Month: June 2019

2249. Dean Lane skate park (215)

Elvs is a fine wildstyle writer from Wales, although I don’t know if he lives in Bristol or in Wales, but he tends to do several pieces every year in the popular Bristol graffiti spots. This is one of at least two pieces he did during May this year (more on his other one soon) and it really shows mastery of his elaborate ‘tag’, which remains broadly similar in shape from wall to wall.

Elvs, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2019
Elvs, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2019

This piece is characteristically clean and sharp, with three lovely horizontal layers of pink acting as a backdrop to the detailing in black that makes this so obviously an Elvs piece. I’m not certain what the Japanese writing says, but I do know that it is in the Katakana form. It might say HiSoKu. I’ve noticed that Elvs quite often has this Japanese influence in his pieces. I’ll have to ask him to elaborate next time I see him.

Seventeen

.

‘L’ plates for the boy

and a Play Station joystick;

man in transition

.

by Scooj

2048. Upfest 2018 (150)

Iain MacArthur is an artist and illustrator based in London who only occasionally paints street art pieces, mostly focussing his efforts on designs for t-shirts and skateboards etc. (so his Upfest biography tells me).

Iain MacArthur, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Iain MacArthur, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This is a really interesting and somewhat challenging piece that shows a cut-away black and white face with a host of colourful strands bursting out like ideas or thoughts. The whole piece has a distinctive illustrative style, and the circles with the little motif inside them are particularly striking. I’d be interested in seeing more from Iain MacArthur.

2047. Upfest 2018 (149)

I love wheatpastes (in case you hadn’t noticed) and at Upfest 2018 we were blessed with a series of poignant and thought provoking stencil paste ups by About Ponny. I was particularly moved by these small scenes, each one depicting the marginalised or forgotten, the vulnerable or neglected.

About Ponny, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
About Ponny, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This one, produced in sepia tones, shows two small children sheltering under a small basket, and has overtones of iconic images from the Vietnam or Cambodian conflicts. There is so much emotion and sadness and pity captured in this image. Really, truly this is an outstanding piece of art.

Pooped

.

It’s a young man’s game

playing five-a-side football

just can’t give it up.

.

by Scooj

2246. Upfest 2018 (148)

Inkie is no stranger to Upfest, nor indeed to the streets of Bristol, and this piece sitting above a burner he turned out in 2017 is a festival classic, and has a strong connection with the piece he did for Upfest 2016 also featuring Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Inkie, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018
Inkie, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018

This piece combines the tools of the trade both for Inkie and for the draftsman and engineer, both local heros in their own field.

Inkie, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018
Inkie, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018

I think that Inkie does a great job for Upfest every year, and isn’t at all shy abut shouting out the Upfest brand at every opportunity.

Inkie, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018
Inkie, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018

From recollection, I think that Inkie didn’t quite manage to finish this wall during the festival, and I had to return some days later to get some pictures of the completed work. Well worth the wait though.

Inkie, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Inkie, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

2245. Upfest 2018 (147)

It seems I am drawn to the amazing work of Bex Glover, having recently shared two new pieces by her in Bristol. This was her Upfest 2018 piece and is neatly tucked away in the Hen and Chicken pub back yard and can still be viewed (having had a reprieve due to the absence of a festival this year).

Bex Glover, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018
Bex Glover, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018

Bex Glover’s elegant style is instantly recognisable and thoroughly accessible. Usually a natural/wildlife theme drawn out with simple clean lines and a colour palette that is so very easy on the eye and consistent between pieces. I am a big fan of her work and this is another example of her enormous talent.

Life is good

On attending a seminar about connecting people with nature…

 

Easy to forget

but nice to be reminded

shared experience.

 

by Scooj

2244. Upfest 2018 (146)

The joy of Upfest is that as a visitor, you are guaranteed to see a huge spectrum of amazing street art, and in my view one of the most inspiring artists in 2018 was Piet Rodriguez. This is the second piece by the artist that I have posted, the first one being on the front of a shop on North Street, next door to the Standard. Unfortunately (for us) the shop has changed hands and has been renovated, which means that the wooden frontage (a yard gate) that boasted Piet Rodriguez’s other work is now freshly painted in gray.

Piet Rodriguez, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018
Piet Rodriguez, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018

His style and content is really interesting, combining a classical representation of sculpture and adding some modern abstract elements to it, not unlike the work of PichiAvo. Brilliant execution and a shining star at Upfest 2018.

Piet Rodriguez, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Piet Rodriguez, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

2243. Upfest 2018 (145)

This is an interesting political piece by Bandito an artist I don’t know anything about but who has recently painted a piece in Bristol that I will have to dig out and post soon.

Bandito, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018
Bandito, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018

The work is a highly unusual one which slams home a message that wars should not be fought over oil. The flags of the USA, UK, Turkey, Israel, France and Iran, would indicate that the tensions lie here. Thought provoking.