Month: August 2019

2383. Dean Lane skate park (238)

It would seem that Rezwonk and Decay are inseparable at the moment, they are churning out so many exciting and vibrant collaborations this summer. Some of these display a common theme used by both artists or some like this, one present two very different pieces side by side.

Rezwonk, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2019
Rezwonk, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2019

On the left is a colourful Rezwonk piece of writing, that is reasonably simple in concept – different coloured letters with melting drips, but complex in its execution. How on earth would you start such a piece? I’m not entirely sure the white ‘dusting’ works though, if anything it looks like someone has tried to obscure the piece… it might have been better without.

Decay, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2019
Decay, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2019

Then on the right is the Decay piece which shares only drippiness with Rezwonk’s. In all other aspects the writing and colour selection could hardly be more different. It is rermarkable to think how much Decay’s work has come on over the last twelve months or so. Perhaps a quick squint at his updated gallery will give you some idea of the progress made.

 

 

2382. St Werburghs tunnel (92)

Fiver or Fiva, consistently turns out highly distinctive burners, each with its own twist or story. Most of his work features the word FIVA or FIVER, often accompanied by a character, or given an interesting fill or sometimes both. In this piece Fiva has chosen to go for a silhouetted cityscape skyline running through his letters.

Fiva, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2019
Fiva, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2019

I have tried to write one of my own letters (teaching myself to spraypaint (with limited success)), the letter H in his style and it really isn’t as easy as it looks once it is up on a wall. Of course practice makes perfect, and Fiva has been doing these for some years. In addition to creating these fine pieces, I love the way that he has a little shout out to people, nothing over the top, just a simple ‘Yo xxxxxx’ in this case Desmond was feeling the love.

Scooj, H in the style of Fiva, Bristol, June 2019
Scooj, H in the style of Fiva, Bristol, June 2019

2381. Greville Road (9)

Another wonderful piece painted as part of the Upfest Summer Editions celebrations outside the Hen and Chickens. This one is by Upfest stalwart Karl Read. The very large stencil is beautifully proportioned to fit this space and has a serene look about it.

Karl Read, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019
Karl Read, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019

The stencil is interesting because it has some simplicity to it, with large areas of single colours, but also in other parts it has complexity. I have seen Karl Read at work before and he uses large sheets of paper for his stencils that look quite unwieldy, but somehow he makes it all work.

Karl Read, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019
Karl Read, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019

The jewel in the crown of the piece is the girl’s hair which, if you look closely, is in the style of a Hokusai wave. The result is most effective, and the whole piece a triumph. Karl Read has absolutely nailed this blend of simplicity and complexity. I fully expect him to return for Upfest 2020.

Context

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Fearsome predator

adept at riding currents

helpless on the beach

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by Scooj

2380. M32 roundabout J3 (159)

This is yet another piece that I had to visit more than once to get a half-decent shot of it because the first time it was hiding under dappled shade and was partially obscured – one of the hazards of summer time. If I were even more nerdy than I am, I’d probably make note of the best time of day to visit each graffiti spot, but frankly I can’t be bothered and don’t really have the luxury of choosing when to go out ‘hunting’ in any case.

Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019

The piece is a nicely crafted ASK by Sled One, with just a hint of a menacing eye in the middle of the A. I imagine Sled One just rolled up and painted this without a plan or draft, a gift that he posesses and is a rare thing indeed. Nice clean lines, great colours and imaginative and creative fills and shapes. Even a quick piece like this oozes class.

2379. North Street Standard (2)

There are many hazards and obstacles to taking street art picures. This was in fact the second visit I had made to photograph this lovely eye by My Dog Sighs (his second Summer Editions piece for Upfest). On the first visit, there was a shadow cast right across the middle of the piece, and in this one I managed to capture a customer at the North Street Standard, and being alone he obviously had to be texting someone to give the illusion that he wasn’t in fact alone… but he was, so there.

My Dog Sighs, North Street, Bristol, July 2019
My Dog Sighs, North Street, Bristol, July 2019

The eye is everything you might expect from My Dog Sighs, and is beautifully presented. It would be easy to fall in to the trap of saying that he is a one-trick pony and indeed I know some people who think that, I happen to disagree with that particular assertion. He has certainly nailed his technique for painting eyes, but it doesn’t stop there, he still works on the background and the silhouette in the eye and creates an atmosphere or story individual to each piece. Here he has used some stencils with Japanese characters falling like a digital rain around the eye.

You might spot a slight ‘blemish’ on the eye which is caused by a little vent pipe in the wall – My Dog Sighs has concealed it brilliantly. Well done Upfest for organising yet another triumphant Summer Editions piece.

Kick-off

 

Another season

highs and lows, disappointment,

ecstasy; football

 

by Scooj

2378. St Werburghs tunnel (91)

I really do wish that Kleiner Shames had never left Bristol for the lure of London, but I suppose that is where the work and opportunities are. However, it is so good that roughly two or three times a year he returns to Bristol and leaves one of his distinctive pieces as a gift to all of us that admire his work.

Kleiner Shames, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2019
Kleiner Shames, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2019

Although taking pictures in St Werburghs tunnel is a nightmare, some pieces transcend the quality of the picture, and this in my view is one of those. The letters spell out FOIS (time in French), and for a long time I thought that was the name of the artist. I don’t remember how I met him, or discovered his name, but I do remember buying a couple of pieces of art from him when he was clearing out his studio to move to London, and they are treasured possessions indeed. Come back soon.

2377. Greville Road (8)

Some pieces are good, others, very good, and just ocassionally you get lucky enough to see something outstanding. This stunning piece ‘self-portrait 2019’ is by Irony and has been 10 years in the making, after he created his first screen print in 2009 with a version of this work.

Irony, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019
Irony, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019

I managed to have a quick chat with Irony as he was painting it, but at the time I didn’t know who he was, nor did I recognise his style (obviously not from round these parts). I asked him who he was, but he said I’d have to wait until he’d finished before he would reveal who he was. Fair do’s I suppose, although perhaps I should have been a little more attentive to the line ups for Upfest’s Summer Editions, which might have given me a clue.

Irony, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019
Irony, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019

The concept of a piece of art creating itself is a tried and tested theme, but rarely is it executed with such passion, skill and emotion. This piece is awe-inspiring and would sit comfortably in the company of any of the great Italian renaissance artists. I can imagine this piece adorning the wall of a side chapel of any of the great Italian cathedrals (although I think the Catholic church might have a word or to to say about that).

Irony, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019
Irony, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019

This is not my favourite wall to photograph, because there is a wide expanse of white light behind it. If I were a proper photographer I would be able to accommodate for that, but I am just a ‘point and shooter’.

Irony, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019
Irony, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2019

The closer you get to this picture, the more beautiful the angel becomes. It really is quite incredible that such a fine piece can be created with spray cans. If I could be just one tenth as good as this, I would be happy. Many years of hard graft and study ahead of me, but I fear I lack the raw talent bit that Irony has in spades. A brilliant piece, worth a trip to see it.

Free

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Old, rolled musty rug

finally liberated

from storage and string

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by Scooj