6634. St Werburghs tunnel (469)

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2024
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2024

I believe that this piece by Mr Klue was painted at breakneck speed. On the day it was painted, I checked out the wall around lunchtime, and there was nothing there. Paul H visited the spot a while later and the piece was completed. This is my account of events… of course I might have had a ‘moment’, or a blind spot and walked past the piece without noticing it, but I simply don’t think that happened. Anyhow, all’s well that ends well, and I managed to snap it up as if it were new, eventually.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2024
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2024

2024 was a stand-out year for Mr Klue, and what a way to round-off the year with this fine abstract writing piece set on a festive gold background. The letters spell KLUE, and are more defined here than in some of his more ephemeral pieces. The orange and turquoise work well together and are augmented with splashes of lime green and purple. A fine piece. I am looking forward to another great year from Mr Klue in 2025

6633. M32 roundabout J3 (647)

Zake, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2024
Zake, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2024

This cartoon portrait piece by Zake embraces the spirit of Christmas in the subtlest way, with a tiny little Father Christmas hat jauntily perched on the character’s head. It was painted as the central part of a PWA Christmas celebration triptych, sandwiched between Face 1st and Soap.

Zake, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2024
Zake, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2024

As ever, Zake has achieved an incredible 3D effect in this piece using his well-practised skill of using light and shade, and in this example, using different colours to achieve these contrasts. As a result, the face pops out from the wall in an incredible way. I am really pleased that the PWA crew took the time to spread a little joy this Christmas.

6632. Coach and Horses.

Sled One, Coach and Horses, Bristol, December 2024
Sled One, Coach and Horses, Bristol, December 2024

I tend to be very slow off the mark photographing new pieces on this wall of the Coach and Horses pub, but feel that I can take my time to visit, when I happen to be passing because the wall has a very slow turnover and is rarely tagged. I managed to find myself over in the area, after visiting the recycling centre and took the opportunity to check out the fabulous pieces making up the collaboration. This first piece is by Sled One.

Sled One, Coach and Horses, Bristol, December 2024
Sled One, Coach and Horses, Bristol, December 2024

Sled One has always had a rather surreal take on his characters and scenes, but what makes them so special is his incredible talent with the spray can. One is simply left with the lingering question… how does he do that? The piece, called ‘Shit TV’, features a fly, sitting on a turd, watching TV with a pair of 3D secs on and eating popcorn and drinking a milkshake. It doesn’t get much weirder or obscure than this, but Sled One thinks of these things and brings them to life in a remarkable way. Brilliant work from a brilliant artist.

6631. Hornsey Road, North London

Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

The road tunnel under the railway on Hornsey Road has become a gallery for the work of Northbanksy and his tribute portraits to a plethora of Arsenal players past and present, and here are a couple more of his stencil-style pieces.

Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

Thounsands of Arsenal fans shuffle along the pavement on match days and stop to admire and enjoy these, if I am perfectly honest, quite crude pieces. The portrait of Ian Wright is a particular favourite, as he embodies the spirit of Arsenal, and his love for the club is so infectious. This piece is also the only one in the tunnel that includes any colour, so it stands out.

Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024
Northbanksy, Hornsey Road, North London, December 2024

The portrait of Mohamed Elneny, until recently a loyal and long-serving Arsenal player, reminds us of the good natured and team player, who although not the best footballer in the world, did a magnificent job for the club over many years. I absolutely love this gallery by Northbanksy… more to come.