Tag: Ahlberg

4895. St George skate park (18)

Haka, St George, Bristol, December 2022
Haka, St George, Bristol, December 2022

Haka is working his way through characters from the Ahlberg series of children’s picture books and in this wonderful piece on the back of a ramp in St George skate park he has created Grandma Swagg from the book Cops and Robbers, giving it a contemporary twist with the words ‘Cops and Tories’. Ha ha! It is also touching that Haka has paid a little tribute to Janet Ahlberg in the bottom left.

Haka, St George, Bristol, December 2022
Haka, St George, Bristol, December 2022

This is a beauty, on a wall that Haka rather likes, and suits this piece perfectly. I love the way Haka so lovingly and faithfully recreates these characters on a large scale for us all to enjoy. I’ll bet that this one is a real favourite with younger members of the local community.

4779. Horfield skate park (11)

Haka and cats and that, Horfield skate park, Bristol, October 2022
Haka and cats and that, Horfield skate park, Bristol, October 2022

I don’t visit Horfield skate park all that often, but whenever I do go there, it is always rewarding. John D’oh favours this spot, but this time there was a whole ton of stuff from various artists to enjoy, including this collaboration between Haka and Cats and That.

Haka and cats and that, Horfield skate park, Bristol, October 2022
Haka and cats and that, Horfield skate park, Bristol, October 2022

Haka is a favourite of mine, and in this piece he brings us another Ahlberg reproduction of Burglar Bill, this time smoking a rather large cigar. Haka’s painting partner on this occasion is not an artist I know, but Cats and That has added six delightful cats on either side of Haka’s character. The two styles are rather different, but sit comfortably together in this collaboration. I have seen some more cats from Cats and That under Brunel Way recently, I hope that we will be seeing more from the artist. A great surprise from the skate park.

4706. St George skate park (17)

Haka, St George, Bristol, September 2022
Haka, St George, Bristol, September 2022

Haka is making the most out of his enjoyment of children’s books by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, recreating illustrations from some of their best known titles. This cheeky character is Burglar Bill.

Haka, St George, Bristol, September 2022
Haka, St George, Bristol, September 2022

Haka has recreated this piece lovingly from the book and captured the character perfectly. I think that it is really cool that the artist is channelling his bedtime stories with his creative energy and gifting us with these fun and engaging pieces. We, in Bristol, are truly blessed.

4666. M32 roundabout J3 (426)

Haka, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
Haka, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022

Haka seems to be having the time of his life recreating characters from children’s picture books, in particular by the authors Janet and Allan Ahlberg. The writing CKone is a tribute to a long-lost friend and graffiti writer Dan Fenlon who passed away some years ago. Haka has been including his moniker on his work ever since.

Haka, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
Haka, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022

I love the skeleton, from the ‘Funny Bones’ books by the Ahlbergs, and his speech bubble saying ‘let’s go painting’ is just perfect. I am thoroughly enjoying this rich vein of form that Haka is experiencing, and look forward to his next creation.

4629. Sparke Evans Park (51)

Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2022
Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2022

I feel it is only fair to myself that I explain that this week’s posts are likely to be rather short, because I am on holiday. As I write, I am accompanied by the sound of church bells ringing, which seems to happen at 9am every morning. Who needs an alarm clock?

Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2022
Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, July 2022

This is a another fabulous Funnybones piece by Haka, after the genius of the Ahlbergs, author and illustrator of some wonderful children’s books. I believe this is the third Funnybones piece in this spot. I posted the second, and I have a feeling that I have photographed the first, but have yet to publish it. It is all great fun, and long may the tradition last.

Haka, Spark Evans Park, Bristol, February 2022
Haka, Spark Evans Park, Bristol, February 2022

4577. River Avon (31)

Haka has been absolutely smashing it with his Janet and Allan Ahlberg children’s book characters, and here, alongside the river, he has painted a wonderful image of Burglar Bill.

Haka, River Avon, Bristol, July 2022
Haka, River Avon, Bristol, July 2022

I don’t believe that I have read this particular book, but I know my nieces were particularly fond of the Ahlberg books, and I have seen the cover before. Haka’s loving and faithful reproduction of the character is magnificent and captures the Ahlberg style perfectly. No need to sign the piece, knowing that Haka has painted other Ahlberg characters in the area.

4289. Sparke Evan Park (34)

What a fabulous small piece this is from Haka. Anyone familiar with the children’s picture book Funnybones by Janet and Allen Ahlberg will be familiar with the characters, and will struggle not to be entranced by this labour of love.

Haka, Spark Evans Park, Bristol, February 2022
Haka, Spark Evans Park, Bristol, February 2022

The sense of nostalgia is thoroughly awoken with this mural, and although I never read the book as a child, it was one of my children’s and niece’s favourites. The style of the characters lend themselves very well to being upscaled and Haka has been faithful to the original illustrations. I love the mischievous speech bubbles: ‘what shall we do tonight?’ To which the reply is ‘Let’s go painting’. Brilliant stuff, beautifully recreated.