6118. St Werburghs tunnel (428)

A quick couple of posts today, because I am writing this in advance of my niece’s wedding party today, and have a rather squeezed timetable. There is something rather special happening with Benjimagnetic’s work at the moment, and I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what it is, but he seems to have stepped up a level recently, with some great designs and a cleaner look to his pieces.

Benjimagnetic, St Werburghs, Bristol, June 2024
Benjimagnetic, St Werburghs, Bristol, June 2024

This one in the tunnel is an absolute belter and the colour selection is sublime and may, in part, be what is contributing to his new level. Ordinary Benjimagnetic writes BEN, but I am struggling a little to read this piece. I am very much enjoying this strong surge of pieces from Benjimagnetic.

6084. M32 Cycle path (267)

 

Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024
Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024

It is great to see Benjimagnetic out and about again after a bit of a winter lull. He appears to have returned with a slight upgrade to his style that feels rather fresher and is exciting. The colours of this piece shout out loudly and attract the eye, with the orange splashes rounding things off so well.

Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024
Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024

The letters BEN can be seen if you know to look for them. Benjimagnetic is known for his tidy designs and styling made up of thin lines, which can be seen throughout this piece. Well finished and classy, this is a lovely piece by the artist, and a taste of things to come.

5771. Purdown (65)

Benjimagnetic, Purdown, Bristol, December 2023
Benjimagnetic, Purdown, Bristol, December 2023

I recognised the style, but couldn’t put a name to it when I first saw and photographed this classy piece up on Purdown. I had to do a google search when I got home and then the penny dropped that ‘Sentinel 793’ is the music moniker that is used by Benjimagnetic, so here is a piece using his graffiti writing skills to promote his music skills.

Benjimagnetic, Purdown, Bristol, December 2023
Benjimagnetic, Purdown, Bristol, December 2023

I guess this cross advertising worked to a degree as I have just been listening to some of his tracks, and although not really my cup of tea, they are nicely produced. The writing and the dancing character in particular, are, on reflection, easy to spot as Benjimagnetic pieces in retrospect. The blue and gold colours work really nicely together in this unusual piece.

5759. M32 Cycle path (247)

Benjimagneic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2024
Benjimagneic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2024

I wasn’t expecting this and it took me a minute or two to work out that it was by Benjimagnetic, which in retrospect is utterly obvious. I think that the absence of colours threw me a bit, as most of his work is pretty colourful.

Benjimagneic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2024
Benjimagneic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2024

The letters spell out BEN and the piece is signed Ben, so I don’t know how I was being so thick – sometimes we don’t see the wood for the trees. There is a simplicity about the piece, which is an avenue that Benjimagnetic has been following of late, moving away from his busy explosive pieces that I am more used to seeing. I have to say I am enjoying the transition. A fine piece of graffiti writing.

5545. M32 roundabout J3 (514)

 

Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2023
Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2023

I have spent the morning thus far cleaning up the moderate mess left behind after Miss Scooj’s 19th birthday party – a few friends over before clubbing. As any parent will be heard to say many times in their lives ‘where did all the time go?’. Feeling very old today.

Helping to keep me as young as I can be is the love I have for street/graffiti art, and far from being a bind, writing this blog keeps me inspired, invigorated and happy.

Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2023
Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2023

Benjimagnetic is keeping his work ticking over with the occasional piece here and there and this recent one on the M32 roundabout is a fairly calm and modest piece. Sometimes his work is busy and frenetic, but he has gone back to basics with this one. The letters spell out BEN, although perhaps somewhat disguised, with green fills and a skilfully worked yellow border/drop shadow. The vertical lines in purple and pinks add interest, without which the piece might be unexceptional. A lovely sober piece from Benjimagnetic.

5362. M32 roundabout J3

Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2023
Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2023

Super-quick one this morning, travelling day. Benjimagnetic has painted this super piece on the M32 roundabout, full of vibrancy, colour and movement. It probably spells BEN, I think I can see it, because that is what he tends to write.

Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2023
Benjimagnetic, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2023

This might be the most colourful Benjimagnetic piece that I have seen – perhaps he was using up dregs. All the signature elements are here in this piece. Gotta go. Normal service should resume tomorrow.

5111. St Werburghs tunnel (363)

Benjimagnetic and Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023
Benjimagnetic and Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023

Now this is a proper mash-up collaboration, a conflation of two distinct styles from two outstanding artists, Benjimagnetic and Hemper. It is rare to find something of this nature where the artists fully collaborate so that the whole piece is one, and not two.

Benjimagnetic and Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023
Benjimagnetic and Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023

Although it is one combined piece, it is possible to disentangle which artist painted which bits. Broadly speaking the letters with straight bits and geometric elements are by Benjimagnetic, and the more curvy elements are likely to be by Hemper. It doesn’t really matter who painted what, because the end result is a wonderfully complex piece of writing that is jam-packed with great artistry.

5093. St Werburghs tunnel (359)

Benjimagnetic, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023
Benjimagnetic, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023

It was a quiet walk with the dog, there wasn’t much new to look at in the tunnel, except for this lovely piece, that probably says BEN, although I can’t see it myself, by Benjimagnetic. Perhaps I should have asked him, because I bumped into him while he was painting it.

Benjimagnetic, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023
Benjimagnetic, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2023

I’m not sure what the phrase “There’s gaps in your galaxy” means, but it must have some relevance. The design work in Benjimagnetic’s writing is superb and the layers of patterns and shapes disguise the letters brilliantly. Although this is a small piece, it is a little gem, and still there in the tunnel last time I looked (two days ago).

4929. M32 Cycle path (193)

Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022
Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022

A constant high-performer in Bristol is Benjimagnetic with his highly disguised abstract letters that usually, but not always, spell out BEN. This nice little reminder o0f his talent is on the M32 cycle path, immediately below the motorway. It is a good spot to paint if there is light rain or the threat of rain, as it has a bit of an overhang to shelter under.

Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022
Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, December 2022

Benjimagnetic always chooses a clever colour palette and then works his magic, rather like a choreographer, placing each of the elements and details in exactly the right place, to create a pleasing end product that can be viewed superficially or in more depth. A nice piece from the artist.

4831. Cumberland Basin

Benjimagnetic, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Benjimagnetic, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

I have a feeling that this piece by Benjimagnetic, alongside an Acer One piece hidden behind a bush, has been here for a while, but that I have only recently clocked it. I can’t be everywhere all the time, right.

Benjimagnetic, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Benjimagnetic, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022

Cryptically spelling out BEN, This is a lovely, colourful piece from the artist with beautifully defined components, crisply sprayed, making up the letters, and some very clever and subtle shadow work that lifts some of the letters and arrows away from the wall. Lovely work.