Avem808 only really came under my radar about a year ago, and since then his work has transformed somewhat and at an incredible pace. I think that he has a bit of time on his hands at the moment, which is why he is able to get out and paint quite frequently.
Avem808, Stapleton Road, Bristol, June 2026
His intricate writing has given way a little to the creation of busy and detailed combination pieces, crawling with characters. Here, his letters in red and pink, which I assume spell out AVEM, are joined by a fez-wearing camel, and a raft of other crazy characters. There is a lot going on in this piece and an awful lot to look at, it is almost overwhelming, but worth dwelling on it for a while to see all the little stories unfold in front of you.
This piece from Haka is simply perfect in every way.
Our country is in a mess, largely thanks to the appalling Government that have been in power for the last 14 years, and their lurch to the right. Their latest culture war that they are waging on the good people of the UK, is that anyone protesting for peace in Gaza and an immediate ceasefire is branded an Islamist, which when you look at it, is absurd. Calls for an end to the war, and indeed countless other wars, are treated as a threat or anti-government, rather than being a cry to stop the needless killing and suffering. What else can citizens do to express their concerns other than protest. I would think that the vast majority of British people are against the war in Gaza, after all what kind of person would want the killing to continue? Only those who stand to gain financially or politically.
In this piece Haka peacefully makes his own statement ‘Free Palestine’, accompanied by a small peace flag. Does this make him a fundamentalist or an Islamist? I don’t think so. Nor does it make any of the other street artists who have painted commentary pieces about the war in Gaza some kind of threat to our British values. On the contrary, British values are based on compassion, fairness, decency, honesty and truth. It is politicians and political leaders who bend these values to suit their own narratives, and in this respect the right wingers have excelled themselves in recent years. Decent people have had enough. We need a change of government, but alongside that we need to return to a united society, because we have some far greater challenges ahead of us which we must face together. There is no room for selfishness any more, that way leads to our mutually assured doom.
Sermon over.
Haka, Peel Street Green, Bristol, February 2024
This piece is beautifully recreated in the style of Dr Seuss and perfectly captures the moment. The innocence of the camel adding to the pathos of the message. Haka has created something both beautiful and powerful and I salute him. This is not a ‘hate’ piece, it is a cry for peace piece.
I don’t know how many iterations of this camel there have been on this particular wall, but I can think of at least four. Feek seems to be the main driving force, often accompanied by 3Dom, behind this themed wall which has incredible ‘foot fall’ or rather, driver-by viewings.
Feek, Albert Park, Bristol, July 2018
The wall is something of a landmark known to most north Bristolians as they journey towards the M32. Here the camel, speaking ‘Bristle’, is set on a background of speakers and draped in Rastafarian colours. Altogether brilliant. Below is a previous incarnation of the wall.
One of the most famous graffiti landmarks in Bristol is in the heart of St Pauls, just off Ashley Road. It is now in its fourth incarnation (I think) and is of a camel, usually saying something in a speech bubble.
Feek and 3Dom, Albert Park, Bristol, May 2017
The piece is by Feek and 3Dom, and when the wall was recently rendered, I had my doubts that the camel would return, but return it did, and it is as fine as any of its predecessors.
Feek and 3Dom, Albert Park, Bristol, May 2017
I don’t quite know why there has been a succession of camels here, but as I said at the start, it has become something of a landmark. Increase the Peace.
Natural adventures 