I think that this is the largest mural I have seen from Bex Glover, and it is an absolute beauty. The recently completed piece is in good company, being adjacent to large works by Gemma Compton and Zoe Power.
Bex Glover, North Street, Bristol, July 2020
Two foxes tail to tail and nose to nose are the centrepiece of this typically ornate piece from Bex Glover, all set on a dark turquoise background. There is a symmetry to the piece that is interrupted only by a few subtle differences. There is a small quote at the bottom of the piece that reads ‘stronger together’, a narrative that has run through the coronavirus epidemic and the black lives matter movement.
Bex Glover, North Street, Bristol, July 2020
The foxes, such an iconic symbol of Bristol, represent the togetherness talked about and convey a positive message. This is a lovely new piece from Bex Glover.
Playful as ever, John D’oh gives us this topical and relevant political piece featuring none other than our dismal ‘leader’ pushing the ‘back to work’ messaging with a little reference to Dick Turpin and his fellow outlaws. Such is the speed of current coronavirus events, and the ineptitude of our administration, that this recent piece is almost out of date as Boris seems to be preparing the nation for a second lock down.
John D’oh, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020
I am always amazed at how quickly John D’oh manages to conceive, create and spray his pieces. He is a modern chronicler of political events and his vehicle is street art. I like this piece, and there is more to come from JD’s visit to Purdown Battery soon.
I got lucky taking the dog for a walk a few days ago because I just caught Ryder as he was putting the final touches on this wonderful piece of graffiti writing. In the car opposite was T-Rex and their new baby… they start them young in the graffiti way in Bristol. He stopped for a chat and it was really nice to catch up – I always feel rather surprised and touched when these guys remember who I am, but I remind myself that they are all really decent folk.
Ryder, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2020
The piece itself is a big bold chrome on pink piece of writing and is shit hot in my view. Proper writing from a proper writer painted with confidence and class. It was this piece that prompted me to publish a gallery of his work last week. Keep ‘em coming.
By god I think he’s got it. After a few months of experimenting with an organic fluid style, Ments has triumphed with this piece down in Cumberland Basin. It is beautiful, stylish and classy and just shows where practice and creativity can get you.
Ments, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2020
I could rave about this piece all day, but it is difficult to know exactly where to start. Ments usually writes the letters MENTS in his work, but I am struggling to find any letters in this piece, instead we are presented with a free-form abstract piece that is simply a pleasure to look at. I am so looking forward to where this journey is going to take us.
Every now and then we take a walk up at Purdown because it is a wonderful open space for the dog. When we get there he just runs and runs and then runs some more. There is an additional interest for me, which is the twenty or so 6×6 walls which occasionally get a makeover. This one is by the fabulous Conrico.
Conrico, Purdown battery, Bristol, July 2020
I haven’t seen too much new stuff from Conrico of late, so this was a nice surprise. For the dog lovers, I think the ‘sniffin balls and hittin walls’ phrase will resonate. I like the freedom in Conrico’s pieces, they somehow feel much more like conventional paintings rather than spray art, the sign of a good artist. Woof, woof.
We don’t get to see early enough work from Flava136 in Bristol although the artist tends to keep himself pretty busy in Cheltenham where he lives, so when you come across a piece it is always a nice surprise.
Flava136, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2020
Flava136 always creates these pieces which are incredibly clean, and by that I mean the lines are sharp and the fills nice and solid. In style I would say there is some similarity with Nevergiveup’s rabbits. I love these toothy monsters and think that Flava136 is a classy artist.
I think that this might just be my favourite mural from Mr Penfold to date. I like everything about it. The proportions seem to work really well, the colours, the balance the designs and the shadows come together perfectly in this bright abstract piece.
Mr Penfold, Merrywood Road, Bristol, July 2020
Because Mr Penfold generally works to commissions, we don’t get to see nearly enough of his distinctive brand of abstract work on the streets, but for him to do so would probably erode his strong commercial brand. I really love this piece.
Natural adventures 