1994. Upfest 2018 (130)

You can always be sure that you’re going to get something pretty fun from Angus, and at Upfest 2018 he was playing around with a fusion of mosaics incorporating film/TV characters in a Banksy setting. Clever and engaging stuff.

Angus, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Angus, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

In this piece, which must have taken days of preparation, Angus presents us with robots (in the place of chimps) from Star Wars, Futurama, Wall-E and one other that I can’t identify and the immortal words ‘laugh now but one day we’ll be in charge’. I rather hope that Banksy approves of this updated variant on his idea…another one made in Bristol.

Angus, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Angus, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

In terms of scale, Bender, the Futurama robot on the right was about human size – this mosaic was no small undertaking, and this was just one of three (or more?) that Angus worked on at Upfest. Hats off to his lateral thinking and endeavour…a great piece.

1993. Upfest 2018 (129)

Well this is an absolutely extraordinary and highly unusual portrait piece by Bristol-based artist Lee Ellis. I have not seen any of his work before, but that is because I think he is primarily a studio artist and not a street artist.

Lee Ellis, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Lee Ellis, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I took a look at his work on the Interweb and he has this incredible style that has a touch of menace and darkness about it, but also manages to convey emotions and passion in the subjects. It would be interesting to see what he could do with a proper outdoors wall. Striking work.

Thursday doors

Doors 59

This week I thought I’d share a few of the doors I encounter every time I walk to work, with one or two that are set back a little from my main route. Most are from Stokes Croft, arguably the most ‘colourful’ stretch of road in Bristol (which is some achievement let me tell you).

The first two doors are neighbours, one maintained rather better than the other. It is the awnings over these doors that I love, and which are so typical of some of the older houses in Bristol, although many no longer exist at all…War effort?

Door, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Door, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Door, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Door, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019

The next three doors are typical of the heavy tagging that goes on in this district. Nearly all of the housing in the area is rented accommodation, and landlords seem to be resigned to the futility of removing the tagging and graffiti – it is an accepted norm here. Having said that, I noticed this week that a couple of buildings have had a makeover and the walls and doors are all freshly painted…a blank canvass?

Door, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Door, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Door, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Door, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Door, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Door, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019

The last door I have meant to include here before but never had the right story to tell with it. As a small enterprise just off Stokes Croft, it fits the bill nicely and rounds off this week’s doors.

Door, Wilder Street, Bristol, January 2019
Door, Wilder Street, Bristol, January 2019

More next week. Go check out a whole ton more doors at: Thursday Doors – Norm 2.0

by Scooj

 

Sled One

A collection of the most extraordinary character street art and graffiti writing by Bristol artist Sled One.

Instagram: @sledone

All photographs taken by Scooj

Sled One, M32 roundbout, Bristol, August 2023
Sled One, M32 roundbout, Bristol, August 2023
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2023
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2023
3Dom and Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, April 2023
3Dom and Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, April 2023
Sled One, Lighthouse Community Garden, London, April 2023
Sled One, Lighthouse Community Garden, London, April 2023
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2023
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, Elton Street, Bristol, September 2022
Sled One, Elton Street, Bristol, September 2022
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2022
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2022
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2022
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2022
Sepr and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristtol, April 2022
Sepr and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristtol, April 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2022
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2021
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2021
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2021
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2021
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, December 2021, Upfest 21,
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, December 2021, Upfest 21,
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2021
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2021
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2021
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2021
Sled One, St George, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, St George, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2021
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2021
Sled One, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Smak and Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Smak and Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Smak, Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Smak, Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Sled One, John Street, Bristol, September 2020
Sled One, John Street, Bristol, September 2020
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2020
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2020
Tom Miller, Smak and Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Tom Miller, Smak and Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2020
Sled One, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2020
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One and Ments, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One and Ments, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019
3 Dom and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
3 Dom and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2018
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, December 2018
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, December 2018
Sled One, Thomas Street, Bristol, October 2018
Sled One, Thomas Street, Bristol, October 2018
Sled One, Brunel Way Bridge, Bristol, September 2018
Sled One, Brunel Way Bridge, Bristol, September 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One and Smak, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One and Smak, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018
Sled One, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2017
Sled One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One and Epok, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
Sled One and Epok, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
Sled One and Smak, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016
Sled One and Smak, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016
Sled One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, St Werburghs Tunnel, Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, St Werburghs Tunnel, Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2017
Sled One, Magdalene Place, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One, Magdalene Place, Bristol, December 2016
Ments, Sled One, Epok, Peal, Meds, Wilder Street, Bristol, February 2017
Ments, Sled One, Epok, Peal, Meds, Wilder Street, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, September 2016
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, September 2016
SledOne, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
SledOne, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One and Epok, Armada Place, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One and Epok, Armada Place, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, M32, Bristol, July 2016
Sled One, M32, Bristol, July 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, M32 Roundabout,Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, M32 Roundabout,Bristol, June 2016
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, June 2016
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, St Werberghs, Bristol, May 2016
Sled One, St Werberghs, Bristol, May 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, Ashley Road, Bristol, 15 April 2016
Sled One, Ashley Road, Bristol, 15 April 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Sled One, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

1992. Upfest 2018 (128)

On yet another completely new wall for Upfest 2018 was this slightly unusual abstract piece from Rob Wass. You had to keep your eyes peeled for this one due to its location down a side street on the main drag between North Street and Ashton Gate.

Rob Wass, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Rob Wass, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

As yet my mind isn’t fully made up on this one and I really can’t put my finger on my reservation. I think it might have more to do with the aspect of the wall and the pebble dash finish (which must be a nightmare for painters), than it does to do with the piece itself.

Rob Wass, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Rob Wass, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Over the years, Rob Wass has produced some lovely pieces for Upfest and he has become a firm favourite. I imagine that this one will remain in place for a while because of its accessibility.

Rob Wass, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Rob Wass, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

1991. Upfest 2018 (127)

Always, always a firm favourite with me are the pop culture stencils by Stephen Quick, a brilliant Bristol artist and Upfest regular. This piece ‘Can stand up, will stand up’ is one of a series of similar pieces that he has created with this character.

Stephen Quick, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Stephen Quick, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

There are several cultural references in the piece, which include the obvious homage to Star Wars, but also there is the sword of He Man and the bracelet (not in this picture) of Wonder Woman. His style is unique and vibrant, and I always look  forward to a quick annual catch up at Upfest.

1990. Upfest 2018 (126)

One of the more obviously striking and describable pieces of Upfest 2018 was this interesting hand speaker by Agent Provocateur. It is weird but whenever I look at it I find it very hard not to see the Northern Ireland flag, which is rather distracting.

Agent Provocateur, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Agent Provocateur, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This is a simple and quite challenging piece with an element of edge or threat combined with humour and general oddness. I’m not sure why there is so much damage to the right hand side board, but I think the artist could have tidied it up a little bit. Maybe I photographed it before completion. A memorable piece.

1989. Upfest 2018 (125)

Nevla was late to the party at Upfest 2018 and as a result I didn’t manage to get a final picture of his rather cookie panda. On the upside though I did at last get to meet the elusive cartoon king of Bristol street art, and what a nice fellow he is too.

Nevla, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Nevla, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I made a few notes on my iPhone about our conversation, but unfortunately I lost them when the motherboard gave up a few weeks ago. A quiet class act who seems to enjoy painting alone, Nevla adds something to the Bristol scene that is unerringly optimistic, which is a tonic when so much around us is in utter chaos.