Author: scooj

I am Stephen. I live in Bristol, UK. I decided to shorten my profile...to this: Wildlife, haiku, travel, streetart, psychogeography and my family. Not necessarily in that order.

3100. M32 roundabout J3 (243)

Taboo clearly has a great sense of fun which really comes out in his work. He is an unconventional graffiti writer using large curvy and often erratic lettering that appears to be being used by a number of ‘new school’ artists in Bristol.

Taboo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2020
Taboo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2020

Taboo has incorporated a policeman, looking very much like an American cop, chasing after a smiley face that is scuttling away to the left of the piece. Although his work sometimes looks a bit ragged, I consider Taboo to be a talented street artist who is pushing the boundaries of convention.

Taboo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2020
Taboo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2020

The workmanship of the cop character is skilfully done and almost feels slightly underplayed and modest. On its own it would stand up as a fine piece of work. Looking forward to seeing where Taboo will take us next.

3099. M32 roundabout J3 (242)

Having not really noticed work by Pl8o before lock down, I now seem to see his work wherever I look. This is a rather nice one in a well selected colour scheme down on the M32 roundabout.

Pl8o, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2020
Pl8o, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2020

Although this piece wasn’t part of the outstanding paint jam that included Inkie, Tizer, Rusk, Minto, Hemper and Soker, it was just a little bit further along the wall and was in great company. With a few more years hard graft, I can easily see Pl8o painting comfortably alongside such artists.

Committee

.

Difficult meeting

divided opinion

I shouldn’t sweat it

by Scooj

3098. Purdown HAA Battery (6)

Well hello boys! Daz Cat has done himself proud with this new sassy female cat up at Purdown Battery. It is really clever how by changing a few features slightly, the gender of the cat can be changed. I guess it is mostly in the eyes and mouth that male becomes female or vice verse.

Daz Cat, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020
Daz Cat, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020

In an Instagram post Daz Cat said that there will be more girl cats coming soon. I am thoroughly looking forward to that. I have a few more cats from the artist yet to post, so watch this space.

3097. Dean Lane skate park (336)

Well this is just brilliant. A really clever and really well crafted piece from Laic217 who, it has to be said, has been on fire since the lock down restrictions were eased. A skeleton character taking a photograph of a piece by Laic217. It reminds me a little bit of me, although I carry a little more weight than this character.

Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2020
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2020

The whole thing has been painted in a spectrum of shades of black, grey and white apart, that is, from the red camera strap bearing the name Laic217. This is a work of an artist really enjoying his craft and employing his creativity with freedom. On of my favourite Laic217 pieces to date.

First world problems

.

House keys left in car

car left half a mile away

absent mindedness

.

by Scooj

3096. North Street

I think that this is the largest mural I have seen from Bex Glover, and it is an absolute beauty. The recently completed piece is in good company, being adjacent to large works by Gemma Compton and Zoe Power.

Bex Glover, North Street, Bristol, July 2020
Bex Glover, North Street, Bristol, July 2020

Two foxes tail to tail and nose to nose are the centrepiece of this typically ornate piece from Bex Glover, all set on a dark turquoise background. There is a symmetry to the piece that is interrupted only by a few subtle differences. There is a small quote at the bottom of the piece that reads ‘stronger together’, a narrative that has run through the coronavirus epidemic and the black lives matter movement.

Bex Glover, North Street, Bristol, July 2020
Bex Glover, North Street, Bristol, July 2020

The foxes, such an iconic symbol of Bristol, represent the togetherness talked about and convey a positive message. This is a lovely new piece from Bex Glover.

 

3095. Purdown HAA Battery (5)

Playful as ever, John D’oh gives us this topical and relevant political piece featuring none other than our dismal ‘leader’ pushing the ‘back to work’ messaging with a little reference to Dick Turpin and his fellow outlaws. Such is the speed of current coronavirus events, and the ineptitude of our administration, that this recent piece is almost out of date as Boris seems to be preparing the nation for a second lock down.

John D'oh, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020
John D’oh, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020

I am always amazed at how quickly John D’oh manages to conceive, create and spray his pieces. He is a modern chronicler of political events and his vehicle is street art. I like this piece, and there is more to come from JD’s visit to Purdown Battery soon.

The visit

.

Day trip without hugs

two families reunite

this crazy new world

.

by Scooj

3094. St Werburghs tunnel (176)

I got lucky taking the dog for a walk a few days ago because I just caught Ryder as he was putting the final touches on this wonderful piece of graffiti writing. In the car opposite was T-Rex and their new baby… they start them young in the graffiti way in Bristol. He stopped for a chat and it was really nice to catch up – I always feel rather surprised and touched when these guys remember who I am, but I remind myself that they are all really decent folk.

Ryder, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2020
Ryder, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2020

The piece itself is a big bold chrome on pink piece of writing and is shit hot in my view. Proper writing from a proper writer painted with confidence and class. It was this piece that prompted me to publish a gallery of his work last week. Keep ‘em coming.