On the 15th October 2016 The Bearpit played host to an international exhibition entitled ‘Resiste’. The exhibition featured the works of the Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaco, Mexico. I will cover this exhibition in more detail in a forthcoming post, but today I will focus on the participation in the exhibition by Bristol’s magnificent Aspire.
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2016Aspire has sprayed many birds in The Bearpit, but perhaps none so eye catching and appropriate to the immediate context as these two beautiful humming birds. The Bearpit is awash with Mexican protest street art, but these humming birds bring some tranquility to the overall atmosphere.
Aspire, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2016Yet another example of Bristol street art at its best, working alongside other cultures, movements and politics. The Bearpit is such an interesting cultural space, often rather controversial and edgy, but never boring.
This is a small piece by the wonderful Bristol street artist Face F1st whose works are always centered on a styalised face each one with a different decorative feature. In this one he has placed a small octopus on the face’s head. This is a political anti-Brexit piece which is articulated clearly, and the octopus represents the Brexit narrative ‘brainwashing’, which appears to be stifling any intellectual debate about what kind of Brexit British citizens might want (in particular the 48% who voted against).
Face F1st, Stokes Croft, Bristol, October 2016I like all of Face F1st’s work and enjoy spotting them, they always feel slightly understated and he tends to select untidy walls to spray. Face Fist belongs to the PWA crew, Pirate Wall Art which includes Soap. Looking forward to more from PWA and Face F1st.
At one end of Dighton Street there are two small walls which look like they had once been rather fancy gateways and which have since been filled in. They offer street artists an opportunity to spray a pair of related works should they wish to do so, as the spots come as a pair and are separated by a stone wall of about 20 feet.
Deamze, Dighton Street, Bristol, October 2016Deamze is the latest Bristol-based street artist to occupy these walls with his recognisable vertically elongated Deam Ask style of burner. His colour selections are once again striking and emphasise his clever use of shadowing the lettering.
Deamze, Dighton Street, Bristol, October 2016The previous pieces here had been sprayed by Sepr, and were a couple of my favourite works of last year. I will miss them, but turnover on this wall has been very slow, and they had a long run out. Now it is the turn of Deamze.
A week or so before Haloween, this scary clown appeared in Stokes Croft. Now I am the first to say that I am not a big fan of the scary clown thing that seems to be sweeping the nation at the moment, but I really like this piece.
Dose?, Stokes Croft, Bristol, October 2016
The artist is unknown to me, and I can’t find out anything about him anywhere. He signs himself ‘Dose’ or ‘Dase’ and was responsible for this fabulous ghost cat a few months ago, in exactly the same spot.
Dose?, Stokes Croft, Bristol, October 2016
His works are so clean and beautifully executed…really fine work, but they also have some menace, some edge, which for me is one of the things I love about street art. I wish I could find out something about him (I know it is a he, because I have seen images of him painting the cat on the internet, but the photographer/blogger also didn’t know who he is).
Dose?, Stokes Croft, Bristol, October 2016
If anyone reading this can put me out of my misery and knows who the artist is, please leave a comment at the end of this post. Scary clowns…they really are scary.
This is one of the most beautiful and sensitive pieces that I saw at Upfest this year. The artist, Sokar Uno has created something really touching and outstanding. This is without doubt one of my favourite pieces from this year’s festival.
Sokar Uno, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Sokar Uno is a young German artist who has been painting and illustrating since he was twelve. Clearly he is very talented.
Sokar Uno, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
There is a wonderful explanation of the approach he takes to his art on his excellent website which is really worth a visit.
Sokar Uno, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
I am thoroughly taken with his ‘classical’ style and would really love to see more of his work. I fear I might have to travel to Berlin to see it though. It is a real privilege to see him at work in Bristol.
This is one of the slightly more bonkers pieces from Upfest this year. Surreal and vivid, it absolutely makes me smile every time I look at it. Unfortunately I never got to see the finished work, but I was pleased to get some pictures of the artist at work.
Jimmy Duggan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016Jimmy Duggan is from the Isle of Man, and is the only Manx artist I have come across so far. He has an interesting Facebook page for his art work, which gives you a real feel for his expressive and creative work. I would dearly like to see more of his stuff in Bristol, but I think it unlikely. Maybe next Upfest?