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.

1896. Franklyn Lane (1)

There is a reward for those who wander. I took a little walk in St Pauls a short while ago and went down a back street I’ve never been down before and there on an old derelict building I found this interesting piece on dit of board covering a door.

Aicha, Franklyn Lane, Bristol, November 2018
Aicha, Franklyn Lane, Bristol, November 2018

The drawn sketch, which I assume is by Aicha, is an unusual find and one that would more likely be found in a studio or gallery. It is also unusual because it has been drawn directly onto the surface, rather than on to a piece of paper and pasted up. I have not heard of Aicha before so can tell you nothing about the artist. I am guessing that I might have seen some tags from this artist before. A fine creative sketch and welcome contribution to the Bristol scene.

1895. The Bearpit (170)

We are lucky in Bristol to have people like Decay who continue to spray down at The Bearpit in spite of a Council determined to clamp down on spraying. Most of the decent work down there is confined to the boards that were put in place by the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC), and this is where most of the recent work is, like this one. All the other walls are regularly buffed (at some expense ) by the Council. The paint doesn’t even get to dry before the taggers move in. It is an insane cycle of self-destruction. I really think that the Council need to devise a better plan. The Bearpit has the opportunity to become the best legal wall in Britain if they just try to think outside the box.

Decay, The Bearpit, Bristol, November 2018
Decay, The Bearpit, Bristol, November 2018

This Decay piece was a nice surprise for me as I rarely expect to find much down in The Bearpit these days. Great letters (DK) and for good measure two of his little character faces. Unfortunately there is a small poster slapped right in the middle – I guess it’s all part of the furniture.

1894. Dean Lane skate park (178)

I have not been able to get out and about much recently so I think I might have missed quite a lot of street art that has since been overwritten. I was lucky enough to have found this little lion playing the high hats by Roo.

Roo, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2018
Roo, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2018

Roo, I think, is a London-based artist who I know often paints with SkyHigh. When I see this, I wonder whether I might have missed something from SkyHigh or whether Roo just happened to be travelling in Bristol solo. Whatever, this is a rather tidy souvenir from his visit.

Three’s company

.

Dawn squirrels frolic

silhouettes against grey skies

in skeleton trees.

.

by Scooj

Naked

 

Not a stitch to wear

nor anyone to love me;

injured and damaged.

 

by Scooj

1893. M32 Spot (35)

Back home to Bristol and yet another rather charming column piece by Silent Hobo at the M32 Spot. As I have said before, Silent Hobo has a knack for capturing the mood of youth culture, and gives his characters a soulful poise.

Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018

The girl with the microphone and ‘BOOM’ written on her bottom is wonderfully crafted by one of Bristol’s most established character artists. It is always a pleasure to see his work.

You might also have noticed a rather nice Deamze piece lurking in the background.

1892. Shoreditch, London (10)

In a little side street/yard off Brick Lane there is a derelict area which is a bit of a street art oasis. On the passageway into the area is this magnificent piece by Envol, which is quite different from anything else there.

Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018
Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018

I have come across Envol a couple of times at Upfest in Bristol, so it was great to see something by him outside of the festival context. His highly designed ‘classical’ pieces are simply presented but nicely framed with strong shapes and colours.

Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018
Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018

When I first saw this piece I thought it had been dogged at the base of the skull, but on closer inspection and a quick squint at the Artist’s Instagram it seems that this is a deliberate technique that he adopts from time to time. It is a good feeling once again to stumble upon art in unfamiliar surroundings that I am familiar with.

1891. Shoreditch, London (9)

I really did get lucky on my recent trip to Shoreditch with fresh pieces, and this is a lovely new one from Osch. The artist is known for two main presentations of his art, this theme of orange circles with silhouetted scenes, usually with a clever take, and his characters (often animals) created from ribbons (not real ribbons you understand).

Osch, Shoreditch, London, November 2018
Osch, Shoreditch, London, November 2018

In this piece it seems the crows are having some kind of revenge moment as a drone is contained within a cage. This is a thoughtful and distinctive piece and so wonderfully crisp, sharp and fresh. I love his work…I think he needs to come to Bristol again.

Osch, the Stables, Camden Town, September 2016
Osch, the Stables, Camden Town, September 2016
Osch, Hawley Street, Camden, September 2016
Osch, Hawley Street, Camden, September 2016

 

1890. Shoreditch, London (8)

One of the things I love most about seeing street art in other cities is when I see a piece by an I am familiar with – it gives me that warm glow of conceit, and so it was when I saw this lovely burner by Bristol’s Voyder.

Voyder, Shoreditch, London, November 2018
Voyder, Shoreditch, London, November 2018

The last piece I saw by Voyder was at Upfest back in July, so to find this one in Shoreditch was definitely a special moment. This is such a clever piece, I cannot really do it justice in any explanation, but I will try. Everything you see is utterly deliberate – the blurring of the letters and the drips and splashes, what makes this extra special is how Voyder has created this with extreme skill in blending the colours through the piece and making the whole thing look a bit amateurish. To the trained eye, this is utterly brilliant, to others it might just look a bit rubbish.

Longing

 

I long for the spring

the lengthening of the days

and the warming sun.

 

by Scooj