Tag: Abstract

3509. M32 roundabout J3 (284)

This surely is a collaboration made in heaven. When two artists combine, whose styles somehow mesh together so well, then the outcome is going to be rather special, and this is what happened recently in this fabulous collaboration from Mr Penfold and Zoe Power.

Mr Penfold and Zoe Power, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2021
Mr Penfold and Zoe Power, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2021

I love this, because both artists have contributed to the whole and there are elements of their work evenly distributed throughout the piece. The colours too are a great combination of their individual preferences. I know that I could identify each of the artist’s contribution, but many looking at it would not. Some great ideas and a superb abstract piece. More, please Mr Penfold and Zoe Power!

3486. Brunel Way bridge (89)

Although not a frequent painter, Ments is quite regular, so one’s year is nicely sprinkled with these fine organic pieces. This one was painted as part of a three-way collaboration, including Sled One and Smak from a couple of weeks ago.

Ments, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2021
Ments, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2021

Ments has adapted his style a fair bit over the past year and although still organic and irregular in structure he has moved to a more fluid and metallic look and feel. His pieces are a thing of abstract beauty, and still spell out MENTS. The white triangle reminds me a little of a Voyder piece in London from a few years back. All good.

3421. St Werburghs tunnel (218)

There has been a surge of activity by Mr Klue over the last month, most of it at the farm end of the tunnel which he seems to favour. This one is a tribute piece, and the first of several from an assortment of artists, to the late rapper MF DOOM whose passing in October last year seems to have been made public only recently.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2021
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2021

MF DOOM was famous not only for his music, but also for his face mask which is the central Icon in the tribute pieces being paid to him. In this ephemeral work by Mr Klue, the mask is picked out in the middle in reds and whites, emerging from the wispy swirls all around. A fine tribute piece.

3381. Cumberland Basin

I am writing this on Christmas Eve Eve (last night) and really ought to be asleep, so please excuse typos or nonsense. I have Paul H to thank for this post. Last week I had been down to the river to check out Brunel Way and to walk the dog. On the way back to the car I bumped into Paul and we chatted for a while under darkening skies. I jumped into the car to head over to Dean Lane and then the heavens opened. Just as I got back to the car, Paul called me and said I simply had to get over to the other side of the river by the Create Centre to see a whole bunch of new stuff. I was reluctant because of the rain, and I had to get back to work to chair a Zoom meeting. I had just enough time and braved the weather. It was so worth it too. This is the first piece from a fabulous paint jam from the day before.

Ments, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2020
Ments, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2020

Ments has always been a favourite of mine because of his organic, abstract writing style of which this is a perfect example. It would seem I got there just in time, because such was the force of the rain that some of the paint was running (can that happen?). Thanks Paul, thanks Ments, fabulous piece.

3345. St Werburghs tunnel (211)

I managed to catch up very briefly with Mr Klue as he and Mr Sleven were just finishing off this new piece in St Werburghs tunnel. The turnover of art in this end spot is relatively high because it has a good amount of daylight, and it is always worth photographing something new, because you just can’t be sure how long it will last.

Mr Sleven and Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2020
Mr Sleven and Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2020

This is a true collaboration with the work and styles of both artists blending well together. The character with a TV head and outstretched arms is by Mr Sleven and the wispy orange and red abstract patterning by Mr Klue. These two collaborate quite often together and along with DNT and others form part of COM.64.

The two styles come together really well in this piece and the colours are striking. I like this one a lot.

3265. Brunel Way bridge (66)

I must admit to being very taken by this piece on the wall facing the river, and I have absolutely no idea who the artist is. If I find out at any time I will add the name in because I don’t like posting pieces by unknown artists, but sometimes they are just too good to leave in the archive.

Artist unknown, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2020
Artist unknown, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2020

To me the whole thing simply screams out Matisse with perhaps a touch of Miro, maybe Chagall and is worthy of hanging in any fine art gallery, but is also worthy of a wider reach and audience alongside the Bristol Avon. A lovely piece of abstract street art.

3186. Cheltenham 2020 (4)

One of the nice things about the Cheltenham Paint Festival is the large number of Bristol-based artists that are asked to paint. Mr Klue is a particular favourite of mine. His modest demeanour betrays his obvious talent and unique abstract style

Mr Klue, Paint Festival 2020, Cheltenham, September 2020
Mr Klue, Paint Festival 2020, Cheltenham, September 2020

I am not overjoyed at my hopeless photography. The close-up is a little too close and I have cut off the left hand edge of the piece. This is a colourful piece that probably spells out KLUE, but might not, and presents many of the trademark features we would expect to see in one of his pieces; floating steps, wisps of smoke and coiled cones give the artist away. I am rather taken with the orange ball, a nice feature.

3138. St Werburghs tunnel (180)

I mentioned in my last Mr Klue post that the artist tends to paint in spates with periods of absence interspersed with three or four sessions in quick succession and then all quiet again.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2020
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2020

This is a modest little piece from a week or so ago near the entrance of St Werburghs tunnel. Set on a pink background, the abstract writing swirls about in a semi-solid state, which Mr Klue does so well. Usually his pieces spell out KLUE, but I am not too certain about this one.

3120. Turbo Island

In the last twelve months or so the board at Turbo Island has attracted some fabulous pieces by greatly talented artists and now it is the turn of Tom Miller with his debut piece on this wall. And what an amazing start.

Tom Miller, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2020
Tom Miller, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2020

Tom Miller has been turning out so many pieces since lock down and I have struggled to keep up with them. Some are for fun like this one, but he has also worked on a couple of commissions which is really good, because an artist’s life is a tough one and paid work can be hard to come by.

Tom Miller, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2020
Tom Miller, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2020

There is an abundance of colour and form in this abstract piece and typical of the artist there is a great deal of energy and activity. So much to look at and so much detail, it can be hard for the brain to decipher exactly what is going on, but this is a great strength that Tom Miller has. It is not to everyone’s taste, but I love it.

3102. St Werburghs tunnel (177)

Usually when Mr Klue hasn’t painted for a while (and we are in one of those moments now) his first new piece is often followed up with a spate of creative work and I am hoping that will be the case this time. This new piece is in his favoured spot at the far end of St Werburghs tunnel.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2020
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2020

There is a lot going on in this abstract dreamscape which to understand would probably necessitate the unpacking of the artist’s mind. In amongst all the atmospheric swirls and recognisable elements, such as the lamp post, hat and helmet, there are the letters KLUE… I think. A wonderful piece and worth waiting for.