Never in control
a lengthy career careers
driven by others.
by Scooj
Month: August 2018
1685. Upfest 2018 (25)
Bringing a wonderful splash of colour and some real class to Upfest was this fabulous small piece by Emily Donald. Some of you may remember her equally brilliant work from last year’s festival.
This talented artist from Cornwall has made this technique of using rays of light combined with flowers and birds her own. There is a lightness, peacefulness and joy about her work which makes it very easy on the eye. It would be pretty cool to have one of these hanging on the wall at home. Once again some great work from Emily…I hope she is able to return next year.
1684. Upfest 2018 (24)
One of the most striking and interesting collaborations of Upfest 2017 was by Guy Denning and Yatika Fields and it was a real pleasure to be able to welcome Guy Denning back this year, this time painting solo.
The wall developed slowly over the duration of the festival, and it was really interesting to see the layers go up to crate the final piece. I’m not too sure who the lady portrayed is, but I imagine she is an important figure in the world of campaigns and politics.
Guy Denning’s style is crafted from a combination of freestyle portraiture and stencil overlay, which gives it a unique finish. He includes a quote, probably from the subject of the piece, and in this case it says:
’Rise like lions after slumberin unvanquishable number, shake your chains to earth like dew which in sleep have fallen on you, ye are many, they are few.’
A stirring quote indeed. Having done a quick search on the Interweb, I now understand that the quote is from a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley called The Masque of Anarchy, which was written about the Peterloo Massacre of 1819. All great stuff. Now trot along and dig out the poem and read it for yourself, just like I did.
A fine piece indeed.
Old man shuffle
.
Irritating clack
slippers, a size too big, slap
an old man shuffle.
.
by Scooj
1683. Upfest 2018 (23)
Now this charming piece is something rather refreshingly different and eye-catching. It is one of two pieces that I am aware of painted by the London-based artist Vanesa Longchamp at Upfest, the other being a North Street shutter piece (to follow).
It was good to witness this piece taking shape during the festival, although I think that the high winds experienced over the weekend must have made it rather difficult, particularly at the exposed site of Ashton Gate, for the artists.
Vanesa’s simple style betrays some fantastic technique and the shading of the hair and twinkle in the eyes is masterful. I’ve not come across any of herv work before but will be on the look out from now on. Great stuff.
1682. Upfest 2018 (22)
Well several of these beautiful stencils by Kin Dose appeared sometime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, each sprayed on a utility box. This one of a hare I think from recollection is opposite the Louis Masai piece.
I think that this is a very clever stencil, because of the thought that has gone into the background swirls which really help to highlight the subject so well. Kin Dose only occasionally takes to the streets, but when he does he excels every time. A perfect ‘unofficial’ Upfest piece. More to follow.
Perfect day for the cinema
Raining cats and dogs
such miserable weather;
family film time.
by Scooj
1681. Upfest 2018 (21)
To kick of the third set of ten posts from Upfest 2018 is this magnificent piece by the brilliant artist Annatomix. I have seen a few of her pieces and I have to say the more I see of them, the more I like them.
This piece was on a new wall for 2018, which it suited perfectly, in a little garden space behind an arched gateway on North Street. I wrote a haiku about this gateway some time ago.
I managed to have a quick chat with Annatomix during one of the several showers on the Saturday, and I think she was worried about getting behind schedule with the piece. It was such a pity that it rained during Upfest, especially as it was in the middle of a heatwave.
The choice of subject, a kingfisher, and the stunning colours – thanks largely to the kingfisher itself – was absolutely perfect for this space. Her origami style of painting is so clever and really attractive – a kind of abstract take on wildlife.
I think it would be nice to keep this as a permanent wall, but I don’t know it that is likely to happen – best to enjoy it while it is there I guess. Bravo Annatomix – one of the festival highlights.
1680. Dean Lane skate park (155)
Just as Upfest was waking up to the Saturday morning influx of visitors, I took a look in Dean Lane to see what was happening, because it is usually pretty busy down there during the festival. I took shelter from a downpour with a couple of artists who worked on this lose collaboration.
On the left was a half finished piece by Unity, an artist from Cardiff. I very much liked what I saw, but regrettably it had been painted over by the time I came back to see it at the end of the day. I had a great chat with her while we waited for the rain to abate and discovered that I probably have one or two of her older pieces in my archive…time to dig them out.
The middle section was by Rusk who had already finished and left the scene – maybe to work on his ‘official’ piece in South Street park. This quick one was of the high quality you expect from Rusk – he never disappoints.
Finally, on the right of the collaboration was a piece by Cyst, from Cheshire. I was pleased to have been able to meet him, because it can be difficult sometime to identify work from visiting graff writers. All three pieces were very short-lived, but that is what you expect in Dean Lane, especially so during Upfest. Nice collaboration
1679. Stokes Croft
Only a few days ago I posted some work by qWeRT in Cortona, Italy that must have been pasted up some years ago, judging by the shift in style (and also the fact that the Italian pieces were signed QWERTY). This is much more what qWeRT’s stuff looks like at the moment.
I love this particular wheatpaste with our googly eyed hero riding a scooter, and seeming so right for this particular area. The door is really quite a messy scrawl of tags, and indeed I think I must have walked past this piece several times before I actually noticed it…it is fairly well camouflaged. Hurrah for qWeRT coming to Bristol and leaving us these little presents dotted about the place.
Natural adventures 