Back to the Bearpit and some recent work by ObjectØØØ. As always his very individual style carries with it so much emotion and passion combined with political statement. The figures in his work always feel distorted and tortured by struggle against inequity.
Object000, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017
This piece is located at the end of the tunnel where the artificial light meets the daylight, and it is really hard to get a decent photograph, but I have done my best. I like to feature ObjectØØØ’s work whenever I find it because I am fascinated by how much the artist invests himself in his work.
Object000, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017
The commentary is a little ambiguous, but I think I know what he is getting at. Great to see some new work from this unusual street artist.
The light was fading fast by the time I got to this wall. Had I known of its existence I would probably have tried to get to it earlier and benefit from better light. One of the pitfalls of wandering around aimlessly I suppose. All the pictures have been adjusted to make them less gloomy, but they really don’t convey the magnificence of this collaboration.
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Louis Masai and Fanakapan, two of the best street artists in the UK right now, collaborated to paint this wall as part of the Meeting of Styles, London event in May 2016.
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
The patchwork style of Louis Masai and the helium balloon chrome style of Fanakapan work surprisingly well together and when the subject matter is wildlife conservation, what it there not to like about this piece?
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
There is a very good piece by London Calling which shows the collaboration at work, in rather sunnier conditions than when I went to visit, which is well worth a gander.
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
The theme for the event was ‘absolute freedom’ and this piece is entitled ‘Freedom?’. This was a pure joy for me at the end of a very long walk in Shoreditch…the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
In my wanderings through the streets and alleyways of Shoreditch it was comforting to come across a familiar sight. So much of the artwork was unknown to me and then this…a piece by Bristol graffiti artist Voyder. All of a sudden I felt quite at home and rather pleased with myself that I could identify an artist in the heart of London’s graffitiland.
Voyder, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
I have to say though that I don’t think it is his best work, and not a patch on the stuff he has bee producing in the last few months (in my view). This wall was produced for the Meeting of Styles festival June, 2016. The photographs are a bit dodgy because the daylight was fading, and my crappy little camera was fussing about the light levels. I think I just about got away with it.
Street artists are like busses…nothing for ages and then two come along together. This is a small piece by Fin DAC tucked away in Shoreditch and when I took the photograph I didn’t know who it was by. Then, recently I posted a piece by him from Bristol’s Upfest and I recalled this picture and can post it now.
Fin DAC, Cheshire Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
The two pieces are very different, and the Shoreditch one is more typical of the Geisha that one normally associates with the artist. In both instances though it is the painted eye mask that gives away the artist’s identity – his signature if you like. At the time I took this I thought it was worth a snap. It was a good decision.
I am enjoying my journey into the world of street/graffiti art and learning about the talented artists who brighten up our urban environments. Not so long ago, I didn’t know about Himbad and images of his work just sat in my archive waiting for a positive ID. Now I know who he is and can recognise his work – that is a good thing.
Himbad, Sclater Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
This piece is rather large and very impressive when looking down the street at it. If you are wondering how it was painted, there is a great explanation on the London Calling blog which has images of the artist in progress. All done with rollers and a very long pole! This is a wonderful piece, full of character.
Just to mix things up a bit, I am going to write a few posts about some street art I photographed last Summer/Autumn when I was working two days a week in London. I thought I’d start with this rather eye-catching piece from Thierry Noir at the East end of Rivington Street in the archway by Cargo.
Thierry Noir, Rivington Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Thierry Noir’s pieces are simple and colourful, almost falling into the category of ‘well I could probably do that’ art. Well I probably couldn’t and the idea and style are his and he executes them brilliantly. The more of his work that I see, the more I like it.
This is a piece going back to June 2016 by the excellent Epok. I thought I had already posted it, but it turns out that I am both forgetful and wrong…very human and real traits for a gent of my age.
Epok, Unity Street, Bristol, June 2016
As always Epok stamps his singular style on any wall he sprays – great colour selection and crisp clear geometric lines and shapes creating a whole that is very pleasing. Always spelling out the letters EPOK which once you get your eye in can clearly be seen. It is always good to see work from this ASK member and there is more to come here soon.
A few days back, there was something of a graffiti art fest in The Bearpit, and many of the vacant tagged spots were given a makeover, several artists spraying more than one piece during the event.
Mr Klue, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017
This great abstract piece is by the extremely busy Mr Klue and draws the viewer into the mind of the artist – where are those steps leading? A nice quick one from a fine Bristol artist.
Lately it appears that Laic217 has dedicated a huge amount of time to his street art, with pieces popping up all over the place. I am really pleased to see it since I have a soft-spot for his work. Rather excitingly he has just started an Instagram account, which will make it easier to track down his pieces, however there is no biography and he continues to keep himself to himself.
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, January 2017
His works tend to take two forms, the wildstyle writing or burner with a character incorporated, or an image like this one, often demonstrating some kind of distortion…melting or in this example cracked glass (frequently there is a nod to drugs and acid-house music). All the time his work is improving, his concepts developing and the artwork becoming more skilled.
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, January 2017
I think Laic217 tends to spray solo, and unusually for a Bristol graffiti artist, will work in any of the common sites north and south of the river. I am not certain that he belongs to any crew, and I am not aware of any collaborations to date. I am enjoying the journey watching his work unfold. And hey…anyone notice the Feoflip to the left?
I am very excited about this piece. It is a crocodile by the fantastic Rowdy – one of Bristol’s original street artists. I am excited because since I have been blogging about street art, I haven’t come across any new works by him. One feels closer to the artist if you can still smell the paint on the wall.
Rowdy, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017
This croc is sprayed on the side of one of the staircases into The Bearpit and looks very much at home. It is the kind of piece that should become a bit of a landmark. I would be amazed and disappointed if it gets tagged, like so much of the work in The Bearpit.
Rowdy, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017
A big thank you from me to Rowdy. This is Bristol through and through.
Natural adventures 