Tag: Art

153. Picton Street

Anyone who wanders around the streets of Bristol, particularly in the Montpelier area, cannot fail to have seen works by the wonderful Alex Lucas. They are everywhere, and together with her designs, they have become somewhat synonymous with the identity of Bristol itself. I posted this back in November 2105.

Alex Lucas, Picton Street, Bristol, March 2106
Alex Lucas, Picton Street, Bristol, March 2106

Nearly all of her work that I have seen includes portrayals of animals, often in anthropomorphic poses. Unlike most of the street artists I feature, Lucas is very much on the legitimate/commission-based side of brightening up our streets, and although some might perceive this as lacking in edge, Bristol would be greatly diminished without her outstanding pieces.

Alex Lucas, Picton Street, Bristol, March 2106
Alex Lucas, Picton Street, Bristol, March 2106

I only clocked this one walking home last week with some friends. I think it must be reasonably new. I should think Picton Takeaway are thrilled. Alex lives opposite in a house decorated in her own style, deserving of a post in its own right.

The quote from Oscar Wilde is perfect. Oh yes, and there is another Fox!

8/10

151. Ashley Road (2)

This hoarding, on the corner of Ashley Road and Picton Street is a favourite of mine; the pieces here never last long, but they command attention due to the great location. The first time I ever saw one of Tom Miller’s works was here. Regrettably I didn’t photograph it and then it was gone. Right now the hoarding belongs to Aspire.

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Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2016

This piece appeared earlier this week, and in my view, is one of Aspire’s best so far. I am not sure what species the bird is, but it doesn’t look like a British one.

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Aspire, Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2016

With the improving weather, the turnover of street art is on the up, and I really look forward to Monday mornings to see what has changed.

8/10

150. Armada Place (2)

It seems hard to believe that I have notched up 150 posts of Bristol street art already. It wasn’t meant to become a ‘thing’ but it has somehow crept under my skin. Mrs Scooj is underwhelmed by my interest in urban art, but I have the bug, and it gives me great pleasure.

This is one of two new pieces by Bristol artist Aspire. His works, mostly of birds, are truly beautiful and at this time of year entirely appropriate and the Spring gets a foothold and lightens out hearts. This is a ‘tui bird‘ an endemic bird of New Zealand – not something we usually see in the Stokes Croft area.

Aspire, Armada Place, Bristol, March 2016 - Tui Bird
Aspire, Armada Place, Bristol, March 2016 – Tui Bird

I have featured two other Aspire works previously, a robin (and who doesn’t love robins?) and another bird (I’m not sure what species).

Just wonderful. 8/10

149. Mina Road Park

In September 2014, Bristol was lucky enough to be visited by Colombian street artist Stinkfish. This beautiful and unmistakable portrait can be found in St Werburghs, one of several bohemian districts in Bristol.

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Stinkfish, Mina Road Park, Bristol, March 2016

His other iconic Bristol work is the centrepiece of Stokes Croft, which I have featured previously.

Stinkfish, Mina Road Park, Bristol, March 2016
Stinkfish, Mina Road Park, Bristol, March 2016

This piece is still looking very fresh and brightens up this small urban park just north of the M32. It really is a stunning image.

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Stinkfish, Mina Road Park, Bristol, March 2016

8.5/10

148. Midland Street (2)

I think that this street and its immediate surroundings are my favourite places for viewing great street art. It is a quiet backwater, and the walls are perfect to spray and easy to photograph.

Deamze, Midland Street, Bristol, March 2016
Deamze, Midland Street, Bristol, March 2016

This new piece by Deamze is just so good. A wildstyle burner and so much more, just beautifully executed. Deamze manages to get fantastically clean lines and his choice of colours seems to be never ending.

Deamze, Midland Street, Bristol, March 2016
Deamze, Midland Street, Bristol, March 2016

The crocodile and robot characters just add that little bit extra to this great piece. There is another wonderful burner right next to this one, and once I am certain I know who it is by, I will feature it too.

Deamze, Midland Street, Bristol, March 2016
Deamze, Midland Street, Bristol, March 2016

8/10

147. Stokes Croft, the Carriageworks (4)

So Tom Miller has been busy once again, as have many other street artists. Quite a few new works are appearing around Bristol at the moment, and I think that the better weather combined with weekends is seeing a lot of popular walls getting a refresh.

