Tag: bird

1011. Upfest 2017 (49)

Mazzi C is an artist whose plain speaking and informative Upfest biography profile tells us that she is inspired by natural organic forms and Oriental art. Mazzie C, from Cornwall (my favourite place) goes on to say that she finds the juxtoposition of natural themes and street art using sprays and inks interesting. Her work is driven by dialetics of nature and urban culture. Well mine too – welcome to Natural Adventures.

Mazzie C, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Mazzie C, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

This small work is subtle and engaging (I want to use the word charming, but it always sounds so patronising). There are several things going on here – the beautiful bird set amongst triangles and stencilled flower patterns, the swirling folds are also really well crafted, almost as if the whole thing is made of cloth. Now I just need to see some of this work on walls!

975. Upfest 2017 (35)

I spoke to many people after Upfest and this incredible macaw was considered to be one of the best pieces of the festival, and it is easy to se why. The composition is perfect, filling the awkward panels with consumate ease, the colours and flow of the feathers is magical, the piece is full of movement and spectacle. Taking a closer look, the work is composed of triangles that come together to create the whole. I love this kind of artistry, and the whole thing shows a creator at the top of their game.

Mehsos, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Mehsos, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

The artist, Mehsos, is from Belgium – something special seems to be going on in Belgium, with Bisser and Dzia also producing outstanding pieces – and generally works with portraiture. It is interesting to read from the UPfest programme notes that Mehsos ‘deconstructs emotions and highlights contrasts both in terms of colour and message level’ I’m not entirely certain what this means, but I like it. One for the top ten.

958. Upfest 2017 (24)

One of the stars of Upfest 2017, and quite rightly so, was Dzia. This incredible artist has been brightening up streets all over the world with his beautifully drawn/sprayed animals with a style so unique and recognisable. We have been lucky enough to get this robin.

Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

On the face of it, his pieces are constructed with lines, almost like doodles that, when brought together, create a magnificent whole. The pieces he creates look like they have come out of an A4 sketchpad and yet they are scaled-up significantly and work just as well. There is often a lot of white space in his work, but again this works in his favour.

Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Dzia, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

This wall had been reserved for Inkie, but for whatever reason he didn’t fill the space, so Dzia got an extra wall and Bristol got this magnificent robin. This was actually his second piece and supplementary to his main piece which is at the Red Point climbing centre. I still haven’t gone there to photograph it yet, but when I do I will be posting it here.

I feel like it is a real privilege to have one of his pieces in Bristol, but to get two is simply being spoilt.

941. Upfest 2017 (15)

Oze Arv was a very busy man during his short stay in Bristol for Upfest. This Portuguese artist from Lisbon uses patterns to mix expression and graphics. His style is instantly recognisable, as you will see as I post all of the work he left behind for Bristolians.

Oze Arv, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Oze Arv, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

This is a lovely shutter piece on North Street, one of two ‘official’ pieces he sprayed for Upfest. Shutters are always hard, but he has been smart with this one, laying down a white background, which lifts the whole piece really well. I think most of his work tends to include the natural world.

Oze Arv, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Oze Arv, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I like the combination of the abstract and natural, I think it works well. I caught up with him for a few minutes, and he seemed like a really nice guy, happy to chat about his work. Lots more to come.

922. Upfest 2017 (5)

I remember well the lovely piece by Fats in the Tobacco Factory at last year’s Upfest. This year she produced another fine work in South Street park, where I was able to catch up with her for a few minutes.

Fats, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Fats, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Fats talked a lot about her background and heritage, which is truly international and mixed, and how her work receives many influences, from Arabic calligraphy to the styles of indigenous Inuit people. Our discussion ventured further into the perils of perceived appropriation and how this can create some tensions. This is a tricky path really. At what point does ‘being influenced by’ transition into copying?

Fats, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Fats, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I am clear that Fats’ work is stunning, and carries many influences that she skilfully executes in her own lyrical way. I see more of the North American influence others may see more Arabic. One thing is clear, she loves her dark drawing lines. I actually really like this piece, and was grateful for her time.

Fats, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Fats, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

874. Upfest 2016 (141)

When blogging about street art, one increasingly becomes reliant on others for information about artists or new pieces and so on. I am grateful to ‘The Art Blogger 54’ for posting this piece recently. Until then, this photograph had been sitting in my pending file, waiting for the artist’s identity. I hadn’t seen the finished piece at Upfest, and so had no signature to go on. I cannot recommend highly enough The Art Blogger 54’s blog, especially if you are into wildlife art and sculpture.

Freshmess, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Freshmess, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

It is by FreshMess, a collaboration between two artists, one of whose style is clean and fresh and the other whose style is erratic and messy. These two have combined beautifully to produce one of the most striking pieces of Upfest 2016.

Freshmess, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Freshmess, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Unfortunately, I don’t think they will be at Upfest 2017, but maybe they’ll visit again another time.

Little big

 

Little Jenny wren

sings her heart out; doing so

she makes mine sing too.

 

by Scooj

862. Greville Road (6)

A rather poor featured image picture of a rather unusual collaboration by Beastie and Decay. This is not the first time these two have collaborated – or rather shared a wall – and I posted this Raleigh Road piece a few weeks back. The picture is poor, because I took it on a bright day with the sun behind the wall…never a good idea.

Beastie, Greville Road, Bristol, June 2017
Beastie, Greville Road, Bristol, June 2017

This shared wall – I use this expression rather than collaboration, because the two works were painted at the same time, but there is little read-across between the two, each having its own distinct style.

Beastie, Greville Road, Bristol, June 2017
Beastie, Greville Road, Bristol, June 2017

On the left is an unusual piece by Beastie featuring what I would describe as a fictional bird (I might be wrong here) near a small woodland and pond. I don’t know if it is symbolic or representative, but it is a rather pretty bird. I love it when artists incorporate the street furniture, in this case a litter bin, into their works.

Decay, Greville Road, Bristol, June 2017
Decay, Greville Road, Bristol, June 2017

On the right, is a nice piece by Decay. His work, arguably, is the most distinctive in Bristol. There is absolutely no way that it could be confused with anyone else. The abstract symmetry and concentric bands of reds, greys, whites and blacks have Decay written all over them. Really good drips here too.

Decay, Greville Road, Bristol, June 2017
Decay, Greville Road, Bristol, June 2017

Overall this is a lovely shared wall, but it will be here only for a fleeting moment as  we approach Upfest at the end of the month, and this wall is a popular one for the festival.

Meeting

.

On my arrival

I am greeted by a young 

pair of goldfinches. 

.

by Scooj

Birdsong

 

Sweetest pair of wrens

disproportionate voices

lightening my heart.

 

by Scooj