Tag: Abstract

4514. Nelson Street (15)

Felix Braun (FLX), Nelson Street, Bristol, June 2022
Felix Braun (FLX), Nelson Street, Bristol, June 2022

Anyone who visits the centre of Bristol can’t have missed that there has been a lot of redevelopment work going on in Nelson Street, Broad Street and the surrounding area. This rather seedy backwater has, over the last two years undergone a bit of a face lift and is being opened soon as a huge, 250 bedroom, hotel owned by the Clayton chain. Let’s hope they can find enough workers to staff it! Unlike many developments, this one has retained some significant existing murals and commissioned a new one by the old master, Felix Braun.

Felix Braun (FLX), Nelson Street, Bristol, June 2022
Felix Braun (FLX), Nelson Street, Bristol, June 2022

Felix Braun or FLX is one of the godfathers of Bristol street art and author of the book ‘Children of the Can’ a ‘must-have’ for enthusiasts of the Bristol scene. His artwork has taken on a highly designed stylised look in recent years, and this huge mural is a gorgeous reminder of his talent. Abstract figures at the base of the piece draw your eyes in before sending them upwards towards the giant figure and it’s shadow. There is something very pleasing about the piece overall, and it is great to see FLX’s work in the heart of the city.

4497. St Werburghs tunnel (295)

More abstract fantasticness from Mr Klue, who after a long absence from the streets has now hit a rhythm and it turning out some lovely pieces in the St Werburghs tunnel on a regular basis.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2022
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2022

This one is in his prime spot, which I am sure will have made him very happy, and reintroduces another of his recurring themes, floating stairs or steps. I don’t quite know the significance of the steps, but Mr Klue uses them in a lot of his work. A stairway to heaven perhaps? Such is the new productivity of the artist, I am struggling to keep up with posting his work, especially with Upfest and a trip to Porto to report on. Never been so blog-busy.

4449. Lower Approach Road (11)

This hoarding is so difficult to photograph. it is a long landscape format with tons of light above and below, which interferes with the brightness of the artwork. it doesn’t seem to matter what time of day I take pictures here, I am never really satisfied. I think I might just have got away with it with this stunning sunflower piece by Farrah.

Farrah, Lower Approach Road, Bristol, May 2022
Farrah, Lower Approach Road, Bristol, May 2022

What an amazing welcome for people arriving in Bristol Temple Meads station, as they exit from the front of the building and walk or drive out to join the main road. Farrah’s paint brush style lends itself very favourably to the textures and forms of Van Gogh, and this is a perfect example.

Farrah, Lower Approach Road, Bristol, May 2022
Farrah, Lower Approach Road, Bristol, May 2022

Farrah is the darling of commissions in Bristol at the moment and deservedly so too I might add. This is an absolute corker and another fine example of her unique work.

4419. M32 roundabout J3 (407)

By the time I got to it, half of this collaborative wall had been taken out, within 24 hours of being painted, fortunately, this part by Mr Penfold survived. It can be frustrating when pieces are overpainted so quickly, but everyone who paints in Bristol knows the score.

Mr Penfold, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2022
Mr Penfold, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2022

The work in this piece is so obviously by Mr Penfold, and needs no signature. Nobody else in Bristol creates these amazing abstract pieces. This one is a little different from some of his work, for example there are no shadows of any of the shapes, and it all feels a little bit more random than usual. Great to look at, and although short-lived, magnificent while it was there.

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.

4055. Richmond Street (4), Weston-super-Mare

Farrah is an artist who I have only been aware of only for a short time, after her stunning Upfest piece from earlier in the year. Since then, I have noticed a lot more of her work about the place, possibly because I am now following her on Instagram and have been looking out a bit more.

Farrah, Richmond Street, Weston-super-Mare, September 2021
Farrah, Richmond Street, Weston-super-Mare, September 2021

This outstanding mural in Weston-super-mare was part of the Westonwallz initiative, ably assisted by Upfest, and is called Oxygen. Definitely a topical piece given the COP26 talks at the moment. Farrah’s works are inspired by the natural works an have a calm and inspiring quality about them. This particular piece seems a little incongruous sited above a pizza and kebab joint, but perhaps it brings with it a touch of class, which is never a bad thing. A stunner, for sure.

4047. Brunel Way (130)

This wall under Brunel Way was taken over a couple of weeks back by the Bristol Women’s Collective in a fabulous paint jam which resulted in several small and very interesting pieces. This one is by Billy, and really ticks a lot of boxes for me (in other words I like it).

Billy, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2021
Billy, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2021

The abstract design, inspired by a swirly rug in Old Market, obviously, is simply painted and presented, but combined with the words tells a wonderful story and encourages the mind to wander into the market and imagine. An unmistakably Billy piece, and fabulous at that.

4040. M32 Spot (122)

I always like finding new artists and recently, a few columns under the M32 have become a bit of a playground for Typo, so expect to see a few posts in coming days from this artist.

Typo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2021
Typo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2021

Typo’s work is certainly rather different and is largely abstract in form, often accompanied by quite a lot of political or philosophical text. This colourful piece however has no words, other than the artist’s name cleverly incorporated into the overall design. Watch this space for a whole load more.

3991. Upfest 2021 75×75 (69)

Although access to this wall can be a little limited, it is possible to photograph it reasonably well – I haven’t yet been to the spot when the gate was open into the yard, so my pictures are offset, taken over/through the fence. It is a new wall for Upfest, and they really must be congratulated on sourcing so many new walls for this year’s extended event.

Farrah, Greville Road, Bristol, September 2021, Upfest 21
Farrah, Greville Road, Bristol, September 2021, Upfest 21

The mural, entitled, ‘World on Fire’ is by Farrah and my first impressions are very much that the work resembles the style and colours that Vincent van Gogh might have used, although this is purely an abstract piece. It is beautiful, and the eye is pulled around the piece, drawn into the battling and swirling patterns and colours.

Farrah, Greville Road, Bristol, September 2021, Upfest 21
Farrah, Greville Road, Bristol, September 2021, Upfest 21

This is the largest piece I have seen by Farrah, and the first to have made it on to Natural Adventures, but definitely not the last. I don’t know too much about the artist, but her informative Facebook page is worth a quick look, and her Instagram profile offers this insight:

Paintings inspired by the natural world and delicate ecosystems of our beautiful planet, from fragile coral reefs 💦 to the lush green rainforests 🍃.

Watch this space for more

3972. King Street (4)

I got distracted last week looking for an old piece by Irony that I had never posted and came across this old archway piece from Mr Penfold in King Street. This spot ‘belongs’ to Mr Penfold, and every year or two he has a go at repainting it.

Mr Penfold, King Street, Bristol, July 2018
Mr Penfold, King Street, Bristol, July 2018

This incarnation is rather less abstract than most of his work, and you can make out a jug or vase and some ears of corn. If I am honest, I’m not sure if this is one of his best pieces, but it is nice to be able to add it to the collection of his other King Street work.

Mr Penfold, King Street, Bristol, May 2017
Mr Penfold, King Street, Bristol, September 2020
Mr Penfold, King Street, Bristol, August 2019