1998. M32 Spot (37)

Well I think we all know where Zake’s favourite place to spray his work is. I think all but one of my posts have described his work on these columns under the M32 leading into Bristol. This one is recent, and he has signed it much more boldly, unlike some of his earlier pieces which were difficult to identify. Maybe he is becoming more confident in his statements now.

Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019

There is something a little ghoulish in his characters, but particularly in these two, with the white of their eyes prominent and the slightly strange idea of one of them spewing out of the mouth of the other. He seems to use the column space really well, which is a skill in itself. I only wish that I could find a good time of day to come and take pictures. I expect it would be best at night with a flash, because the bright light during the day plays havoc with the camera’s automatic settings.

Sled One

A collection of the most extraordinary character street art and graffiti writing by Bristol artist Sled One.

Instagram: @sledone

All photographs taken by Scooj

Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2024
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2024
Sled One, Greville Smyth Park, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Sled One, Greville Smyth Park, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Sled One, Coach and Horses, Bristol, March 2024
Sled One, Coach and Horses, Bristol, March 2024
Sled One, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023
Sled One, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023
Sled One, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, October 2023
Sled One, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, October 2023
Sled One, M32 roundbout, Bristol, August 2023
Sled One, M32 roundbout, Bristol, August 2023
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2023
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2023
3Dom and Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, April 2023
3Dom and Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, April 2023
Sled One, Lighthouse Community Garden, London, April 2023
Sled One, Lighthouse Community Garden, London, April 2023
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2023
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022
Sled One, Elton Street, Bristol, September 2022
Sled One, Elton Street, Bristol, September 2022
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2022
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2022
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2022
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2022
Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2022
Sepr and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristtol, April 2022
Sepr and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristtol, April 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2022
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2021
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2021
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2021
Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2021
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, December 2021, Upfest 21,
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, December 2021, Upfest 21,
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2021
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2021
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2021
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2021
Sled One, St George, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, St George, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2021
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2021
Sled One, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Smak and Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Smak and Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
Smak, Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Smak, Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020
Sled One, John Street, Bristol, September 2020
Sled One, John Street, Bristol, September 2020
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2020
Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2020
Tom Miller, Smak and Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Tom Miller, Smak and Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2020
Sled One, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2020
Sled One, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2020
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One and Ments, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One and Ments, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019
3 Dom and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
3 Dom and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, July 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2018
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, December 2018
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, December 2018
Sled One, Thomas Street, Bristol, October 2018
Sled One, Thomas Street, Bristol, October 2018
Sled One, Brunel Way Bridge, Bristol, September 2018
Sled One, Brunel Way Bridge, Bristol, September 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One and Smak, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One and Smak, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018
Sled One, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2017
Sled One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One and Epok, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
Sled One and Epok, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
Sled One and Smak, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016
Sled One and Smak, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016
Sled One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Sled One, St Werburghs Tunnel, Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, St Werburghs Tunnel, Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2017
Sled One, Magdalene Place, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One, Magdalene Place, Bristol, December 2016
Ments, Sled One, Epok, Peal, Meds, Wilder Street, Bristol, February 2017
Ments, Sled One, Epok, Peal, Meds, Wilder Street, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, September 2016
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, September 2016
SledOne, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
SledOne, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2016
Sled One and Epok, Armada Place, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One and Epok, Armada Place, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, October 2016
Sled One, M32, Bristol, July 2016
Sled One, M32, Bristol, July 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016
Sled One, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, M32 Roundabout,Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, M32 Roundabout,Bristol, June 2016
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, June 2016
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, St Werberghs, Bristol, May 2016
Sled One, St Werberghs, Bristol, May 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, April 2016
Sled One, Ashley Road, Bristol, 15 April 2016
Sled One, Ashley Road, Bristol, 15 April 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015
Sled One, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Sled One, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

1976. Upfest shop yard

I guess this piece by Pelmo is something of an exclusive, as it was painted on the practice wall at the back of the Upfest shop, and is therefore not on public display.

I took the picture a week or two after I had sprayed my own very first effort on this exact wall, and went back to the shop to see if it was still there. Sadly (but not unsurprisingly) my amateurish effort had been buffed over, but I was honoured that it should have been replaced by such a fine artist as Pelmo.

Pelmo, Upfest shop yard, Bristol, July 2018
Pelmo, Upfest shop yard, Bristol, July 2018

I don’t really know what the protocols are around publishing pictures from this wall, but on this occasion I think I’ll take the risk, mainly because I am a big fan of this artist’s work. His work often contains these, oversize and overweight people with a love and sensitivity that can be difficult to gauge without offending. Pelmo does this brilliantly. A wonderful forgotten piece.

