I guess I am about half way through my posts from Upfest 2016, and I don’t think I will have finished posting them until Upfest 2017! I am becoming overwhelmed by the number of pictures I have in my archive and am not sure how best to share them with you. Less of the rambling writing might be a blessing for you and more shorter posts each day…but that could risk graffiti fatigue, and I wouldn’t want you to be bored with increased posts. I have to say though that this is quite a pleasant conundrum, which would be all the better if I didn’t have to work!
Voyder, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016This is a great piece by the magnificent Voyder, who was given two prominent walls for Upfest 2017, Writing his name on this one, and writing ‘Bristol’ on the other. Both were sprayed in the same style. Voyder is certainly one of the most brilliant artists in Bristol, if not the country. His work never ever disappoints, and he is constantly exploring different genres and designs to write his name. So much good stuff coming from him.
For years, I have been marveling at the incredible 3D pavement works created by street artists and shared through digital media. I used to enjoy these, even before I was interested in street art…they are absorbing and technically brilliant.
Leon Keer, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Until this year, I had never seen a 3D street piece in the flesh, so it was a genuine thrill to see Leon Keer’s work dominating the Tobacco Factory car park.
Leon Keer, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Leon Keer was born in Utrecht, the Netherlands in 1970, which makes him almost as old as me, which is cool. He is described as a pop-surrealist artist and is known for his canvasses and his 3D street art.
Leon Keer, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Leon Keer has a brilliant website, which I strongly recommend you take a look at. It features not only his 3D art, but also some of his paintings, which I find rather compelling.
Leon Keer, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
The amazing thing about the 3D art is that it only works from a specific viewpoint. Observed from anywhere else and it looks quite bizarre, as you can see from some of these pictures. This was another highlight from the festival, and something quite different.
This really is an astonishing wall by Kleiner Shames. It is outstanding not only in its sheer scale, but also in the colours and designs incorporated. The mural seems to be telling several stories.I love Kleiner Shames’ work, indeed I have some of it hanging on my walls at home. Rather than string out a laboured description of each photograph I will simply show them below as a series of pictures, taken from left to right of the mural. Simply superb work.
Kleiner Shames, Backfields Lane, Bristol, September 2016Kleiner Shames, Backfields Lane, Bristol, September 2016Kleiner Shames, Backfields Lane, Bristol, September 2016Kleiner Shames, Backfields Lane, Bristol, September 2016Kleiner Shames, Backfields Lane, Bristol, September 2016
Natural adventures 