4345. Purdown AA Battery (41)

Laic217 has thrown himself into demonstrating his support for Ukraine, which probably feels rather close to home, as a Polish person, in this his third war related piece in recent weeks. Unsigned, this piece is obviously the work of Laic217, and is both hard-hitting and poignant.

Laic217, Purdown, Bristol, March 2022
Laic217, Purdown, Bristol, March 2022

To express rage and anger at dictator Putin’s war through art is a very powerful thing, and Laic217 really captures the horrors being experienced in Ukraine every minute of every day. The blue and yellow neck scarf is nicely painted with superb folds in the fabric, and the hat says it all. Another slightly unconventional piece from Laic217, and one that chronicles the major issue of our time.

Rats

.

Palindromic verse

rats live on no evil star

they’re all around us

.

by Scooj

* Prompted by spotting two large rats on my dog walk today.

4344. M32 Spot (136)

I have a feeling that you will be seeing a lot more of Bogat and his painting pal Asre on Natural Adventures over the coming weeks and months, as they have both been rather busy of late. This column piece by Bogat, might have been the first piece of his that I consciously knew was by him. Before this, I’m not sure He was on my radar.

Bogat, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2022
Bogat, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2022

Although this is perhaps not the best piece by Bogat, it is certainly striking and unmistakably his work. The writing in the brain is something I have seen before from another artist, but I don’t recall which one. The piece definitely stands out, and is a magnet for graffiti photographers like me, and Bogat’s work which is often tall and thin, definitely lends itself to columns.

4343. Cattle Market Road (10)

A mural artist who is rapidly developing a name for herself in Bristol is Farrah, and some recent additions to her portfolio include this wonderful piece in Cattle Market Road.

Farrah, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, March 2022
Farrah, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, March 2022

Farrah, with her abstract pieces, seems to be as comfortable with a commission as she does with a roadside hoarding like this one, and there seems to be something of a civic appetite for her work, for example I have noticed a number of planters around the city that have been decorated with her work.

Farrah, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, March 2022
Farrah, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, March 2022

This particular piece has a rather summery feel to it, reminiscent of sunflowers. The brush strokes have a movement to them and the blending of colours is so skilfully done. Farrah is an artist on the up and up.

It goes on

.

Exasperation

every time Jacob Rees-Mogg

opens his big mouth

.

by Scooj

  • It becomes exhausting getting so worked up, when this particular politician speaks. I genuinely don’t think that he and I share any values at all.

4342. Lawrence Hill roundabout (17)

I don’t tend to visit Lawrence Hill roundabout all that often as the turnover is pretty slow, and pieces tend to get tagged quite a lot. However I did get down there about a week ago and was rewarded with quite a few decent pieces, many of them is good condition, including this rather nice Smut piece.

Smut, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, March 2022
Smut, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, March 2022

Smut is an artist who turns out consistently excellent pieces. A writer who uses a distinctive script style, with lovely smooth curves and sharp borders. With a few more of these it won’t be long before I have enough for a gallery. Always good to stumble across these.

4341. Greenbank (35)

So far, this year has been a good one for Billy, with her joint exhibition at the Centrespace gallery, and a series of inspirational pieces, such as this recent storyboard piece at Greenbank.

Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

The cartoon-style storyboard is split into four segments with the narrative saying ‘I don’t shut up, I grow up, and when I look at you, I throw up’. My reading of the piece is that is is a criticism of our Government and Boris Johnson in particular at the refugee fiasco and National embarrassment brought upon us by their hostile approach to people in need.

The piece is beautifully illustrated, I love the world maps on the girl’s t-shirt, and other details like that, cleverly presented in her naive style. A really great piece from an artist whose work I am really enjoying right now.

Garden mouse

.

The tiniest glimpse

of the tiniest rodent

scuttling away

.

by Scooj

4340. Cumberland Basin

I am beginning to wonder whether Haka has young children, because many of his recent pieces feature characters from children’s picture books, such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Lazybones and in this piece, Stick Man, created by the fabulous Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Haka, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2022
Haka, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, March 2022

Not only is this a faithful homage to the creators of the character, but it is also an anti-war piece in support of the people of Ukraine whose world has been thrown into turmoil by the invasion by Russia, directed by the dictator Putin. I am very much enjoying Haka’s work at the moment, and really feel it is high time for a gallery.

4339. Greenbank (34)

I cannot fully express how much I am enjoying Rozalita’s renaissance, and find myself simply marvelling at her work. This piece fits the formula of a few of her recent pieces with a two tone portrait framed within a floral display. One of her favoured spots is this long wall on the Bristol to Bath cycle path, and several of her pieces can be seen here in one visit.

Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

The colour tones of this piece are perfectly complementary, and help to bring out the features in the greyscale face. I’m not too sure what the blue cap is all about, but it separates the face from the background very nicely. The flowers are very nicely painted, I particularly like the one on the left, which looks a little bit like a protea. The improvements in Rozalita’s work is tangible from piece to piece, and I have a tinge of excitement each time I come across a new one.