I really hope you don’t get bored with seeing pieces by Face 1st. If you do, then just skip over this one and the next one in about four posts time and so on. You see, I like his work a lot and he manages to hit the streets a lot, which means his work will feature here a lot.
Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
This is an absolute blinder from Face 1st in St Werburghs tunnel and I had to do quite a lot of colour management on my photo editor to bring out the true colours that were swamped with orange light in my originals. Because of this manipulation these pictures can never be a true representation of the piece, so things like this really need to be seen in the flesh. Two faces and lots of adornment…each of the tear-drop things decorated differently, but each given that 3D feel. Lovely piece.
Things have really slowed down at The Bearpit recently and most of the walls are becoming congested with fly posters and tagging. It has got a whole lot worse and more trashy since Bristol City Council came down hard on the street art scene and buffed all the walls – unintended consequences and all that…
DNT, The Bearpit, Bristol, September 2018
In among all the sleezyness is this really classy piece recently sprayed by DNT. It is a floral tribute piece to a friend of his, Derek Williams, who passed away, I guess recently. In a touching Instagram post he says that Derek was one of the first people he met when he arrived in Bristol in 1990 and treated him normally. There is a big back-story there of which we only get a glimpse.
DNT, The Bearpit, Bristol, September 2018
As tributes go, this is a really heartfelt and carefully crafted piece and from the Autumn colours to the whole tone of the piece you can see it is a labour of love. Lovely tribute.
I am used to seeing NEVERGIVEUP’s urban (and occasionally rural) bunnies and his monsters. Less often seen are his wildstyle writings such as this one which he did together with Soge whose piece is just to the right.
NEVERGIVEUP, M32, Bristol, September 2018
The writing says EBOK, and although I don’t know what it means, I seem to recall it isn’t very savoury. It seems to me that spray painting comes so easily to this artist and that every time I have met him he has been very relaxed and calm. Hugely talented and a lot of fun too, he has just started up an Instagram account called ‘followmyrabbits’ in which he is posting rabbits he has left lying around all over the place…and not just in Bristol.
I don’t often post pieces that have been badly dogged but I make an exception with this piece by Stupid Stupid Meathole because I don’t see much of his work about the place and get rather excited when I do see one.
Stupis Stupid Meathole, Fairlawn Road, Bristol, September 2018
I certainly wasn’t looking for this little gem when I found it walking the dog around Montpelier. I think it was painted at the same time as the Tasha Bee piece directly to the right of it. There is always room in my blog for his rather grotesque organic pieces.
Occasionally I manage to come across Fiva’s work – he is not as prolific as many of the Bristol artists, but the quality of his pieces is unquestionable and his style recognisable and attractive. He usually spells out his word in large letters and sometimes, as in this case, fills them with scenes. Often he accompanies the letters with some kind of character – this is a standard format used by many of the graffiti writers here.
Fiva, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
The lighting in St Werburghs tunnel tends to leave pictures looking a bit orange and the contrast rather poor, so this lovely work by Fiva really doesn’t look as good here as it did in the tunnel. The incorporation of a scene in his letters gives a sense of depth and mystery to the piece. fine work from Fiva.
Every now and again I like to treat myself to a nice sandwich or sausage roll at Pinkmans on Park Street for my lunch and it is a real treat, because the prices are what you’d expect from such a highly rated bakery (Sunday Times top 25 bakery in the UK). To get there I can either go up Park Street itself or up the much quieter parallel Hill Street.
Deamze, Hill Street, Bristol, October 2018
Halfway up Hill street, which provides the back entrances for all the retail shops and eateries, is a small car park which is a rather special little street art spot that few people know about. Turnover here is very low indeed and tagging rare. There was a wonderful Kleiner Shames mural here but it has finally given way to this extraordinarily brilliant piece from Deamze. I really like it that Deamze has done a little nod of recognition to the artistry of Kleiner Shames with the inclusion of the word Fois (KS’s wildstyle word).
Deamze, Hill Street, Bristol, October 2018
In this piece Deamze has surrounded his wildstyle writing with a cartoon space scene from Marvin the Martian, and I have to confess to having to look this up because he is not a cartoon character I am familiar with. As one would expect from Deamze, this is a beautifully conceived and executed piece that is most welcome on this special wall. Now onwards to Pinkmans.
