2018. Lower Ashley Road (2)

Sled One has absolutely smashed it with this extraordinarily brilliant piece of graffiti writing on the new hoardings at the bottom end of Lower Ashley Road. Sadly, the developers have already placed batten squares all over the hoardings in preparation for advertising posters (I guess). How sad that our world is dominated by consumerism and money. These boards were a creative outlet for Bristol street artists to share their art with fellow citizens. Instead, drivers will have to endure seedy adverts desperately thrusting lifestyle aspirations at us in an attempt to sell their grubby products to swell their shareholders wallets. Capitalism is driving everything towards the lowest common denominator of money. No wonder the world is in a mess.

Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019

Back to the art and the joy it can bring to our hearts. Sled One is one of the artists I rate most highly in Bristol and this piece (which spells out SLED) is a fine example of his work. He had to paint this in two sessions as he was ‘moved on’ I think when he was sketching it out. Thank goodness he had the perseverance to come back and finish it off. I hope the artists find a way of keeping these hoardings alive, but I fear it could be difficult.

2017. M32 roundabout J3 (124)

Yet more fantastic abstract work from Mr Klue in the shape of this large wispy piece on the St Werburghs side of the M32 roundabout. There is no other artist I know of producing anything like this, Mr Klue’s style is utterly unique.

Mr Klue, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
Mr Klue, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019

Mr Klue recently posted a couple of pieces (I think it was a studio work) on Instagram which feature a lamppost set in a landscape of swirls – truly awesome work and worth a look. I will never tire of his work, and am glad that he has rediscovered his mojo and is out there being creative and brilliant.

Twitter

 

Appropriation.

Beautiful winter birdsong

captured by the net.

 

by Scooj

 

2016. M32 roundabout J3 (123)

Oner has been very, very busy lately and this was a quick one he sprayed a week or so ago on the M32 roundabout. I actually caught up with him just as he was finishing off and he made time for a good chat, although I know that many graffiti writers like to just get on with their work uninterrupted.

Oner, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
Oner, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019

We talked a little about how he likes to work alone, which I can see is a real benefit if you want to have flexibility and spontineity. This is a nice piece with good colour selection and great letters. I love the drips on the ‘e’ and the bleed onto the pavement. Many more to come from this prolific writer.

2015. St Werburghs tunnel (62)

A new week, and to celebrate I am introducing you to an artist to the pages of Natural Adventures, Atchue. Although I have seen some of his pieces before, I have not known who the artist was until recently. The good news is that I have some of his work in my archives and I can dig it out when I do some of my ‘housekeeping’.

Atchue, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019
Atchue, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019

His work tends to be big, pink and bold and cartoon in style. This face reminds me of the artwork you used to see in comics like the Beano, Beezer and Dandy. The little quote on the side seems to reflect the thoughts of this marginally grotesque character…”Boobs covered in Angel Delight, yum yum”.

There is something endearing about this gurning character, and certainly it is eye-catching. Nice one to start off with.

Yaffle

 

Am I mistaken?

I think I heard the call of

a green woodpecker.

 

by Scooj

2014. The Bearpit (173)

It has become a rare thing indeed to find much new work in The Bearpit, which is why finding this lovely piece by Skor85 was such a nice surprise. I’m afraid the quote is a little lost on me, but it feels like there is an interesting story behind this piece.

Skip forward about fifteen minutes and I have found some stuff on the Interweb that probably explains the background to the piece, and it would seem to be linked to an art project by Pierre Huyghe and Philippe Parreno.

Skor85, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2019
Skor85, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2019

I am pleased that I had spotted a Manga connection and was going to comment on it, but feel a little fraudulent writing about it, knowing that I have been able to confirm my hunch subsequently. I love Skor85’s work which nearly always has a dream like narrative to it. It has been a long time since I have seen anything by her.

 

 

2013. Dean Lane skate park (189)

Back to home soil now and the warm and familiar sight of a Dean Lane piece by Laic217. This is the second recent piece that I have seen where he has been playing with these red eyes which are slightly disconcerting in their non-human (robotic) quality.

Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2019

There is a slight shift in style too in this overall piece. To me it has a water-colour kind of quality and looks like it has been lifted from an artist’s sketchbook. This feels like Laic217 is moving on to a new level, where his confidence and competence is allowing him to experiment more.

Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2019

I believe he was supposed to be painting this wall with Cort and Cros, but had arrived long before the others and had pretty much finished before they arrived. This is a pity, because it is a long time since I last met this elusive artist.

 

 

Wet walk

 

At my feet he lies

wet dog smell filling the air

I’ll light a nice fire.

 

by Scooj

Tasha Bee

Keeping it colourful with this gallery of beautiful faces by Bristol artist Tasha Bee.

All photographs taken by Scooj

Tasha Bee, Brunel Way bridge, Bristol, October 2019
Tasha Bee, Brunel Way bridge, Bristol, October 2019

 

Tasha Bee, Star and Garter, Bristol, November 2018
Tasha Bee, Star and Garter, Bristol, November 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2019
Tasha Bee, Purdown Battery, Bristol, January 2020
Tasha Bee, Purdown Battery, Bristol, January 2020
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2019
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2019
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2019
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2019
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2019
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2019
Tasha Bee, St George, Bristol, August 2019
Tasha Bee, St George, Bristol, August 2019
Tasha Bee, New Stadium Road, Bristol, August 2019
Tasha Bee, New Stadium Road, Bristol, August 2019
Conrico and Tasha Bee, New Stadium Road, Bristol, July 2019
Conrico and Tasha Bee, New Stadium Road, Bristol, July 2019
Tasha Bee, New Stadium Road, Bristol, July 2019
Tasha Bee, New Stadium Road, Bristol, July 2019
Face 1st and Tasha Bee, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2019
Face 1st and Tasha Bee, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2019
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2019
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2019
Tasha Bee, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, February 2019
Tasha Bee, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, February 2019
Tasha Bee, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2019
Tasha Bee, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2019
Tasha Bee and Face 1st, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, February 2019
Tasha Bee and Face 1st, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, February 2019
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019
Soap and Tasha Bee, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Soap and Tasha Bee, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Tasha Bee, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Tasha Bee, Stokes Croft, Bristol, January 2019
Tasha Bee, M32, Bristol, January 2019
Tasha Bee, M32, Bristol, January 2019
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2018
Tasha Bee and Soap, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2018
Tasha Bee and Soap, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2018
Tasha Bee, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018
Tasha Bee, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018
Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Tasha Bee and Soap, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Tasha Bee and Soap, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Tasha Bee, Fairlawn Road, Bristol, September 2018
Tasha Bee, Fairlawn Road, Bristol, September 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2018
Mr Draws and Tasha Bee, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2018
Mr Draws and Tasha Bee, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2018
Mr Draws and Tasha Bee, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2018
Mr Draws and Tasha Bee, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2018
Soap, Tasha Bee and Face F1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018
Soap, Tasha Bee and Face F1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018
Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2018
Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2018
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2018
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Face 1st and Tasha Bee, Brunel Way bridge, Bristol, June 2018
Face 1st and Tasha Bee, Brunel Way bridge, Bristol, June 2018
Tasha Bee, The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2018
Tasha Bee, The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2018
Hazard, St Werburghs tunnel, Bristol, January 2018
Hazard, St Werburghs tunnel, Bristol, January 2018