblazoned across it.
It would be fun to know whether Phoebe New York comes up with the phrase first and then creates the piece to reflect it, ot adds the phrase once the artwork is completed. Maybe it is a combination of the two. I enjoyed pointing out these wheatpastes when we were in New York to my daughter who shares the artist’s name.
Thursday doors
Door 17
This is a door designed to keep prying eyes out, rather than to welcome visitors in. It is one of the entrances to the Redcliffe Caves, which form a central part in Bristol’s history as an international trading port.
I, along with many others, believed this cave to be a place where slaves were incarcerated, a folklore of the city which is quite untrue. Rather it was used as a store for merchandise and has in more recent times been used as a waste dump.
The area is steeped in history and above the gate this plaque, donated by the Bristol Civic Society, describes some of the features of Redcliffe. I have to say I find the plaque a little sycophantic and more about past and present businesses than abiout heritage…but maybe that is just me and I think I am being a bit harsh.
Certainly this doorway contains mystery and elicits curiosity.
by Scooj
1285. Dean Lane skate park (107)
I met Rusk the day before he sprayed this magnificent piece in Dean Lane, while he was prepping the wall with black emulsion. We chewed the fat for quite a while, mostly talking about the street art scene in Bristol and some of the things that go on. He told me that he would be spraying the wall with a couple of friends the next day, I think it was a Saturday, and this is the result. I will post the other pieces in time, but felt I should do this one first.
As always with Rusk’s pieces, a lot of care and thought has been put into this. It has lovely clean lines and the gradient of colours from top to bottom is skilfully done. Definitely one of my favourite writers in Bristol, and one who makes time to talk about his and other people’s work. A nice piece.
1284. Jubilee Street (5)
I don’t get over to Jubilee Street all that often, but managed to get there recently whilst shopping for a chandelier in Gardener Haskins, a nearby and completely bonkers department store.
This is a super piece by Soker that sits in a bit of a backwater and probably doesn’t get seen all that much, apart from by the children in the adjacent school. The walls here are very much dominated by ASK members, in particular Deamze, and tend to remain unchanged for long periods of time. Visiting only occasuionally doesn’t seem to matter too much in this spot.
Natural adventures 