All the time I am becoming aware of graffiti artists in Bristol that I have overlooked, for no reason other than it takes a while to work out who they are and to be able to recognise their style. One such artist that I have recently been enjoying is Whysayit.
Whysayit, Moon Street, Bristol, January 2017
I don’t know much about him, other than that he tends to stick with wildstyle writing, but it is a very distinctive and original style that he uses. His pieces pop up all over Bristol and tend to be found on heavily graphitised walls…no clean backgrounds for this artist. The letters spell out Y SAY (I think), and this is a particularly colourful and happy work. I am enjoying spotting his work more and more.
Well this is the one really, a very very special piece by Andrew Burns Colwill.
In a modest setting behind the Harbourside shops and restaurants stands a container. Painted on the side of the container is one of the best pieces of free street art in Bristol. It is amazing. I have watched as people shuffle past it without looking and then someone will glance at it and recognise what a magnificent work it is. Certainly one of my favourite pieces in Bristol…ever.
Andrew Burns Colwill, Anchor Road, Bristol, January 2017
There is an elaborate story unfolding in this picture. In the middle we have two figures sitting at an hourglass table playing a game of chess. One is a modern/future man, the other on the left looks to be ancient Mayan or something like that clutching a scroll. There are remnants of a bridge behind them one side built of wood the other of stone, representing the eras these two characters come from, maybe.
Andrew Burns Colwill, Anchor Road, Bristol, January 2017
Then if we zoom out a little we see more of their surroundings. Above them, floating in the air lifted by balloons with faces, is an island with a city – what it represents I am not sure, but some similar motifs were portrayed in Colwill’s Upfest piece from last year. To the right, the ruined stone bridge can be seen in its full glory, and a bomb shell is sticking out of the ground. To the left the bridge becomes closer to its environmental beginnings…more organic, and there are flowers in the foreground.
Andrew Burns Colwill, Anchor Road, Bristol, January 2017
Taking another look to the right we observe evidence of civilisation in the form of a stone city on the hill, married with weapons of destruction.
Andrew Burns Colwill, Anchor Road, Bristol, January 2017
Further to the right still, soldiers are emerging from a war torn forest – looking like a scene from the Great War.
Andrew Burns Colwill, Anchor Road, Bristol, January 2017
To the left hand side we can see pyramids through the mist in the distance, so maybe the red-robed character is ancient Egyptian. On this side too, there are more figures, tribesmen wielding spears lurk in the trees.
Andrew Burns Colwill, Anchor Road, Bristol, January 2017
The whole piece would be a fine addition to any art gallery, but here it is for all to see if only they would look. I believe the picture to be about the struggle between the environment and our close connection to it and the consequences of progress. Now I am no expert and I haven’t had the pleasure of talking to Colwill so my description and conclusion are based on what I see. What do you see? Have you looked?
Back to the Bearpit and some recent work by ObjectØØØ. As always his very individual style carries with it so much emotion and passion combined with political statement. The figures in his work always feel distorted and tortured by struggle against inequity.
Object000, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017
This piece is located at the end of the tunnel where the artificial light meets the daylight, and it is really hard to get a decent photograph, but I have done my best. I like to feature ObjectØØØ’s work whenever I find it because I am fascinated by how much the artist invests himself in his work.
Object000, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017
The commentary is a little ambiguous, but I think I know what he is getting at. Great to see some new work from this unusual street artist.
This is a piece going back to June 2016 by the excellent Epok. I thought I had already posted it, but it turns out that I am both forgetful and wrong…very human and real traits for a gent of my age.
Epok, Unity Street, Bristol, June 2016
As always Epok stamps his singular style on any wall he sprays – great colour selection and crisp clear geometric lines and shapes creating a whole that is very pleasing. Always spelling out the letters EPOK which once you get your eye in can clearly be seen. It is always good to see work from this ASK member and there is more to come here soon.
A few days back, there was something of a graffiti art fest in The Bearpit, and many of the vacant tagged spots were given a makeover, several artists spraying more than one piece during the event.
Mr Klue, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017
This great abstract piece is by the extremely busy Mr Klue and draws the viewer into the mind of the artist – where are those steps leading? A nice quick one from a fine Bristol artist.
Lately it appears that Laic217 has dedicated a huge amount of time to his street art, with pieces popping up all over the place. I am really pleased to see it since I have a soft-spot for his work. Rather excitingly he has just started an Instagram account, which will make it easier to track down his pieces, however there is no biography and he continues to keep himself to himself.
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, January 2017
His works tend to take two forms, the wildstyle writing or burner with a character incorporated, or an image like this one, often demonstrating some kind of distortion…melting or in this example cracked glass (frequently there is a nod to drugs and acid-house music). All the time his work is improving, his concepts developing and the artwork becoming more skilled.
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, January 2017
I think Laic217 tends to spray solo, and unusually for a Bristol graffiti artist, will work in any of the common sites north and south of the river. I am not certain that he belongs to any crew, and I am not aware of any collaborations to date. I am enjoying the journey watching his work unfold. And hey…anyone notice the Feoflip to the left?
Natural adventures 