5110. M32 Cycle path (204)

Wxttsart, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023
Wxttsart, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023

This is a rather classy piece of writing from Wxttsart which was painted alongside a stunning portrait by Rozalita, and both of them stand out, with red being the dominant background colour used.

Wxttsart, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023
Wxttsart, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023

As always, Wxttsart’s work spells out MILK, although up until recently I have had difficulty in describing the letter style. I think I have almost cracked it though. The uniformity of the letters and stylised script font suggests that the work could be described as calligraffiti, but it also has a slightly abstract feel to it too, so I like to call Wxttsart’s artwork ‘abstract calligraffiti’, which works for me. Whatever you want to call it, it has an impact. Almost time for a gallery of his work – watch this space.

Todoaciem

A gallery of outstanding calligraffiti, from the Bristol-based, Spanish writer Todoaciem, aka Ciem1

Instagram: @todoaciem

All photographs by Scooj

Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, April 2023
Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, April 2023
Todoaciem, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2022
Todoaciem, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2022
Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2022
Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2022
Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2022
Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2022
Todoaciem, Alfred Street, Bristol, September 2021
Todoaciem, Alfred Street, Bristol, September 2021
Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2021
Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, May 2021
Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, November 2020
Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, November 2020
Todoaciem, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Todoaciem, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020
Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020
Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2020
Todoaciem, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2020
Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, September 2020
Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, September 2020
Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, June 2020
Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, June 2020

4752. M32 roundabout J3 (433)

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2022
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2022

This piece is another fabulous tribute to Sear by Stivs. Hidden behind a small tree on the M32c roundabout, this calligrafitti piece brings out all that is best in Stivs, including his compassion for a fellow artist.

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2022
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2022

The rich colours painted on a black background have a rather sombre tone and are perfectly fitting for a tribute piece.  The letters are beautifully proportioned and regular in size, with near-perfect accuracy and tightness. The drips simply add a great finishing touch.

4725. St Werburghs tunnel (311)

Stivs, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2022
Stivs, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2022

It is always tough to lose those we love and care about, and no matter how often it happens, it doesn’t seem to get any easier. Grief is a powerful and important emotion, and through it we remember what we have lost. Stivs has painted several tribute pieces for his friend Sear, and each one is a touching reminder.

Stivs, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2022
Stivs, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2022

This piece, at the farm-side entrance to the tunnel combines Stivs’ calligraffiti with a little bit of landscape in the orange circles. The colours are eye-catching and the whole thing on-point, although the lettering and the circles look a little bit out of balance, but maybe that is just me. A fine tribute from a loyal friend.

4660. M32 roundabout J3 (425)

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022

Stivs has been knocking it out of the park lately, even more so than usual. Following on from his hugely impressive Sear tribute pieces he has created this wonderful birthday shout-out for a friend, Jane Barrow.

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2022

The beautifully colourful letters in calligraffiti style spell out POGE or PAGE, I think, but I don’t know the relevance of the letters. It matters not what they say, because the colours, design and overall composition are outstanding. Can Stivs attain a higher level yet? I expect so.

4650. Dean Lane skate park (520)

Stivs, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, August 2022
Stivs, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, August 2022

Stivs has painted another tribute piece to Sear, and it is an absolute belter. In this piece, Stivs has used his skills at calligraffiti to great effect, creating an astounding backdrop of the word Sear written in patterns. I can’t think how long this would have taken to paint, but it is clearly a labour of love.

Stivs, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, August 2022
Stivs, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, August 2022

The decorative calligraffiti patterns serve as ‘host’ for the magnificent multicoloured ‘SEAR’ in the centre of the piece. The letters stand out proud from the rest of the wall and are a welcome feast for the eyes. It is touching to see how artists have marked the loss of one of their friends. What a great gift a tribute can be.

4609. Cumberland Basin

From time to time, the street art community is rocked by the death of one of their fold. It might be felt by everyone or by just a few close friends. When it happens, it is common to produce tribute pieces for the departed friend, and some artists keep the tribute alive for days, weeks, months or even years, for example Haka keeping the memory of his friend CKone in our minds in most of his pieces even now.

Stivs, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2022
Stivs, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2022

This is one of several tribute pieces for Sear by Stivs, and there are several other tributes about the place. I haven’t ever really encountered Sear before, but he was a graffiti writer and close friend of Stivs’. This piece is a fine tribute, beautifully structured and proportioned and the colour combinations perfect. A work of love.

4565. Dean Lane skate park (508)

Visiting artists are always welcome in Bristol, and how nice it is to see a calligraffiti artist to add to the talents of Stivs and Todoaciem. There is something appealing about writing beautiful letters in beautiful fonts, with accuracy and attention to detail, and Elroy has done a particularly fine job here.

Elroy, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2022
Elroy, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2022

The letters are nicely proportioned, although I wonder if the ‘r’ and ‘o’ could be a little closer to each other. The addition of a twisted rope and a framed pink background add a crispness to the whole piece. I would love to see more from this sign-writer murallist.

4531. M32 roundabout J3 (413)

One thing you can be pretty sure of is that when Stivs creates a piece, it is never sloppy or rushed, the calligraffiti style lends itself to accuracy and precision, and anything that deviates from that simply wouldn’t work. This is a lovely recent piece on the M32 roundabout.

Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2022
Stivs, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2022

The colours are reminiscent of those used in fun fair art, and the style too. The letters are beautiful, spelling out STIVS, and the colours wonderfully matched, but it is the fills and decorations that steal the show on this one. A truly magnificent piece from Stivs

4410. Sparke Evans Park (42)

Mena is obviously a popular lady, and the turnout for her birthday paint jam was exceptional. This contribution from Stivs is an absolute beauty and a fitting tribute to Mena. The writing that spells out Menas is in his wonderful calligraffiti style and this one in particular really stands out.

Stivs, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2022
Stivs, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2022

The colour selection is nothing short of brilliant and possibly quite brave, where the letters, picked out in orange, pink and purple Are complemented by the turquoise surround. Stivs has picked out the 3D shading perfectly with a ‘suggestion’ of colour and stripes. Overall a superbly crafted high-quality piece of writing.