Scooj, Upfest shop, 8 July 2018
Scooj, Upfest shop, 8 July 2018

1884. The Bearpit (169)

Even though it is becoming more difficult to find clean walls to work on in The Bearpit, and the Council are taking more of an interest in artistic activities, some of Bristol’s finest are still able to make their mark. This is a fine piece by Nevla.

Nevla, The Bearpit, Bristol, November 2018
Nevla, The Bearpit, Bristol, November 2018

What makes this quite unusual for a Nevla piece is the inclusion of colour. Most of the work I have seen before has been two or three colours only. I don’t know if this is a budget driven thing or a fast getaway thing, but this time he seems to have branched out a little. His cartoon style continues to keep up a happy and light-hearted perspective in this little corner of Bristol.

1853. Hebron Road (1)

I think this one from qWeRT goes back to roughly the time of Upfest 2018 and is pasted on a door, along with multiple other wheatpastes – you can see one from Losthills just to the left – that is opposite one of the Upfest feature walls.

qWeRT, Hebron Road, Bristol, June 2018
qWeRT, Hebron Road, Bristol, June 2018

I am always happy finding qWeRT wheatpastes, it is a little bit of a game to hunt them down, and I am pretty safe in the knowledge that there are others in Bristol that I have yet to find. The googly-eyed character is in loving mode in this piece.

1843. Upfest 2018 (84)

I think I might have said this last year, but somehow Upfest wouldn’t feel like Upfest without a presence from Cheo. One of Bristol’s most established graffiti writers and character street artists, his work is always of the highest quality. Judging from his Instagram account, I think he prepares these pictures on his computer and then recreates scaled up versions, which lends itself to his very clean style with solid fills.

Cheo, Upfest, Bristol, October 2018
Cheo, Upfest, Bristol, October 2018

I have seen these characters a few times before. I never quite know what they are, frogs? toothless crocs? monsters? your guess is as good as mine. The writing has a feel of Japanese script to it and from time to time Cheo uses this. I really don’t know what it says, but would guess at CHEO, although I can’t see it myself. He finishes the whole thing off, of course, with one of his signature bees. All good.

1806. Hepburn Road (8)

In the little lane that used to be the drug dealing centre of Bristol until a police clampdown some eighteen months ago is this little door and on it a small piece from Nevla. I’ve not seen any of his work for a while now, so it was good to come across this recently.

Nevla, Hepburn Road, Bristol, October 2018
Nevla, Hepburn Road, Bristol, October 2018

I am a big fan of his cartoon characters, nearly always in black and white and set on a solid colour background. There is a simplicity about the pieces and usually a little bit of cheeky humour about them. If you look carefully, you can see another face by Nevla just to the left of the door.

1761. Upfest 2018 (55)

At last year’s Upfest, one of the most distinct cartoon pieces was by the brilliant Kid30, and this year he has followed up with this rather gory, but equally excellent piece. His work is so very crisp and clean and the shadows work well to lift the characters up from the background.

Kid 30, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Kid 30, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I think Kid30 has a bit of a thing for stitching, and his characters and often stitched in a bit of as Frankenstein monster way. I guess it is probably better not to delve too deeply into the artist’s mind to understand what is underlying here, rather just to sit back and admire his talent.

Kid 30, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Kid 30, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

The speech bubble is rather fun too, which brings me to a question which is why is it always blah, blah, blah and not Blah or Blah, Blah or even blah, blah, blah blah? The symmetry of three.

Kid 30, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Kid 30, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

1749. Dean Lane skate park (170)

I arrived at this piece a little too late to see it in its original condition. It had been a collaboration between Mr Draws (in the middle) bookended by Tasha Bee. However, before I managed to get to see it, Oner had made a little contribution of his own.

Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2018

I have to admit that I rather like Oner’s burners. There is a certain honesty about them, unpretentious but nicely turned out and often just a little bit edgy. Tasha Bee has rapidly made it into my group of favourite Bristol artists with her stylised characters and pretty flower motifs.

Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2018
Tasha Bee, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2018

She is very prolific, and even today on a long walk with the dog I found a couple more of her pieces. There is something rather spiritual about her characters, it might be something to do with the simplicity of the lines or the closed eyes or the little peace and love signs, I’m not sure, but they ooze serenity. It is a pity I didn’t see the Mr Draws bit in the middle, but I can imagine it.

1744. M32 roundabout J3 (96)

This piece has been around for a little while on the M32 roundabout, tucked in between a couple of bushes. I don’t know the artist – presumably Skot, and my efforts to try and track him/her down have led me to several Skots, the most likely being Skot One who I think is from London.

Skot One, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, September 2018
Skot One, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, September 2018

I rather like this piece, both the writing which is beautifully executed and the character. It is a long time since I last saw Andy Capp, but it seems the cartoon strip is still running. A nice touch and nostalgic reference.