Category: 5. Street Art

2056. St Werburghs tunnel (63)

Zake is an artist who is really coming out of the shadows and making a bit of a name for himself. I first became aware of him last Summer but I don’t know if that was because he was reasonably new to the Bristol scene or whether I just hadn’t spotted any of his work before.

Zake, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2019
Zake, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2019

This piece is a little bit different and has some similarities with artwork by Laic217…which can only be a good thing. A skull leaving its host through the mouth is surely an odd concept, but one which allows Zake to experiment beyond his faces. Skulls are difficult to get right, but this is not too bad at all. I love it that Zake is more mobile and seems to have teamed up with some of the PWA artists and friends. A lovely surprise piece in the tunnel.

2055. Norfolk Place (4)

There is something about Cheo’s work that oozes class. I think it stems from his great compositions and characters, but most of all his incredibly clean lines. The whole thing looks like it has been painted with fat felt tips rather than spray cans.

Cheo, Norfolk Place, Bristol, April 2017
Cheo, Norfolk Place, Bristol, April 2017

I love the smoking cat character with his gold chain in the centre of the piece, and I’m not too sure what the white creature on the left is, but he is clearly animated about something.

Cheo, Norfolk Place, Bristol, April 2017
Cheo, Norfolk Place, Bristol, April 2017

I struggle to read Cheo’s writing, mainly because he doesn’t simply write ‘CHEO’  which would of course make things much easier. Crazy that I’ve only just posted this one.

2054. M32 roundabout J3 (128)

Another one that slipped through the net is this melting face piece by Laic217 from a time when he was experimenting with these kinds of facial distortions and disfigurements, back in February 2017.

Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017

Although it is only a small piece, sandwiched between two bits of graffiti writing, it demands to be looked at, and why not…this is the kind of piece that typifies the work of this Polish adopted son of Bristol. Melting face, bucket hat, smilie face smoking… all trademarks used by Laic217. Another fine piece.

2053. The Bearpit (177)

With the incredible weather we have had recently in Bristol, there has been a massive turnover of street art, so what the hell am I doing delving through my archive pictures rather than posting current street/graffiti art? I think that it tends to happen when I am looking for something specific and then stumble upon things that I have squirreled away. Anyhow, I saw this and just had to post it. It is a winter piece (obviously from the subject) by John D’oh.

John D'oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017
John D’oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017

The stencil depicts the snowman from Disney’s Frozen, and makes a pun on the name with one of the characters (Olaf = a laugh), but then draws in the incredibly serious matter of climate change. This is a skillful way of blending art, humour and the biggest issue of our time in a typically John D’oh way. I love this piece and am happy that I have now at last liberated it.

2052. Upfest 2016 (170)

Rounding off this batch of ten Upfest 2016 pieces is this powerful piece by Bram. Depicting  a person standing behind a glass barrier, the piece makes a bold statement about refusing refuge, which in 2016 was a huge issue across Europe.

Bram, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Bram, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Although the piece on first inspection might seem a little simple, it is in fact beautifully composed and executed, with fine detail on the hands pressed up to the screen, but a murky figure behind the hands is obscured. It is a moving piece and a classic case of less is more, as you try to fill the gaps of the story for yourself.

Bram, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Bram, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

I know nothing of the artist and have struggled to find out anything from the Interweb.

2051. Upfest 2016 (169)

During Upfest 2016, a few of these beautiful glazed face masks by Gesta Future were placed around North Street and in town too, although from recollection none of them lasted too long before being hacked off, which is unfortunate if not a little predictable.

Gesta Future, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Gesta Future, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Gesta Future is an Italian artist who seems to be equally comfortable producing ceramics as he does using spray cans freestyle or with stencils. A versatile artist with great creative ideas. These masks are the only pieces of his that I have seen, but if I go to Italy any time soon, I’ll keep my eyes peeled.

Gesta Future, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Gesta Future, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

2050. Upfest 2016 (168)

Now here is something of a rarity, a piece of street art by Smak, rather than the graffiti writing we normally associate him with. Smak is an accomplished artist as well as writer as this piece from Upfest 2016 amply demonstrates.

Smak, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Smak, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

I think this piece is depicting the Gorgon Medusa with her snake locks and stare that turns all who gaze upon her to stone. I think that if the piece had not been signed I would have really struggled to recognise it as a Smak piece. Really great to see something different from this Bristol-based artist.

2049. Upfest 2016 (167)

I think this was the first time I saw anything by Hypo, but I think I might have been somewhat overwhelmed by the anti-May work by Peter Sheridan next to it that this piece passed me by a little. I am glad that I have had time to reflect and dig it out of archive.

Hypo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Hypo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

I have noticed that Hypo likes to work with a vanishing point in the middle of his work, so that all 3D shading gravitates to the centre. I like the reasonably straightforward graff writing of this piece especially the splashes of white on the corners. At the bottom he recognises Mixie, Expo and Ulow as well as himself. A nice Upfest piece…below is his offering from 2017.

Hypo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Hypo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

2048. Upfest 2016 (166)

Carl Kenz is a German artist who seems to incorporate tentacles into most of his work. In this tribute to Andy Worhol he offers a slightly different take on the Campbell’s soup tin with a new variety – tentacle soup (fresh ‘n’ alive) overflowing with movement and activity.

Carl Kenz, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Carl Kenz, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

As well as his tentacle work, it appears that Carl Kenz is also rather ford of 3D art and there are several interesting pieces on his streetart.com website. I love this piece, which really leaps out at you and is full of mischief and fun.

 

2047. Upfest 2016 (165)

Yet another notable omission from my Upfest 2016 posts is this extraordinary piece by Manchester’s brilliant duo, Nomad Clan. It looks a little bit like a dystopian future piece and bristles with menace and potential violence.

Nomad Clan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Nomad Clan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

This would have been the first time I saw these two painting or indeed was conscious of their work, although at the time I was not conscious of their work…if that makes sense. It is amazing to think what a successful few years they have had.

Nomad Clan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Nomad Clan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

The piece is sprayed on the fake train carriage that is rolled out at Upfest each year, which is a nice touch from the organisers. The only downside to it is that it is surrounded by fences, presumably to stop people from sitting on the ledge and getting in the way of the artists.

Nomad Clan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Nomad Clan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

This is a great looking piece with loads of attitude and a bit of as story gong on in.