Tag: Billy

5040. St Werburghs tunnel (355)

Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022
Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022

This magnificent piece by Billy is almost exactly a year old, and although it didn’t last long, it is a poignant reminder that Ukraine is not the only country suffering at the hands of Russian aggression. As Billy says to the left of the piece: “‘My home’ Drawing by a boy from Syria in a workshop I once did – Billy”

Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022
Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2022

Billy’s naive style lends itself very well to replicating the work of children. This composition has a clear message that is delivered with utter simplicity. The horror of war on the left, and the green and pleasant place we call home on the right. When thee two forces meet, there tends to be only one winner. This piece could equally well apply to any war zone, but it somehow feels appropriate to post it on the day after the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Thank you, Billy.

4672. The Paintworks (3)

Billy, The Paintworks, Bristol, August 2022
Billy, The Paintworks, Bristol, August 2022

I have not posted many pieces from The Paintworks wall, which is a bit of a shame really, so I will try to change that if I can. This is a very nice abstract piece from Billy, full of colour and character, as you would expect from the artist. The wall is a little bit grubby, which suggests that the piece has been here for some while.

Billy, The Paintworks, Bristol, August 2022
Billy, The Paintworks, Bristol, August 2022

Billy always manages to create uplifting work, and the combinations of shapes and colours carefully slung together in this piece work well for me. The other thing I like about this piece is that it is nicely framed with a black border that helps us to focus on the art within it.

4430. Greenbank (35)

Pretty much my favourite collaborations are those between Billy and Merny, their naive styles complement each other so well and they both tell fabulous stories with their paintings. This collaborative wall was painted a couple of weeks ago.

Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022
Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022

To the left, as is usually the case with their collaborations, is Billy’s piece, that claims ‘it used to be different here’. It would appear that the piece is a commentary on the huge development that is going on on the other side of the hoardings. The woman in a strawberry dress, overlooking a new housing development, has the look of a Dick Bruna character, the artist who created Miffy the rabbit. Everything about this piece is perfect… the story, the artwork and the location.

Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022
Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022

To the right of Billy’s piece is a rather bleak message from Merny in which a man, perhaps a teacher, is pointing at words on a board that read ‘no one cares’. I would suggest that maybe this is a reflection of the troubled times we live in where we have  an inept and out of touch government that is looking after the interests of the wealthy. The signature numbered labels create interest and humour to the piece.

Billy and Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022
Billy and Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, April 2022

What a fabulous collaboration from these two. I was pleased to get photographs as often their pieces don’t last long, which is both irritation and disrespectful.

4341. Greenbank (35)

So far, this year has been a good one for Billy, with her joint exhibition at the Centrespace gallery, and a series of inspirational pieces, such as this recent storyboard piece at Greenbank.

Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

The cartoon-style storyboard is split into four segments with the narrative saying ‘I don’t shut up, I grow up, and when I look at you, I throw up’. My reading of the piece is that is is a criticism of our Government and Boris Johnson in particular at the refugee fiasco and National embarrassment brought upon us by their hostile approach to people in need.

The piece is beautifully illustrated, I love the world maps on the girl’s t-shirt, and other details like that, cleverly presented in her naive style. A really great piece from an artist whose work I am really enjoying right now.

Billy

A gallery of fabulous murals from Bristol artist Billy Colours, BILLY BIÜY

Instagram: @billycolours

all photographs by Scooj

Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Billy, Leonard Lane, Bristol, March 2022
Billy, Leonard Lane, Bristol, March 2022
Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2022
Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2022
Billy, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2021
Billy, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2021
Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2021
Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2021
Billy, Muriel Alleyway, Bristol, May 2021
Billy, Muriel Alleyway, Bristol, May 2021
Billy and Sepr, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Billy and Sepr, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2021
Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2021
Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2020
Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2020
Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2020
Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2020
Morny and Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Merny and Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020

4305. Leonard Lane (31)

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside. Leonard Lane could hardly contrast more with a seaside scene, which helps this gorgeous mural stand out by Billy. Billy Colours, to give her her full name, together with Mr Penfold and Rtiiika, decorated the wall opposite the Centrespace Gallery at which they were exhibiting alongside Zoe Power, Merny and Beth Kirby in mid-February. Regrettably, I never made it to their show, which I am gutted about, but I have a busy life and things like that often fall outside the ‘to do’ list.

Billy, Leonard Lane, Bristol, March 2022
Billy, Leonard Lane, Bristol, March 2022

The naive style and simple captions tell such vibrant stories in a direct and honest way. It might sound patronising to say that her pieces are charming, and I definitely don’t want to be patronising, so to say they have a spellbinding charm about them might be a better way to say it. Lady in a hat as a caption works very well for me, and this piece left me feeling happy.

4284. M32 roundabout J3 (388)

A week or two back , Billy and Merny had a great time painting a few spots. I love it when these two get together as their naive style shines a bright light on the incredible diversity of art in Bristol. Their work is always full of messages and commentary, usually reflecting the contemporary political landscape.

Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2022
Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2022

This piece would seem to be a dove of peace, and perhaps the colours selected represent both Ukraine and Russia, locked in an horrific war of dictator Putin’s making. It is the written message that is so powerful in this piece, recognising that these are dark times and that the National mood is low. Billy simply says ‘I hope you are ok’. I hope we are ok too.

4047. Brunel Way (130)

This wall under Brunel Way was taken over a couple of weeks back by the Bristol Women’s Collective in a fabulous paint jam which resulted in several small and very interesting pieces. This one is by Billy, and really ticks a lot of boxes for me (in other words I like it).

Billy, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2021
Billy, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2021

The abstract design, inspired by a swirly rug in Old Market, obviously, is simply painted and presented, but combined with the words tells a wonderful story and encourages the mind to wander into the market and imagine. An unmistakably Billy piece, and fabulous at that.

3841. Greenbank (13)

Although it isn’t something that should be too much remarked upon or even overthought, there is a really large contingent of female street artists in Bristol, which probably goes against the stereotype of being the province of young male delinquents (a stereotype that is so misinformed I might add). One of the regular ladies wot paint is Billy, whose colourful murals never disappoint.

Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2021
Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2021

This one on the long wall at Greenbank is particularly beautiful and calming. The message is simple and positive, ‘a nice flower in the park’ and the bold shapes and design a pleasant antidote to wildstyle writing or photorealism. This naive style of street art is equally valid and often very powerful in its simplicity and voice. Lovely work from Billy, once again.

3712. Muriel Alleyway (2)

Billy is an artist whose work I really admire and enjoy. Her childlike naive style betrays a clever storytelling ability through art and words that make her pieces talk. Add to that the wonderful colours that she uses with such freedom and you have a vibrant and meaningful piece of art that we can all relate to.

Billy, Muriel Alleyway, Bristol, May 2021
Billy, Muriel Alleyway, Bristol, May 2021

In this wonderful little lane in Brislington, Billy brings us a ‘wish you were here’ postcard-style holiday piece featuring a sunbathing nude and a curious blue character on a beach next to the sea. I wonder if this is more about our past reminding us what a holiday actually looks and feels like. It has been such a long time for us all since out last proper holiday. First world problems!

A wonderful and enjoyable piece.