Thank you Banksy for your recent visit to Bristol. I thank you because your piece drew me to an area of Bristol that I have not been to before, which is a bit of a crime for a street art hunter because Barton Hill was where a great many Bristol graffiti artists cut their teeth. Only a matter of a hundred meters or so north of the Banksy Valentine piece is a long wall on the boundary wall of Netham Park where I found this old piece by Andy Council.
Andy Council, Avonvale Road, Bristol, February 2020
The stegasaurus-type dinosaur composed of buildings and trees is typical of the incredible work that Andy Council has become famous for. I can’t believe that I didn’t know about this piece, but that is what makes doing what I do so much fun – surprises lurk around every corner. A very satisfying find on a red-letter day.
Just wow! Another epic collaboration in St Werburghs tunnel, this time from Rezwonk and Nightwayss, featuring Dennis the Menace from the fabulous old comic the Beano. I am guessing that this might have been prompted by the recent Storm Dennis that wrought havoc across the midlands and the rain from which is still causing flooding in Ironbridge, Shrewsbury and Worcester.
Rezwonk and Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
I took a walk with the dog last week to the tunnel and got lucky, because the pair were still hard at work painting this outstanding piece. The dog became a little unsettled when Nightways was jumping up and down rollering his pink border along the top of his piece. The barking was loud and I had to move on, and returned a little while later when he had calmed down. My own Gnasher slightly cramped my style.
Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
It was great to stop and chat with both artists and an additional bonus was that DJ Perks was down there too admiring the work and we were able to catch up too. It seems that I missed Paul H (again) by only a few minutes, but that is how it happens… beig in the right place at the right time.
Rezwonk, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
Both of these pieces are stunning and it was really interesting watching them bring their work to life. I find the whole process of spray painting totally counter-intuitive, and I think I am going to have to put in a whole load more practice this spring and summer. Rezwonk was writing REZER with the fills, which he then put outlines on; in other words did the colouring in before there was anything to colour in (does that make sense?).
I understand that Nightwayss painnted the Dennis and Gnasher characters from pictures on his phone. What a talent to be able to do that. It was great to see some recent work from him as he has been a little dormant on the streets this winter. This NIGHT absolutely makes up for it though.
Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
All in all, this is a spectacular collaboration and lies in the same place where Rezwonk and Decay painted a Dr Seuss Cat in the Hat scene last year. Keep it going folks… even with the difficuly light conditions this is a fabulous wall.
Rezwonk and Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020
I am not too sure how old this one from Soap is because I haven’t been to this spot for quite a few months. It looks a bit chipped along the bottom but is otherwise in rather good condition, so I would guess it is from the back end of last year.
Soap, Lawrence Hill roundabout, Bristol, February 2020
This mouthy piece is typically cheerful and bright from an artist who appears to have had something of a renaissance over the past year or so. I like the incorporation of swirly colours around the character and line drawn ones within it too. It was painted alongside Bad Taste who Soap has collaborated with before and which I wrote about on Christmas Day. It just shows that it is worth checking out these spots from time to time.
Sometimes it is better not to write too much about a piece, especially when it is this good. Smak posted this on Instagram and said what a banging board this is, and I quite agree. Hats off to whoever erected it under the M32.
Smak, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2020
This writing is close to perfect and there is something that is extra good about it, it might be the choice of vibrant and contrasting colours. Anyhow it is simply a really good example of how great technical graffiti writing can be.
A gallery of fabulous work from the amazingly talented Rezwonk (Rezer). All pictures by Scooj.
Rezwonk, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2020Rezwonk, St Werburghs, Bristol, June 2020Rezwonk, Brunel Way, Bristol, May 2020Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2020Rezwonk, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2020Rezwonk, M32 Spot, Bristol, August 2019Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, April 2019Rezwonk, New Stadium Road, Bristol, May 2019Rezwonk, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2020Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2020Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2020Rezwonk, River Avon, Bristol, February 2020Rezwonk, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020Rezwonk and Nightwayss, St Werburghs, Bristol February 2020Rezwonk, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020Rezwonk, Hepburn Road, Bristol, January 2020Rezwonk and Decay, Turbo Island, Bristol, December 2019Rezwonk and Slakarts, Albert Park Place, Bristol, November 2019Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019Rezwonk, Wilder Street, Bristol, November 2019Rezwonk, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2019Rezwonk, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2019Rezwonk, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019Rezwonk, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2019Rezwonk, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, July 2019Rezwonk, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019Rezwonk, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2019Rezwonk, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2019Rezwonk, Moon Street, Bristol, May 2019Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, April 2019Rezwonk, M32, Bristol, April 2019Rezwonk, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2019Rezwonk, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2019Rezwonk, Moon Street, Bristol, October 2018Rezwonk, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, February 2019Rezwonk, Moon Street, Bristol, October 2018Rezwonk and Subtle, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018Rezwonk and Subtle, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018Rezwonk, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2018Rezwonk, Hepburn Road, Bristol, April 2018Rezwonk, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2018Rezwonk, Moon Street, Bristol, October 2017Rezwonk, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2017
It is strange how you can notice something for the first time and then start wondering how long the thing you have just noticed has been there, and so it is with this Sepr commission on the facia sign for Filthy XIII just near the arches on Gloucester Road.
Sepr, Gloucester Road, Bristol, February 2020
On a wet walk to work I spotted this piece and was really rather taken by it. As with all Sepr pieces, the cartoon style character, looking like an illustration from the 1960s is part of an unfolding story involving a dog and some birds and drink.
Sepr, Gloucester Road, Bristol, February 2020
I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of Sepr’s work and my only criticism is that I just don’t get to see enough of it. At least I can enjoy this one every time I walk to work.
Another lovely portrait piece from Lobe, taken through railings at the M32 Spot. You can see the chanelled River Frome behind the pillar. The river passes under the city centre in a culvert, beneath Cabots Circus and Broadmead shopping centres, beneath the old fire station, beneath the fountains in the centre, along towards the Arnolfini, then it is siphoned underneath the floating harbour before eventually discharging into the New Cut. If only Bristolians knew what lies only a couple of meters beneath their feet.
Lobe, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2020
Back to the art and this wonderful face in the typical style of Lobe, that is with thick bold black outlines and strong fills in only two or three shades. I’m not sure if those are eyes or half-moon spectacles. If they are the latter, then they are upside down. More from Lobe to come.
On the news that Greta Thunberg will be visiting Bristol this Friday for her school climate strike. I have given both of my children permission to protest if they wish to add their voices to the campaign. I am rather excited and will be taking an extended lunch break to protest myself.
Natural adventures 