In death we find life
nothing ever goes to waste;
a new beginning.
by Scooj
1789. Upfest 2018 (65)
What a wonderful clean and colourful piece by Bristol-based Zase. There is rather a nice little story going on in this piece, and I love the sketch on the floor of the 3D writing of the artist’s name that appears on the right hand side of the piece.
Zase has been painting solo for a little bit as his collaborator Dekor returned to his homeland for a while. It looks like this is by both of them, or at least it is signed by both on the bottom left-hand side of the piece, so maybe Dekor is back on the scene again. There is a serenity and maybe sadness about the piece, which is certainly one of my favourites of the festival. Oh yeah, and if you wanted evidence of the rain we had, the picture above is a little on the watery side…grrrrr.
1788. Upfest 2018 (64)
A rather saucy work from Dirtystreetart raised a few eyebrows, including mine, at Upfest this year. It complemented the pieces to the left (Guts) and to the right (Decay) by adopting the name badge as its central theme. A lot of artists do this and I have a whole load of ‘Hello my name is…’ photographs in my archive.
I do rather like this although I am a little puzzled by the overall message of the piece. I think that Dirtystreetart is from Cheltenham and has collaborated in the past with his friend Decay. It is also possible that SF Crew (Super Fresh) is this same pairing.
1787. Upfest 2018 (63)
My oh my this is a very fancy stencil indeed by the incredible RTC from Cheltenham. You would have been hiding under a rock not to know that the subject of this piece is film director Tim Burton surrounded by some of his creations – besides which, just in case we didn’t know, attributes a quote to Burton at the bottom of the piece. “One person’s craziness is another person’s reality“.
I cannot imagine just how long it must take to prepare this multi-layered stencil, which has such amazing fine detail, but it is all utterly worth it. I can only gaze on in disbelief. Bravo! champion of the art of stencilling.
I had a go at spotting all the films in the piece…
Batman – Mars Attacks – Edward Scissorhands – The Nightmare Before Christmas – Sleepy Hollow – Alice in Wonderland – Beetlejuice.
1786. Upfest 2018 (62)
I might have mentioned before that there were a lot of shutter pieces at this year’s Upfest and this mysterious piece is by French artist Kaldea Nakajima. I don’t know too much about her or her work, but have found her creative website that hosts some of her work.
I rather like this female portrait with octopus-like tentacles for hair, and a wonderful halo signifying what I’m not quite sure. The lips are very Japanese, and I wonder if there is some influence there, judging from her surname. Altiogether an unusual and calming piece.
Thursday doors
Door 50
Montone, Umbria, Italy.
Only one door for you this week, but it really is a pretty special door. Sited at the base of the ‘prigione e torre dell’orologio’ (prison and clock tower) at the north end of Piazza Fortebraccio in Montone, this rather small ancient door opens into a prison cell.
I am not sure how old the door is, but the tower dates back to the 14th Century.
More doors next wek I hope.
by Scooj
More fabulous doors at: Thursday Doors – Norm 2.0
John D’oh
A collection of fantastic stencil art by Bristol street artist John D’oh
Published on 17 October to celebrate the publication of his new book “Street Art and Graffiti” – Buy it here
All photographs taken by Scooj
1785. Upfest 2018 (61)
This might be the most high-profile piece at Upfest 2018 and was possibly the most photographed wall of the festival. It is by the outstanding duo Nomad Clan whose fisherman and octopus wowed visitors at last year’s event.
This piece combines two themes for the festival in a beautiful way; The Simpsons and Bristol Women’s Voice celebrating 100 years of the first women getting the vote. Lisa Simpson is the perfect choice as a champion for women and I think this piece is entitled #bemorelisa. All walls have to start somewhere and this one starts with a grid.
Nomad Clan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Nomad Clan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Nomad Clan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
The whole thing took about three days to complete and is a real tour de force from Nomad Clan. They really do excel at these large walls and seem to have the capacity to paint them with such apparent ease.
It is easy to see just why this was such a popular piece at the festival from the sheer scale, but for me it is the Lisa Simpson that leaps out, there is something about her face and eyes that works for me.
I am not sure who the other character is, but with the loud hailer, it is obvious that this is all about Women’s voice. An impressive work, although I am probably more fond of last year’s piece.
1784. Waterloo Place (3)
Adjacent to the Sofa Project back yard is another yard that is a bit of a street art goldmine. First up from this little backwater is this gorgeous piece by Voyder, characteristically sharp and of very high quality.
With a vanishing point somewhere behind the lettering this piece stands out from the wall and the flash across the middle gives the impression of a reflective band of sunlight as if the piece is being tilted side to side. Now sunlight…that would make a refreshing change. Beautiful piece of writing as always.
He and I
I didn’t want him
I didn’t want him at all
but now I’ve got him
we walk together always
with mut(t)ual disrespect.
by Scooj
Natural adventures 