In this piece, we have everything that I like about the Bristol street art scene. First, it is a collaboration between Tasha Bee and Soap – firm friends and painting buddies. Second it is bright and vibrant and in a highly stylised form. Third, the location, St Werburghs tunnel is just sooo Bristol.
Tasha Bee and Soap, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
The two characters in the collaboration work so very well together and the colours read-across seamlessly. I am more used to seeing the large mouths that Soap is recognised for, and indeed there is a hint of that on the hat of his character, but it is this wonderfully expressive face that he paints from time to time that I really like. I was so happy to come across this piece, especially as the turnover in the tunnel is particularly high at the moment.
This is just brilliant. It is one of three recent column pieces to go up under the M32 painted by Silent Hobo and I love love love it a lot. There is so much soul in the character and she’s looking at you with those large blue eyes. Many of his characters have their eyes looking down or closed, which is what makes this one stand out.
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018
These column pieces are always quite difficult to photograph, because of the large contrast in light levels and these pictures in no way do the piece justice. For any die-hard hunters, this one is one that must be seen in the flesh.
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018
Silent Hobo has a strongly empathetic view on modern youth and is a fantastic champion for all that keeps out city vibrant. Bravo Hobo – I am in love with this girl..
This amazing church is one of my favourite places in Bristol. Overlooked by many, it is a hidden jewel in the crown of the city, and I am certain most people simply walk past it without a second thought.
The correct name of the church is Church of St John the Baptist, but it derived its nickname from the fact that it was built onto the city wall in the 14th century. The church is long and rather narrow because it was built into the wall and its width dictated somewhat by it. The church is no longer active and is owned and looked after by the Churches conservation trust.
The last remaining gateway in the city of Bristol, Church of St John the Baptist, Bristol
The archway in the middle under the tower and steeple is the last remaining gateway of the old city wall. The two side passageways were added I think in the 19th century and although they look authentic, were not part of the original church. Each of the side tunnels plays host to some murals that could probably do with a bit of a refresh if I am honest. The stairway on the right of the picture is the entrance to the church.
Church of St John the Baptist, nave seen from the organ gallery
Once inside, you take a right turn and are immediately faced with a spectacular nave. On my most recent visit I was told that prior to the Reformation these spotless white walls would have been draped in all manner of artwork and furnishings and the place would have been heaving with atmosphere.
Oops – doors, I almost forgot…
Door on the inside of the city wall, Church of St John the Baptist, BristolDoor on the inside of the city wall, Church of St John the Baptist, Bristol
From the entrance you can continue up into the tower (if you are lucky and the nice steward/warden lets you), rising up a second staircase, slipping to one side of the organ and climbing a further set of stairs, before entering into the bell tower.
Door behind the organ, Church of St John the Baptist, Bristol
One of the amazing features of this church is that some of the little rooms feel like they are exactly as they were forty or fifty years ago…time has stood still – there is something magical about this rather tatty, well-worn place.
Bell tower, Church of St John the Baptist, Bristol
The steward told me that I was welcome to ring some bells if I wanted to, but I bottled it…what if something went wrong?
Staff only door, Church of St John the Baptist, Bristol
There was a lovely slim ‘staff only’ door in the bell tower and I was desperate to take a little look, but again I decided I’d just leave it like it was.
Top end of the nave, Church of St John the Baptist, Bristol
At the ‘business end’ of the church there were two further doorways into a little ante-room where I guess the priest would prepare for his services, remember there are no side rooms in this church, everything lines up with the course of the city wall.
Floor tiles, Church of St John the Baptist, Bristol
Looking down, the tiles are to die for.
View of the nave and organ, Church of SDt John the Baptist, Bristol
Looking back in the other direction you can see the organ gallery and get a different perspective of the nave. Oh yes and there are some more doors…
Door gate to the pulpit, Church of St John the Baptist, BristolDoor, Church of St John the Baptist, BristolDoorway, Church of St John the Baptist, Bristol
Finally I’ll round off this post with a little sign in the church which although very pretty might not be entirely accurate on its dates.
Sign in the Church of St John the Baptist, Bristol
And that’s it for another week – don’t expect anything like this many doors every time!
Natural adventures 