5625. M32 roundabout J3 (521)

This classic burner on the long roundabout wall is one of two recent Mr Riks pieces to appear in Bristol. To the untrained eye, this might look like any other chrome throw up, but have a closer look and there are signs that this piece is by no ordinary artist.

The letters spell out RIKS, with a couple of comedy eyes and fingers at the top of the ‘I’, and there is a little deliberate blurring on some of the edges of the letters. It is the drop shadow, however, that gives this piece away as having been painted by a craftsman. The shadow has a vanishing point somewhere beneath the piece, and its curves perfectly match the curves of the letters. The stripes, which add depth, and orange border are really nice and tight too. The whole thing may appear modest, but is at the same time classy and masterful.