1369. Upfest 2017 (148)

As with many of the pieces from the Aston Gate site at Upfest, I never got a picture of this completed work by London-based artist Woskerski.

Woskerski, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Woskerski, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I have seen and posted a piece of his from Leake Street tunnel in London about a year or so ago but have not seen any more of his work since, so it was great to see this photorealistic piece at Upfest.

Woskerski, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Woskerski, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Adjacent to the face wearing the 3D specs Woskerski has added some wildstyle writing, which demonstrates the versatility of this artist, who also paints under the name Methyl. Just a pity I didn’t get a final shot.

1368. Upfest 2017 (147)

I am not sure that Annatomix sprayed a wall  or board at last year’s festival, and if she did, I didn’t see it. However, she did leave a couple of nice paste ups for us to enjoy.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

This super wheatpaste features a fox and rabbit created in the unique ‘paper-fold’ style that Annatomix likes to use in her painting too.

Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Annatomix, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

This is one of the things I love about Upfest…all the ‘unofficial’ offerings from great artists.

Thaw

.

Long snow-lined hedgerows

stand proud in the warming sun

seeing off winter.

.

by Scooj

1367. Upfest 2017 (146)

One of the wildest pieces of Upfest 2017 was this great work from the Goopmassta, who himself was one of the most colourful characters. A visitor from the United States who came over to Bristol with a loose posse of other artists.

Goopmasta, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Goopmassta, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Unfortunately, as with many pieces in Ashton Gate, I didn’t get a clean shot of the finished piece, but even from the featured image you can get a feel for this free and happy piece.

Goopmasta, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Goopmassta, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

The style of the piece is really rather seductive and eyecatching, and I can almost imagine the character being some kind of central figure in a children’s book…with a little bit of edge. Really nice work.

1366. Upfest 2017 (145)

It was impossible to ignore this extraordinary face by Rast ot Upfest 2017. Situated on the long hoardings at Ashton Gate, the bright colours and striking face drew you in.

Rast, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Rast, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Originally from Spain, Rast has been living in Bristol in 2014. I must say that I have not come across his work before, but surely would lioke to see more of it in the various locations around Bristol that I vsist.

Rast, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Rast, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Northern white rhinoceros

.

Farewell dear Sudan

your tough skin was not enough;

the end of the line.

.

by Scooj

  • On the news that the last male northern white rhinoceros was put down yesterday he is survived by his daughter and granddaughter. His passing is a loss that is emblematic and the world will feel a little bit less complete. A sad day indeed.

Duck billed platypus

 

Extraordinary

eclectic cluster of the

Animal Kingdom.

 

by Scooj

1365. Upfest 2017 (144)

What a treat. Longstanding readers will know that I am fond of wheatpastes and this little bricked up window at the end of North Street was an absolute treasure trove.

D7606, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
D7606, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

At the top is a D7606 telephone box with David Bowie strutting his stuff. I have written about a larger version of this in Stokes Croft in a previous post. All around this vibrant paste up is a collage of black and white pieces by D7606 and C3.

Losthills and C3, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Losthills and C3, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Underneath the telephone box sitting snugly side by side is another playful Jake the dog by Losthills, this time dressed up as a wonderful hippie. On Jake’s right is a subtle but lovely paste up by C3…but there is more…

Losthills, C3 and Jimzina, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Losthills, C3 and Jimzina, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

…pan back slightly and to the right of the C3 is another Jimzina menu-woman to add to the several I have already posted, and let’s not ignore the Goopmasta sticker (more from him in a couple of posts). All in all a lovely wall.

1364. Upfest 2017 (143)

This unusual and rather haunting portrait, on the hoardings in Raleigh Road, is by the amazing Wasp Elder.

Wasp Elder, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Wasp Elder, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Rather than try to write something clever about his style, that I am not over-familiar with, I thought I’d quote his biography straight from the Upfest programme, because it so perfectly describes what is going on in this picture.

‘Wasp Elder paints pictures populated by enigmatic souls and unstressed backgrounds, enticing a sentiment of an obscure journey.

His drawings, paintings and films present an evocative combination of solitary figures, collaged scenes, close-ups, obscured features, and potential catastrophe.’

Wasp Elder, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Wasp Elder, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

It is a fine piece and was in stark contrast to the rather more lighthearted pieces on the rest of this hoarding, lending weight to the wonderful diversity of street art. I like this a lot.

 

 

Coelacanth

 

Most ancient order

of lobe-finned fish enwrapped

with thick scale armour.

 

by Scooj