It is very nice to see a character piece from Rusk, and this is a bit of fun constructed around the theme of magic mushrooms. Is that still a thing? I am so old. It is also good to see these boards, which in my view are underused and underrated, getting the treatment from some of the best artists in Bristol.
Rusk, Armada Place, Bristol, February 2020
This piece does its job well: the pun; the psychedelic colour selections and the execution come together to create fabulous whole. It would be great to see more turnover on this wall… especially as it is reasonably quick for me to walk there.
Thank you Banksy for your recent visit to Bristol. I thank you because your piece drew me to an area of Bristol that I have not been to before, which is a bit of a crime for a street art hunter because Barton Hill was where a great many Bristol graffiti artists cut their teeth. Only a matter of a hundred meters or so north of the Banksy Valentine piece is a long wall on the boundary wall of Netham Park where I found this old piece by Andy Council.
Andy Council, Avonvale Road, Bristol, February 2020
The stegasaurus-type dinosaur composed of buildings and trees is typical of the incredible work that Andy Council has become famous for. I can’t believe that I didn’t know about this piece, but that is what makes doing what I do so much fun – surprises lurk around every corner. A very satisfying find on a red-letter day.
Just wow! Another epic collaboration in St Werburghs tunnel, this time from Rezwonk and Nightwayss, featuring Dennis the Menace from the fabulous old comic the Beano. I am guessing that this might have been prompted by the recent Storm Dennis that wrought havoc across the midlands and the rain from which is still causing flooding in Ironbridge, Shrewsbury and Worcester.
Rezwonk and Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
I took a walk with the dog last week to the tunnel and got lucky, because the pair were still hard at work painting this outstanding piece. The dog became a little unsettled when Nightways was jumping up and down rollering his pink border along the top of his piece. The barking was loud and I had to move on, and returned a little while later when he had calmed down. My own Gnasher slightly cramped my style.
Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
It was great to stop and chat with both artists and an additional bonus was that DJ Perks was down there too admiring the work and we were able to catch up too. It seems that I missed Paul H (again) by only a few minutes, but that is how it happens… beig in the right place at the right time.
Rezwonk, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
Both of these pieces are stunning and it was really interesting watching them bring their work to life. I find the whole process of spray painting totally counter-intuitive, and I think I am going to have to put in a whole load more practice this spring and summer. Rezwonk was writing REZER with the fills, which he then put outlines on; in other words did the colouring in before there was anything to colour in (does that make sense?).
I understand that Nightwayss painnted the Dennis and Gnasher characters from pictures on his phone. What a talent to be able to do that. It was great to see some recent work from him as he has been a little dormant on the streets this winter. This NIGHT absolutely makes up for it though.
Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
All in all, this is a spectacular collaboration and lies in the same place where Rezwonk and Decay painted a Dr Seuss Cat in the Hat scene last year. Keep it going folks… even with the difficuly light conditions this is a fabulous wall.
Rezwonk and Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
I am not too sure how old this one from Soap is because I haven’t been to this spot for quite a few months. It looks a bit chipped along the bottom but is otherwise in rather good condition, so I would guess it is from the back end of last year.
Soap, Lawrence Hill roundabout, Bristol, February 2020
This mouthy piece is typically cheerful and bright from an artist who appears to have had something of a renaissance over the past year or so. I like the incorporation of swirly colours around the character and line drawn ones within it too. It was painted alongside Bad Taste who Soap has collaborated with before and which I wrote about on Christmas Day. It just shows that it is worth checking out these spots from time to time.
Sometimes it is better not to write too much about a piece, especially when it is this good. Smak posted this on Instagram and said what a banging board this is, and I quite agree. Hats off to whoever erected it under the M32.
Smak, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2020
This writing is close to perfect and there is something that is extra good about it, it might be the choice of vibrant and contrasting colours. Anyhow it is simply a really good example of how great technical graffiti writing can be.
It is strange how you can notice something for the first time and then start wondering how long the thing you have just noticed has been there, and so it is with this Sepr commission on the facia sign for Filthy XIII just near the arches on Gloucester Road.
Sepr, Gloucester Road, Bristol, February 2020
On a wet walk to work I spotted this piece and was really rather taken by it. As with all Sepr pieces, the cartoon style character, looking like an illustration from the 1960s is part of an unfolding story involving a dog and some birds and drink.
Sepr, Gloucester Road, Bristol, February 2020
I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of Sepr’s work and my only criticism is that I just don’t get to see enough of it. At least I can enjoy this one every time I walk to work.
Another lovely portrait piece from Lobe, taken through railings at the M32 Spot. You can see the chanelled River Frome behind the pillar. The river passes under the city centre in a culvert, beneath Cabots Circus and Broadmead shopping centres, beneath the old fire station, beneath the fountains in the centre, along towards the Arnolfini, then it is siphoned underneath the floating harbour before eventually discharging into the New Cut. If only Bristolians knew what lies only a couple of meters beneath their feet.
Lobe, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2020
Back to the art and this wonderful face in the typical style of Lobe, that is with thick bold black outlines and strong fills in only two or three shades. I’m not sure if those are eyes or half-moon spectacles. If they are the latter, then they are upside down. More from Lobe to come.
I first met Sirens a few years ago in The Bearpit when he was contributing to a paint jam, I think organised by Georgie. I have had a soft spot for his work ever since. His scenes are most unconventional and unlike anything else you see in the city. Often his work contains strong horizons and vanishing points and that interface between humanity and nature.
Sirens, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
I also know that Sirens enjoys the chalenge of painting in corners, a form of anamorphic art that needs to be viewed from a certain angle in order to make sense. This naive style is instantly recognisable and although not technically up there with some of the Bristol masters, it is original and in a way aesthetically pleasing. I haven’t seen any of his work for ages so it was great to find this one at the tunnel.
Just outside St Werburghs tunnel there are several caravans and mobile homes, which give the area something of a distinctive character. It seems to be a situation that the local residents, council and police put up with, although one never knows how long patience will last. Several of the vehicles get little make-overs every now and again, and this little caravan has been decorated by Minto.
Minto, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
This is a particularly nice caravan pieve, as sometimes they can look a little perfunctory or rushed, but not this one, it is a beauty. I haven’t seen too much of Minto’s work, which I guess is because although he lived in Bristol for a while, he now lives in London and I imagine only visits from time to time. Great to have this mobile piece though.
In one of his favourite spots, Face 1st recently painted this ‘traditional’ Face 1st piece of a girl’s face surrounded by big hair spelling out Face. In this one there is a rather toxic-looking gunge dripping from the letters, but the girl seems to be pretty happy about it.
Face 1st, Moon Street, Bristol, February 2020
Although this area is being gentrified and several blocks adjacent to Moon Street have been levelled, it still remains one of my favourite places to hunt for street art.
