Month: September 2021

3950. Purdown HAA Battery (33)

In recent weeks, I have noticed a few of these Smut pieces appearing about the place, of which I think this might have been the first. Smut is obviously not a beginner, the letters are beautifully crafted and the lines crisp and clean, but perhaps is new to Bristol, I don’t know.

Smut, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2021
Smut, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2021

Although quite tricky to photograph, the writing is beautifully presented i9n red and gold, a fine combination. The white accents add a beautiful touch and provide a 3D effect. It looks like they might have been painted with a bit of a mask, because the curves are very neat and tidy.  Nice work from an artist whose Instagram handle is @everybody.loves.smut.

Paradox

.

Liberated, free

but institutionalised

shelter in bondage

.

by Scooj

Crisis, what crisis?

.

Nothing to see here

Ministers in denial

perfect storm gathers

.

by Scooj

3949. Brunel Way (121)

I have had these pictures lurking in my archive for a little while, and at last find a moment to bring them to you. The column piece (they can be a real pain in the backside to photograph) is by Mudra, and is characteristically rather fun.

Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021

Mudra has painted all the way around the column and on one half is a portrait of a white-haired gentleman compete with moustache (of course) and a little speech bubble with Mudra’s @ signature.

Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021

On the other half of the column is a hand holding what looks like a match or a candle, but it might be something altogether different. Mudra has a very strong, chunky style which hits you hard and is difficult to ignore. Head-turning stuff.

3948. Upfest 2021 75×75 (62)

This was perhaps one of the lower-key pieces to be painted for the Upfest 75×75 event, tucked away in the car park of the Tobacco Factory. I don’t think I have come across Kappa V Kappa Art before, but it appears that they are a Bristol-based outfit who describe themselves as chaotic, colourful art. I am not sure of the identity of the artist(s) so have used the ‘they’ pronoun to overcome embarrassment.

Kappa v Kappa Art, the Tobacco Factory, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Kappa v Kappa Art, the Tobacco Factory, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

The piece itself, while certainly colourful, I wouldn’t describe as being chaotic, on the contrary, I think that there is a clear form to this delightful abstract piece, bursting with energy. Really rather nice, and I will be looking out for more work from Kappa v Kappa.

Burnham-on-Sea

.

Sleepy seaside town

a Victorian relic

in summer’s last sun

.

by Scooj

3947. M32 roundabout J3 (348)

What an absolutely fabulous classic from Face 1st. It is pieces like this that first led me to appreciate the work of this rather underrated graffiti artist. Face 1st has been relentless in his pursuit of bringing smiles to people’s faces, and with this blue face girl he succeeds perfectly.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021

The colours used are really attractive and easy on the eye, and the typical smiling girl with the letters FACE for hair is pure Face 1st at his very best. I love this piece to bits.

3946. Sparke Evans Park (9)

I really like Eman’s work, he has real depth to his range of characters and writing and appears to be striving to improve all the time. This complex piece of writing on the long wall at Sparke Evans Park documents well his continuous improvement.

Eman, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2021
Eman, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2021

Spelling out EMAN, this is a smorgasbord of colour lines and shading that is a feast for the eyes. He has been working on this style of writing for a little while, and when you see something like this, you can see that the practice is well worth it.

Genesis

.

In the beginning

was a rock band Genesis

last performances

.

by Scooj

* in Birmingham watching ageing rockers.

3945. M32 roundabout J3 (347)

What a pleasant surprise this little combination was a couple of weeks back on my routine scout around the M32 roundabout. Unannounced and unusual, this pairing of Ra and Vee is both welcome and refreshing. Neither artist has been on my radar before, but since seeing this, I note they have painted more pieces on Bristol and the West.

Ra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021
Ra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021

On the left hand utility box is a piece by Ra, whose name and artwork is obviously influenced by ancient Egyptian culture. The god Ra is normally depicted with the head of a falcon, and is male, so this piece is likely to be someone else. Stunning nonetheless.

Veee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021
Veee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021

The smaller utility box has been painted by Veee, and is a bright and cheerful face. The styles of the artists couldn’t be more different, and next to one another you’d never guess that this was a collaborative paint. It seems that these two routinely paint together. I wonder whether their styles ever meet.