Tag: Bristol

3949. Brunel Way (121)

I have had these pictures lurking in my archive for a little while, and at last find a moment to bring them to you. The column piece (they can be a real pain in the backside to photograph) is by Mudra, and is characteristically rather fun.

Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021

Mudra has painted all the way around the column and on one half is a portrait of a white-haired gentleman compete with moustache (of course) and a little speech bubble with Mudra’s @ signature.

Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, July 2021

On the other half of the column is a hand holding what looks like a match or a candle, but it might be something altogether different. Mudra has a very strong, chunky style which hits you hard and is difficult to ignore. Head-turning stuff.

3948. Upfest 2021 75×75 (62)

This was perhaps one of the lower-key pieces to be painted for the Upfest 75×75 event, tucked away in the car park of the Tobacco Factory. I don’t think I have come across Kappa V Kappa Art before, but it appears that they are a Bristol-based outfit who describe themselves as chaotic, colourful art. I am not sure of the identity of the artist(s) so have used the ‘they’ pronoun to overcome embarrassment.

Kappa v Kappa Art, the Tobacco Factory, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Kappa v Kappa Art, the Tobacco Factory, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

The piece itself, while certainly colourful, I wouldn’t describe as being chaotic, on the contrary, I think that there is a clear form to this delightful abstract piece, bursting with energy. Really rather nice, and I will be looking out for more work from Kappa v Kappa.

Burnham-on-Sea

.

Sleepy seaside town

a Victorian relic

in summer’s last sun

.

by Scooj

3947. M32 roundabout J3 (348)

What an absolutely fabulous classic from Face 1st. It is pieces like this that first led me to appreciate the work of this rather underrated graffiti artist. Face 1st has been relentless in his pursuit of bringing smiles to people’s faces, and with this blue face girl he succeeds perfectly.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021

The colours used are really attractive and easy on the eye, and the typical smiling girl with the letters FACE for hair is pure Face 1st at his very best. I love this piece to bits.

3946. Sparke Evans Park (9)

I really like Eman’s work, he has real depth to his range of characters and writing and appears to be striving to improve all the time. This complex piece of writing on the long wall at Sparke Evans Park documents well his continuous improvement.

Eman, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2021
Eman, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2021

Spelling out EMAN, this is a smorgasbord of colour lines and shading that is a feast for the eyes. He has been working on this style of writing for a little while, and when you see something like this, you can see that the practice is well worth it.

Genesis

.

In the beginning

was a rock band Genesis

last performances

.

by Scooj

* in Birmingham watching ageing rockers.

3945. M32 roundabout J3 (347)

What a pleasant surprise this little combination was a couple of weeks back on my routine scout around the M32 roundabout. Unannounced and unusual, this pairing of Ra and Vee is both welcome and refreshing. Neither artist has been on my radar before, but since seeing this, I note they have painted more pieces on Bristol and the West.

Ra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021
Ra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021

On the left hand utility box is a piece by Ra, whose name and artwork is obviously influenced by ancient Egyptian culture. The god Ra is normally depicted with the head of a falcon, and is male, so this piece is likely to be someone else. Stunning nonetheless.

Veee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021
Veee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021

The smaller utility box has been painted by Veee, and is a bright and cheerful face. The styles of the artists couldn’t be more different, and next to one another you’d never guess that this was a collaborative paint. It seems that these two routinely paint together. I wonder whether their styles ever meet.

3944. Dean Lane skate park (427)

Another Dibz piece in one of his favourite spots. This is a magnificent piece of graffiti writing, made all the better with the appearance of a little Marvin the Martian character, adding interest. Marvin the Martian is a bit of a favourite with street artists and has made several appearances on Natural Adventures in the past.

Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2021
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2021

The colours of the letters are sublime, and the explosive oranges and reds around the border work so well. The Marvin the Martian character seems to have a wonderful 3D quality about him, not a straightforward flat cartoon that you might expect. This is a highly accomplished and stunning piece of writing from the master.

Deamze, Hill Street, Bristol, October 2018
Deamze, Hill Street, Bristol, October 2018

Elvs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2020
Elvs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2020

Dtor, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2020
Dtor, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2020

3943. Upfest 2021 75×75 (62)

In Dean Street, which has always been ripe as a street art spot, is this new piece by Zase for Upfest’s 75×75 event, sits opposite the fine Ments piece I posted a few days ago. Zase is an artist whose large murals, especially around the St Paul’s area, are local landmarks and part of Bristol’s DNA.

Zase, Dean Street, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
Zase, Dean Street, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21

This is a lovely piece of 3D writing has been given a bit of rainforest treatment with the Swiss cheese plant leaves and a toucan. Usually this artist writes ZASE, but in this particular instance it is really rather cryptic, but if you look behind the big red stripe, you can make it out.

Zase, Dean Street, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21
Zase, Dean Street, Bristol, August 2021, Upfest 21

Zase has a bit of a fascination with Swiss cheese plant leaves, and they have featured in his pieces before. Perhaps he has one in his home, and they are always front of mind. He is not alone, lots of other artists paint them too. The drips on the leaves add a little extra graffiti credibility too. A wonderful, vibrant and beautifully painted piece.

3942. The Pump House

At the western end of the floating harbour on the north bank is a pub called the Pump House, a place I have walked past a hundred times but never been in, which probably reflects the fact that I am not much of a pub person, not because I don’t like pubs, but because I have got out of the habit, probably since having children.

Inkie, The Pump House, Bristol, August 2021
Inkie, The Pump House, Bristol, August 2021

Inkie painted this fabulous commission around the same time as he painted his ‘I can’t get you out of my head’ piece for Upfest 75×75. You often see this with Inkie, that when he is in town, he will paint several walls over a few days, before returning to London.

Inkie, The Pump House, Bristol, August 2021
Inkie, The Pump House, Bristol, August 2021

This wall is an absolute gift for Inkie who is known for both his ‘signwriting’ skills and his stylised portraits of women with stunning hair. This whole piece is embellished with some beautiful patterns and flowers and is a ‘must see’ wall for anyone walking the Harbourside circuit. Good on the Pump House for tapping into and supporting Bristol’s fine tradition of celebrating street art and street artists.