Category: 5. Street Art

1918. Dean Lane skate park (181)

You can’t hold him back. Mr Draws was planning to go and live in Germany at the end of the summer, but for whatever reason his plans fell through. His loss is surely Bristol’s gain as he continues to brighten up the place with his burners.

Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2018
Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2018

This one has a rather wintry feel about it, the colours and icy drips definitely feel a bit frosty. I love the way that Mr Draws just keeps on going – no matter what life throws at him, he just seems to pick himself up and carry on. It has been a while since I last chatted with him, which is a pity, because he is a really lovely bloke.

1917. Cumberland Basin

There has been something of a population explosion of bunnies in Bristol recently…it would seem that Nevergiveup Familia has balls of steel and will spray just about any inanimate object in the city.

Nevergiveup, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2018
Nevergiveup, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2018

These are two of his more recent additions from the Cumberland Basin, one on either side of the floating harbour. These two are slightly smaller than his usual door-sized bunnies and are sprayed on utility boxes.

Nevergiveup, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2018
Nevergiveup, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2018

I am definitely a fan and will post rabbits as I find them, but probably bunch them together as there are just so many.

1916. Ashley Road (19)

What a superb piece by Alex Lucas in the heart of Alex Lucas land. The artist and illustrator fills a niche in the Bristol commission market and is probably one of the most recognised artists in the city. Because nearly all of her work is commissioned, it tends to remain in situ for a very long while.

Alex Lucas, Ashley Road, Bristol, December 2018
Alex Lucas, Ashley Road, Bristol, December 2018

This piece, wonderful as it is..and it really is…leaves me a little conflicted, not because of the artwork, but because before the development work behind the hoarding started, this used to be a regular ‘illegal’ wall for artists to try out their work, much of it outstanding. This is the gentrification process in full swing, the succession being; Illegal (tolerated) wall – permitted/commission wall – no wall (policed).

It is a sad but inevitable journey for most of our inner cities, and these areas are often in need of some TLC. My objection is that what will emerge from behind the hoarding will be unaffordable flats, little in the way of community assets and a sterilisation of a colourful area. The only people to benefit will be the people with money and power.

Let’s enjoy the hoardings while we can.

1915. Stokes Croft

It is always, always good to see a piece by Hazard, especially when she has only recently returned from a tour of the United States. This is a spot where Jeff Knight, a well-known ‘Big Issue’ seller greets passers-by with a smile and fist pump. Genuinely one of the nicest guys around. I like to stop and chat with him when I get a chance and on this occasion spoke to him about the beautiful piece by Hazard. He told me that she is a friend of his and that he watched her paint this piece. He said, with his Jamaican lilt “I tell Harriet it look just like she.” and he is right, although I have not met her, I have seen pictures of her.

Hazard, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2018
Hazard, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2018

There is so much to like about this piece, particularly the colour shades on each side of the face, but it is not just the artwork, but also the location. This spot has been in need of a decent piece for a while, and with the Carriageworks no longer an option there are fewer and fewer decent pieces going up in the area.

Hazard, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2018
Hazard, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2018

I hope Hazard hangs around long enough to leave us with a few more portraits – she seems to be forever travelling.

John D'oh, North Street, Bristol, June 2016
John D’oh, North Street, Bristol, June 2016

 

1914. Upfest 2018 (110)

I remember very well the piece that Bill Giles created for Upfest 2017, and this piece, in a similar style, is bigger and better. Bill is a Bristol designer/illustrator and street artist whose ‘melting’ characters are instantly recognisable.

Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This piece, at the Tobacco Factory, is classic Bill Giles and has real class. It is great to have a picture of the skecth stage of the work to get a feel for how the piece gets from the black book onto the wall.

Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I like this piece, and rather wish he did a little more street work than he does. Imagine what this would look like at Dean Lane for example. A lovely piece for Upfest.

Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

1913. Upfest 2018 (109)

Tell me honestly…who doesn’t love a stencil of a chimp? And as they go, this is about as good as you are going to get – a brilliant piece by Matti. I don’t know too much about the artist, and although he has a website, it appears to be unpopulated.

Matti, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Matti, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This stencil captures so beautifully the nature and soul of this little chimp. What is going on behind those glassy eyes? This piece so perfectly matches the perfect subject matter with brilliantly executed technical skills.

Matti, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Matti, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I could look at those eyes for hours.

1912. Upfest 2018 (108)

With so many artists flooding in to Bristol for Upfest, it is always great to see that there is a good representation of local artists, who keep things real. It can be overwhelming seeing so much street art, and at times awe inspiring, but it is as well to remember the roots of a festival like this whose foundations were built on the work of graffiti writers and street artists who produce work day in and day out on our city streets.

Ryder, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Ryder, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This is a great piece of writing from Ryder of RAW (Read and Weep) which is technically brilliant as well as rather beautiful. Each of the letters seems to be bursting with character, and the colours and shading are absolutely masterfully worked. Anyone who wants to get more into burners, should take a long hard look at this one and enjoy the technique that has been applied to create it.

1911. Upfest 2018 (107)

This is the second Mini Gabi wheatpaste I have posted from Upfest 2018 which this time features our heroine making a strong and contemporary statement ‘girls’ rights to feel safe!!’

Mini Gabi, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Mini Gabi, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Before the festival I had never heard of Mini Gabi but strangely enough on my trip to Shoreditch in November I saw several of her paste ups, which felt really good. I’ll be posting them in due course. I’m rather liking this little character who has real attitude (some similarities to Phoebe New York), and regular readers will know I am very ford of wheatpastes.

1910. Upfest 2018 (106)

I have only ever seen three pieces by Beep Monkey, and each of them has been at each of the last three Upfests. His work is consistently good and has a lovely cartoon style that is both witty and fun.

Beep Monkey, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Beep Monkey, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I always look out for his work at Upfest because his wife is a colleague of mine, although it took us a couple of years to work out the connection. In this piece it looks like the monkey and the rabbit are having a bit of a disagreement. The piece almost looks animated and the three white flashes give it some movement. Another beauty from Beep Monkey.

Beep Monkey, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Beep Monkey, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Beep Monkey, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Beep Monkey, Ashton Gate School, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

1909. Upfest 2018 (105)

Regular readers of Natural Adventures may recall posts about the ephemeral work of Annika Pixie who is a Bristol artist and regular at Upfest. Annika is a vibrant and colourful member of the local art community, who appears to spend her winters in Thailand teaching before returning to her adopted city.

Annika Pixie, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annika Pixie, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This portrait carries all the hallmarks of an Annika Pixie piece. The face is partly obscured by a thin veil as if peering through a net curtain and there is a sadness in the girl’s expression. on her chest are some little ballet dancer stencils…I wonder what the story is here. It is always great to see Annika’s work although I was disappointed to have missed talking to her this year.