Tom Miller, Stokes Croft, Bristol, March 2016
Tom Miller, Stokes Croft, Bristol, March 2016

This is another wild and wonderful piece from Miller and beautifully combines the material world with dream like unreality. As I have said before, I am a fan. This work replaces one by Silent Hobo that I wrote about back in December 2015. It is a worthy replacement, but I am very pleased to have captured its predecessor.

Tom Miller, Stokes Croft, Bristol, March 2016
Tom Miller, Stokes Croft, Bristol, March 2016

8/10

144. Chapter Street

I took a long walk home after a very tricky meeting yesterday, and cheered myself up with taking a new route through St Pauls. My reward was this superb mural by Silent Hobo.

Silent Hobo, Chapter Street, Bristol, March 2016
Silent Hobo, Chapter Street, Bristol, March 2016

This area of St Pauls really is Silent Hobo’s heartland, and barely a street goes by without one of his pieces brightening up a wall or shop front.

Silent Hobo, Chapter Street, Bristol, March 2016
Silent Hobo, Chapter Street, Bristol, March 2016

This work, I think, is my favourite. Not only is it beautifully executed, but the subject material is a fabulous reflection of what Bristol is all about. Some artists portray Bristol with architectural landmarks; Silent Hobo tends to present Bristol through cultural references.

Silent Hobo, Chapter Street, Bristol, March 2016
Silent Hobo, Chapter Street, Bristol, March 2016

For the more observant among you, there is also a beautiful tribute to Mibsy.

Silent Hobo, Chapter Street, Bristol, March 2016
Silent Hobo, Chapter Street, Bristol, March 2016

8/10

142. Brookfield Avenue

In a sleepy side street just off the Gloucester Road by the Bristol Flyer pub is one of the most wonderful and colourful collaborations in Bristol. This triptych embraces the distinct styles of three local artists. Epok, 3Dom and Voyder.

Epok, Brookfield Avenue, Bristol, February 2016
Epok, Brookfield Avenue, Bristol, February 2016

Epok is renowned for his futuristic wildstyle burners. 3Dom introduces fantastical characters to his works and livens up walls all over this part of the City. Voyder is usually associated with faces as centre pieces surrounded by other works. In this instance though it would appear that the artist has also opted for a wildstyle burner.

3Dom,Brookfield Avenue, Bristol, February 2016
3Dom, Brookfield Avenue, Bristol, February 2016

The whole wall looks like it has been set on its side and would appear to have a continuous thread from left to right (or bottom to top). The clouds are on their sides in 3Dom’s and Voyder’s pieces. I have tried looking at it sideways, but am none the wiser about what it all means…not that it matters really. I love this wall and visit it quite regularly, just to look.

Voyder, Brookfield Avenue, Bristol, February 2016
Voyder, Brookfield Avenue, Bristol, February 2016

8.5/10

140. The Bearpit (4)

An unusual post this time. Several new pieces have appeared in the tunnels at The Bearpit over the last few weeks all of them signed ‘Decay’. They have been joined by a burner on the practice wall in Ashley Road in Stokes Croft.

Decay, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2016
Decay, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2016

These wonderful abstract street art works are eye catching and refreshingly different.

Decay, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2016
Decay, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2016

So far my attempts to find out more about ‘Decay’ have been fruitless, but if I do find out any more I will post it here as an update.

Decay, Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2016
Decay, Ashley Road, Bristol, March 2016

‘Decay’ has certainly been busy, and I look forward to seeing more pieces around Bristol.

 

138. North Street, Workout (1)

ATM is something of a bird specialist, although I featured his wonderful bee near the entrance of @Bristol back in  July 2015. In that post I referred to ATM working on a piece for Upfest 2015. This is that piece.

ATM, North Street, Bristol, January 2015
ATM, North Street, Bristol, January 2015

ATM is a tireless campaigner for a better understanding of the plight of our wildlife and he has given several interviews about his work – here is a lovely one from Inspiring City.

ATM, North Street, Bristol, January 2015
ATM, North Street, Bristol, January 2015

This hand painted image of a hen harrier is typical of his work, and although most of his work is to be seen in London, there are several in Bristol…check out Leonard Lane, for example.

7.5/10