Strike

.

Shoulder to shoulder

I stand with low-paid workers

who make the rich rich.

.

by Scooj

  • I didn’t think my contempt for 12 years of Conservative Government could grow any larger, but their refusal to negotiate on salaries during a cost-of-living crisis and >10% inflation, is beyond belief. I have worked hard in the public sector my entire working life and over the last 10 years have been hit with a real-terms pay cut of 25%, which is frankly disgusting. I should be at the peak of my earning power but have been utterly neutered by this anti-public sector regime.
  • They have run down our public services deliberately, reducing them to the bare minimum service. Their solution… reform, which is code for privatisation.
  • Successive Tory Governments have asset-stripped the country, privatising transport, energy and utilities to favour wealth creation at the expense of public service. There is nothing left to sell, except the health service and education. I hate what this country has become. Greedy, avaricious, selfish, uncompassionate, xenophobic. Thank you, Margaret Thatcher, your legacy is alive and well in the UK.

4897. Cumberland Basin

Mudra and Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2022
Mudra and Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2022

This wonderful collaboration reminds me of an early moving picture of an early Disney Mickey Mouse cartoon – some of you may know what I am imagining, some of you might think I have lost the plot. No matter. The colourful collaboration is by Mudra and Peggy and an absolute joy.

Mudra and Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2022
Mudra and Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2022

The character is by Mudra and looks like it is a letter (B?) walking and whistling and so gull of animation, it looks like it could walk right off the wall. The character is holding a beautiful flower stem and flower, painted by the up-and-coming Peggy. The whole thing is set on a black background which helps with giving the character definition and purpose. This is a very welcome and joyous pairing; long may they continue to collaborate.

4896. Dean Lane skate park (552)

Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2022
Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2022

Although he doesn’t paint anywhere near as often as he used to, Mr Draws is an important regular on the Bristol scene and his ‘DRAW’ letters are an essential staple for anyone who enjoys graffiti writing in the city.

Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2022
Mr Draws, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2022

This photograph is proof that we do occasionally get a bit of snow in Bristol, and although this snow event didn’t amount to much, it was bloody cold for about a week or so. We have returned to a climate changed warm period now though. Coincidentally Mr Draws’ piece has a wintery flavour to it, and it works rather nicely with the snowy foreground. This is a nicely executed and finished piece from Mr Draws.

COP 15

.

Global commitment

thirty by thirty target

recover nature

.

by Scooj

4895. St George skate park (18)

Haka, St George, Bristol, December 2022
Haka, St George, Bristol, December 2022

Haka is working his way through characters from the Ahlberg series of children’s picture books and in this wonderful piece on the back of a ramp in St George skate park he has created Grandma Swagg from the book Cops and Robbers, giving it a contemporary twist with the words ‘Cops and Tories’. Ha ha! It is also touching that Haka has paid a little tribute to Janet Ahlberg in the bottom left.

Haka, St George, Bristol, December 2022
Haka, St George, Bristol, December 2022

This is a beauty, on a wall that Haka rather likes, and suits this piece perfectly. I love the way Haka so lovingly and faithfully recreates these characters on a large scale for us all to enjoy. I’ll bet that this one is a real favourite with younger members of the local community.

4894. BB Gallery (3)

Conrico, BB Gallery, Bristol, December 2022
Conrico, BB Gallery, Bristol, December 2022

The Bristol to Bath cycle path gallery is one of those quirky things that Bristol is so good at. Creativity and generosity of spirit with a smattering of rebellion and a local community have attached original artwork to a short stretch of wall for all to enjoy. There are also one or two bare patches of wall which have been painted by local street artists, including this recent piece from Conrico.

Conrico, BB Gallery, Bristol, December 2022
Conrico, BB Gallery, Bristol, December 2022

The only problem with this spot is the speed at which the bicycles and scooters whiz past – I have to be extra careful photographing and keeping the dog safe. Conrico has painted a fabulous scene with a tiger dancing with/chasing a cat in a woodland scene. He includes his name in nicely crafted orange letters. His style remains utterly unique in Bristol, with a paintbrush feel to it. Nice one from Conrico.

 

 

4893. Greenbank (61)

Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, December 2022
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, December 2022

As the development alongside the Bristol to Bath cycle track reaches its completion, the long hoarding is being dismantled in sections as each new block of the development is finished. We always knew this would be a temporary spot, but it feels rather sad that it is shrinking away and will soon be gone altogether.

Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, December 2022
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, December 2022

One of the regulars here over the last few years has been Laic217, and here he is with another classic piece. This one, along with other recent pieces, reverts back to his rather sinister distorted faces. Distorted and trippy some might call it. All the elements of a Laic217 piece are there, but once again it is his attention to detail in folds in material that really stands out. He has become a master of painting the clothes worn by his skeletal characters. Brilliant stuff from one of my all-time favourite artists

4892. M32 roundabout J3 (438)

Daz Cat, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022
Daz Cat, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022

Quick ones this morning – a bit of Christmas ‘ground rush’ with way too much to do in a short weekend. This is a lively piece from Daz Cat in one of the tunnels under the M32 roundabout, which have had rather a low turnover in recent months.

Daz Cat, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022
Daz Cat, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022

Daz Cat’s work has grown over the last year or two and each piece adds a new layer of sophistication to his central cat characters. He has also created pieces which tells stories, and I wonder if this one is about heartbreak and sadness. Great colours and some real passion and emotion in this one. Poor cat.

Conflict

.

Archipelago

out of sight and out of mind

Galtieri strikes

.

by Scooj

4891. Dean Lane skate park (551)

Trafficity, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2022
Trafficity, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2022

Constantly out there in the background, rarely taking centre stage, is the magnificent Trafficity with his incredibly consistent form of letters spelling out ZIOM. This time, the PAD crew member ha painted on the swimming pool wall behind the railings.

Trafficity, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2022
Trafficity, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2022

Every time I see Trafficity’s work, I wonder if there is an extra line of letters running across the top, in this case the purple section, or whether it is just an artefact of his letter styling. I guess that I’ll just have to ask him next time I see him, although because He doesn’t paint all that frequently, it might be some time before that happens. It is always great to see his work.