Month: February 2019

1997. Lower Ashley Road (1)

Yum yum, a lovely fresh hoarding went up a couple of weeks back in Lower Ashley Road and within a flash a whole bunch of writers were on it. They must have been disturbed though, because as soon as the outlines for their pieces gone up, the were apparently abandoned, unfinished. Glad to say though that they went back at a later date and completed their work. Hurrah!

Smak, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019
Smak, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019

This cracking piece by Smak is a very clever bit of graffiti writing. On Instagram he said it was two for the price of one, and you can see why. If you look carefully, he has written SMAK twice, with the letters from each word intertwining with the other. A masterful piece of work and one that really demonstrates just how good Smak is. Love this and the persistent ‘never say die’ attitude that goes with it. Looking forward to these boards becoming a new street art/graffiti art spot for at least a while.

Silence

 

City without cars

benefit of pitching snow

everything is calm.

 

by Scooj

 

  • Bristol rarely gets snow, so this event is noteworthy, it is also worth highlighting that Bristolians have their own word for ‘settling’ (of snow) which is ‘pitching’ so I have used it in this haiku. Walking to work was a pleasure this morning on two counts, firstly the sheer beauty of seeing the world through a different lens and secondly the almost complete absence of cars. It set me thinking how beautiful the world would be with fewer cars on the road, they are a convenient nuisance.

1996. St Werburghs tunnel (60)

These two have collaborated a few times before and it is always a treat when they do. Somehow the styles of Tasha Bee and Mr Draws complement each other so well. Perhaps it is their love of lots of colour or their soft designs – I don’t know, but they work well together, and both such nice people too.

Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019

There is something rather happy about Tasha Bee’s face, perhaps the hint of a smile…an enigmatic smile maybe? This is great to see, as some of her faces seem quite serene or sad even. Not this one. Maybe my eye is distracted a little by the big grin of a Fiva piece which they have painted over.

Mr Draws, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019
Mr Draws, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019

I have said it countless times before, but I make no bones about saying it again, I will never tire of Mr Draw’s work and his relentless productivity. Even when he’s not spraying walls, he is always working on sketches or paintings. The including of an uncertain smilie adds to the charm of this piece. A lovely collaboration.

1995. St Werburghs tunnel (59)

I am really interested in the evolution of Decay’s work, which seems to have been a focus for him since the beginning of the year. I am used to seeing his trademark black, white, grey and red pieces with concentric layers emanating from the centre. More recently he has been playing with a larger range of colours and trying new ideas. We still get to keep the little character though.

Decay, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019
Decay, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019

I really like this even if it takes a little getting used to, and if you haven’t yet worked it out, it is a piece of writing that clearly spells out DECAY once you get your eye in. Really looking forward to seeing more of this from Decay, and hoping to catch up with him again, it has been a long time since we last met.