This is an unusual and surreal piece by an unusual artist. I don’t really know too much about him, but I know he has been spraying down at Dean Lane for a considerable number of years.
Haka, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
This piece is peculiar in many ways, but there is a big story going on somewhere here. Built around a tank there are mountains, aliens, buildings and a robot character…make something of that.
Haka, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
There is also a tribute to CK One, who passed away in December 2011, but is still remembered fondly in the Bristol graffiti art fraternity.
I love the stencil work of Stephen Quick, and I love Star Wars, so this was a nice treat for me to find. The piece is attached next to the front gate of the car park to the Tobacco Factory and looks out onto the street with a quiet modesty.
Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road Tobacco Factory, Bristol, May 2017
I guess it is a tribute piece to the amazing Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia. Stephen Quick is becoming a bit of a specialist at tributes to the stars…which is a little unfortunate, but they are also a wonderful way of recognising how important these people are in our lives.
Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road Tobacco Factory, Bristol, May 2017
A New Hope is simply shortened to HOPE – there is a story here somewhere. Simple, moving and some great drips. Nice work from Stephen.
A couple of weekends ago, there was a small gathering of Bristol street/graff artists underneath the M32 in the dry weather DIY skateboarding area known as the M32 Spot. The Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) had used their reach, to encourage some artists to adorn the concrete pillars under the motorway. There will be several posts on this particular gathering.
Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
First off is this fabulous piece by Jee See, whom I was fortunate enough to meet, at last, as he was just finishing off this piece (not the bloke in the picture). Square pillar works are a devil to photograph, due to the different light intensities on each of the sides and the background lighting ranging from very dark to very bright.
Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
I guess the pillars must be rather challenging for the artists too. Jee See told me that Japanese the writing on the side of the pillar says Gothic Chav, although I might have got that wrong.
Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
All in all this is a nicely thought out piece in which Jee See expresses his thoughts . I enjoy his work very much, and perhaps a little more now having seen him at work. An guy with some cool things to say/spray.
Another lunchtime walk, and another chance meeting with one of Bristol’s graffiti artists. It’s the sunny weather you know, it brings them out onto the streets. When I took these pictures, I wasn’t sure who the artist was, and he was being rather evasive about revealing his name to me. I didn’t pursue the matter.
Rusk, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2017
We had a good conversation about the rules of spraying and about taggers and the merits of legal and non-legal walls. All interesting stuff really. Sadly I didn’t get a finished version of the piece, but it wasn’t too different from this picture (UPDATE – I went back a couple of days ago and got a shot of the final work). Turns out the artist (who posted his work on Instagram) is Rusk who is one of the RAW (Read and Weep) crew. I have featured a piece by Rusk once before, and have others yet to publish. A really nice guy and central figure in Bristol’s graffiti art scene.
It has been a little while since I have seen a Sled One piece, but this one has been worth waiting for. A crocodile, or is it an alligator? with SLED written into the main part of the body.
Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017
There is a lot to like about this piece; the colours, the backdrop design, the writing and of course the reptile with its stylish purple glasses. This was my second attempt at photographing the work. The first time was on a very bright day, and there was a shadow cast across half of the wall…sometimes overcast days can be a blessing.
I was lucky enough to meet Ments at the Graffiti Nation exhibition opening evening at the Upfest shop in April. As with all other graffiti artists, he looked nothing like the image I had conjured up in my mind. It is interesting what assumptions we are capable of making before actually meeting a person.
Ments, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2017
Ments came to Bristol but is originally from East Anglia, and if street art is your thing, it is probably an obvious move to make. This piece is of such a high quality and showcases the organic feel he gives to his work.
Ments, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2017
This wildstyle writing is complex, but look carefully and you might be able to make out the letters MENTS. His work is so distinctive and seems to improve from piece to piece.
Since I first ‘found’ Leonard Lane about two years ago, I have been back many times to see if there is any new art down there. Sometimes I get lucky, and this was one of those occasions.
Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, April 2017
This is an unusual piece by an unknown artist (please let me know if you know who painted it), who seems to have used the narrow alleyway to practice some outdoor fine art. The reclining woman is nicely painted, but it is the face that steals it for me – really nicely done.
Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, April 2017
It seems incongruous placed alongside graffiti and tags, but somehow it enhances the piece somewhat. A bit like a DIY PichiAvo piece. I would love to know more about this unusual piece, but suspect it will remain a bit of a mystery.
A few weeks ago this stunning and touching tribute piece appeared on the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) outdoor gallery wall. It is a wonderful collaboration between The Paintsmiths and Ryder.
The Paintsmiths and Ryder tribute to Raphael Dufresne, Jamaica Street, Bristol, April 2017
The tribute is to Raphael Dufresne, a popular musician on the local scene who passed away on 14 April 2017, suffering a fatal aneurism whilst at the gym. He was only 27 years old. This piece fills me with a sadness, but what a magnificent way to celebrate his life.
The Paintsmiths and Ryder tribute to Raphael Dufresne, Jamaica Street, Bristol, April 2017
I never heard his music, and feel sorry that I never had the chance of seeing him, it sounds like he had a good soul and attitude to life. He had links with PRSC, which is why this tribute is all the more poignant. Really terrific letters from Ryder and a superb portrait by The Paintsmiths. Sad.
The Paintsmiths and Ryder tribute to Raphael Dufresne, Jamaica Street, Bristol, April 2017
Some weeks ago now, I had a great walk home from work, and discovered several wheatpastes by qWeRT. This one was rather better concealed than others I had spotted, and photographing it was a little awkward because the householder was sitting in the doorway, soaking up the sun. I asked if they minded me taking a picture…I don’t think they had even noticed this little gem on their own doorstep. Oh well.
qWeRT, City Road, Bristol, April 2017
I am fond of these googly eyed characters, there is something endearing and playful about them. As you will know by now, I am fond of a good paste up, and this one doesn’t disappoint.
A quick one from Jee See on the Carriageworks carrying his trademark ‘seismic’ lettering, this time with accompanying ‘Why sick?’. I’m not too sure what it all means, but it is bright and upbeat.
Jee See, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2017
Since I took this picture, I have at last met Jee See, and what an utter gent he is. More about this soon. I like this picture with the sun and shadows and the skulking Silent Hobo character on the adjacent space. All good.
Natural adventures 