Category: 7.3. Upfest 2018

1684. Upfest 2018 (24)

One of the most striking and interesting collaborations of Upfest 2017 was by Guy Denning and Yatika Fields and it was a real pleasure to be able to welcome Guy Denning back this year, this time painting solo.

Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

The wall developed slowly over the duration of the festival, and it was really interesting to see the layers go up to crate the final piece. I’m not too sure who the lady portrayed is, but I imagine she is an important figure in the world of campaigns and politics.

Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Guy Denning’s style is crafted from a combination of freestyle portraiture and stencil overlay, which gives it a unique finish. He includes a quote, probably from the subject of the piece, and in this case it says:

’Rise like lions after slumberin unvanquishable number, shake your chains to earth like dew which in sleep have fallen on you, ye are many, they are few.’

A stirring quote indeed. Having done a quick search on the Interweb, I now understand that the quote is from a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley called The Masque of Anarchy, which was written about the Peterloo Massacre of 1819. All great stuff. Now trot along and dig out the poem and read it for yourself, just like I did.

Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

A fine piece indeed.

1683. Upfest 2018 (23)

Now this charming piece is something rather refreshingly different and eye-catching. It is one of two pieces that I am aware of painted by the London-based artist Vanesa Longchamp at Upfest, the other being a North Street shutter piece (to follow).

Vanesa Longchamp, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Vanesa Longchamp, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

It was good to witness this piece taking shape during the festival, although I think that the high winds experienced over the weekend must have made it rather difficult, particularly at the exposed site of Ashton Gate, for the artists.

Vanesa Longchamp, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Vanesa Longchamp, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Vanesa’s simple style betrays some fantastic technique and the shading of the hair and twinkle in the eyes is masterful. I’ve not come across any of herv work before but will be on the look out from now on. Great stuff.

1682. Upfest 2018 (22)

Well several of these beautiful stencils by Kin Dose appeared sometime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, each sprayed on a utility box. This one of a hare I think from recollection is opposite the Louis Masai piece.

Kin Dose, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Kin Dose, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I think that this is a very clever stencil, because of the thought that has gone into the background swirls which really help to highlight the subject so well. Kin Dose only occasionally takes to the streets, but when he does he excels every time. A perfect ‘unofficial’ Upfest piece. More to follow.

1681. Upfest 2018 (21)

To kick of the third set of ten posts from Upfest 2018 is this magnificent piece by the brilliant artist Annatomix. I have seen a few of her pieces and I have to say the more I see of them, the more I like them.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This piece was on a new wall for 2018, which it suited perfectly, in a little garden space behind an arched gateway on North Street. I wrote a haiku about this gateway some time ago.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I managed to have a quick chat with Annatomix during one of the several showers on the Saturday, and I think she was worried about getting behind schedule with the piece. It was such a pity that it rained during Upfest, especially as it was in the middle of a heatwave.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

The choice of subject, a kingfisher, and the stunning colours – thanks largely to the kingfisher itself – was absolutely perfect for this space. Her origami style of painting is so clever and really attractive – a kind of abstract take on wildlife.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I think it would be nice to keep this as a permanent wall, but I don’t know it that is likely to happen – best to enjoy it while it is there I guess. Bravo Annatomix – one of the festival highlights.

1669. Upfest 2018 (20)

I was looking for the Andrew Burns Colwill piece (to follow soon) which I knew was a little off the beaten track for Upfest 2018 and spotted this brilliant little stencil by John D’oh on the wall of The Black Cat pub on the corner of West Street and Westbourne Grove.

John D'oh, Upfest, Bristol, August 2018
John D’oh, Upfest, Bristol, August 2018

When I see small ‘hidden’ gems like this, I wonder how many Upfest visitors might have missed it in their quest for the ‘marquee’ artists – I don’t suppose it matters really, but as a street art hunter, I like to work hard for my trophies, it is what I do. This is a really accomplished little stencil and one that really chimes for me – a great little find – Thank you John D’oh.

1668. Upfest 2018 (19)

I realise that this piece was not an official Upfest piece, but I don’t really care about that, because it is by one of Bristol’s finest artists, Tom Miller, and was painted in Dean Lane during the Festival – it counts in my book.

Tom Miller, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Tom Miller, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I managed to hook up with Tom Miller a couple of times over the festival, indeed we cowered from a heavy rainshower together on the Saturday morning under one of the skate park ramps.

Tom Miller, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Tom Miller, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Yet again, Tom Miller has absolutely ‘nailed it’ as he seems to do with every piece he creates. I only wish that my photography was up to the standard that he sets with his murals.

Tom Miller, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Tom Miller, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

It is often difficult to fathom out what exactly is going on in Miller’s pieces and indeed, I think it is often open to interpretation – maybe only the artist really knows what this piece is about, but it incorporates all of his surrealist elements and the bright colours he uses. What is incredible about Tom Miller is that he seems to be just as adept with spray cans on walls as he is with paint brushes in the studio, and the end results are always unmistakably Miller pieces. Bravo two times over – I love this piece.

1667. Upfest 2018 (18)

Cheo is a Bristol (and beyond) street art legend, and his involvement in Upfest is always eagerly anticipated. In the last few years Cheo has been quite dominant at the festival, so this year’s rather modest participation came as a bit of a surprise, his piece however reached all the high standards you expect to see from him.

Cheo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Cheo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Are we supposed to guess at who is hidden under the paper bag? My immediate assumption, given the Simpsons theme of the festival is that it is the mischievious Bart, but I may be wide of the mark and there may be another story going on here.

Cheo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Cheo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Somehow Upfest simply wouldn’t feel like Upfest without some contribution from Cheo, and it is great to see his work on a wall that he obviously enjoys, as he has had several pieces on this wall outside the Bristol Standard, in the past. Great stuff.

1666. Upfest 2018 (17)

One of the great difficulties of writing posts from Upfest is that so many of the artists are new to me and it is difficult to comment on anything other than first impressions and a little bit about the artist. Often, as in this case, the piece is so good that my short ramblings don’t really do it any justice at all.

Akse, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Akse, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Akse started as a graffiti artist back in 1992 in ther suburbs of Paris. He now lives in Manchester and is known for his photorealistic portraits. This incredible portrait of Frida Kahlo is one of the most memorable of this year’s festival and mirrors the great piece from Alexander Tadlock last year. As a subject, Frida Kahlo seems to hold interest for artists and I look forward to many more portraits of her in the future.

Alexander Tadlock, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Alexander Tadlock, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

1665. Upfest 2018 (16)

I think that Stewy owns this wall. The Bristol-based stencil artist has had one of his pieces on this little wall in North Street for at least three years now. The ram is a fine successor to the Bristol Pounds £5 that was there before.

Stewy, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Stewy, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I am and will continue to be a keen supporter of Stewy’s work, which is a cool mix of celebrity work and wildlife stencils. This was not his only stencil at this year’s Festival, and I’ll save one of his others for a future post. Let’s hear it for this extremely intricate single-layer stencil of a ram…

1664. Upfest 2018 (15)

There were a great many fabulous paintings of eyes at this year’s Upfest, but I think that this one was probably the finest. It is by an artist called Justinks who gives little away about himself in the programme notes other than to say this:

‘I’m into movemental detailed artwork, I always put the wind element into my pieces and cold colors to show the power of nature.’

Justinks, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Justinks, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I was lucky enough to photograph the artist in action, probably on the Saturday, before the cold colours he speaks of were added. This is a fine work executed brilliantly. I’ll certainly be looking out for Justinks in the future.

Justinks, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Justinks, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018