122. Dean Lane (4)

I love Dean Lane. It is a road that joins Coronation Road, which runs alongside the New Cut, with North Street, and at its southern end plays host to some of the most creative street art in the area. There is a public swimming pool and skate park on Dean Lane, and both are plastered with graffiti and street art.

Beastie, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016
Beastie, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016

This piece by Beastie is curious. It is a wheatpaste of an Ordnance Survey map that has a sketchy drawing and some spray work on it. Just to add to its quirkiness, somebody has subsequently added a pink sticker.

Beastie, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016
Beastie, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016

I make no secret of the fact that I am particularly fond of wheatpastes, and this one is a beauty.

8/10

117. Dean Lane (3)

On previous occasions when I have tried to photograph this Andy Council whale, there have been vehicles parked, on the grass, right up to it. I finally got a clear shot at it during a recent walk to Bedminster.

Andy Council, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016
Andy Council, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016

The style is unmistakable…a natural form created from architectural elements, usually recognisable Bristol landmarks.

Andy Council, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016
Andy Council, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016

This piece was painted during Upfest 2015 and is one of my favourites by Andy Council.

Andy Council, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016
Andy Council, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016

8/10

115. Raleigh Road, Tobacco Factory (1)

The Tobacco Factory is a fabulous multi-use centre in Bedminster, Bristol. It was saved from demolition by George Ferguson, currently the Mayor of Bristol, and forms a central hub for urban regeneration in the area and is something of a cultural magnet.

The car park has been one of the spaces opened up during the Upfest street art festivals, indeed it more resembles an outdoor gallery than a car park.

Anat Ronen, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2016
Anat Ronen, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2016

This striking piece is by Anat Ronen and was painted as part of the 2015 festival. Anat is a self-taught artist based in Houston who started painting as a way of life only in 2009. Her work is beautiful and I would recommend a visit to her website.

8/10

95. New John Street (2)

I took this picture on a sunny day back in September 2015. This wall is a collaboration between Soker and Cheo, each with their own distinct style. Soker and his wildstyle burner and Cheo spraying a cartoon and the signature bee.

Soker and Cheo, New John Street, Bristol, September 2015
Soker and Cheo, New John Street, Bristol, September 2015

I would guess that Cheo’s work is a selfie of the two of them, but this is only a guess.

Soker and Cheo, New John Street, Bristol, September 2015
Soker and Cheo, New John Street, Bristol, September 2015

7/10

 

Poets Corner

 

We shall aggregate

here and recite our fine verse

for all to admire

 

by Scooj

46. Greville Road

Jodi, who painted this mural, lives in Brislington, Bristol. He is a direct contemporary of Banksy, and started as a graffiti artist in 1987 at the age of 15 at the Barton Hill Youth Club.

Jodi, Greville Road, Bristol, September 2015
Jodi, Greville Road, Bristol, September 2015

He left the graffiti behind him and studied design and is now an established designer and brand consultant. In 2008 he came out of ‘retirement’ and started working on street art commissions. This mural was completed for this year’s Upfest, and is a treat for those who like incredibly detailed and realistic work.

Jodi, Greville Road, Bristol, September 2015
Jodi, Greville Road, Bristol, September 2015

Jodi also took a commission in Millennium Square this year above the drinking water fountain, depicting the source of the water that the fountain is fed from. This commission was part of European Green Capital 2015.

 

43. Dean Lane (2)

I pretty much walked past this small poster, but stopped in my tracks and took a closer look.

23 Magpies, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2015
23 Magpies, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2015

This is a really interesting wheatpaste by an artist called ’23 Magpies’. I think the artist is based in Gloucester, given that most of the works I can find are from there. My guess is that this was posted up during Upfest 2015, as it is only a short walk away from North Street. I have not been able to find out much about the artist, but some other works are shown here.

6.5/10

39. Church Road

Another fabulous mural created as part of Upfest 2105. This huge scene by DANK (Dan Kitchener) above the Salvation Army shop on the corner of Church Street and North Street is worth a trip to the area on its own. It reminds me of some of the street scenes from Blade Runner – and that is a good thing.

Dan Kitchener, Church Road, Bristol, September 2015
Dan Kitchener, Church Road, Bristol, September 2015

DANK, a London artist remains on the legal side of street art, and supports it through the large amount of commercial work that he does. He includes among his influences comics, science fiction films and black and white ’60s war films. There is a good interview with him from a couple of years ago here.

Dan Kitchener, Church Road, Bristol, September 2015
Dan Kitchener, Church Road, Bristol, September 2015

8/10