7942. Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham

Zinzinahh and Gent48, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, September 2026
Zinzinahh and Gent48, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, September 2026

I have mentioned in previous posts that on a recent work trip to Birmingham, I was lucky enough to pass by some street art spots on my way back to the station, after the workshop I led. One area, Smallbrook Queensway and the Ringway Centre appears to be in decline, with most of the shops and commercial spaces in this 1960s building boarded up. Needless to say that most if not all of the boards have been painted, and I would say some years ago – possibly an artefact of the impacts of Covid lock downs.

Zinzinahh and Gent48, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, September 2026
Zinzinahh and Gent48, Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, September 2026

One artist in particular, Gent48, appears to have exploited this ‘canvas opportunity’ more than most, with several pieces, including this collaboration with graffiti writer Zinzinahh. The collaboration is a good one, dating back to 2023, and still in fairly good condition. The character by by Gent has an eye in the palm of his hand – there is a story there I am sure. The writing is beautifully executed, but I am not particularly familiar with either artist and can’t provide much background or context, preferring to enjoy the collaboration as a visitor.

7939. Frome Side (70)

Serm and Sub, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026
Serm and Sub, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026

This is a rather unlikely collaboration between Serm and Sub. I haven’t seen either collaborate with anyone, other than Sub with Bloem, so I had to look twice to make sure I had seen this right, which I believe I have. Infortunately there is a lot of glare on the photographs, a constant problem with this wall under the M32.

Serm, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026
Serm, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026

Both artists have written their own letters in their own style, but what this makes it a collaboration is that each has incorporated a character, Tom and Jerry, which are interacting with one another. On the left, Serm has painted some beautiful green letters with a deep reddy-brown drop shadow and Jerry the mouse making a quick escape from the clutches of Tom.

Sub, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026
Sub, Frome Side, Bristol July 2026

On the right, Sub has overlayed his large SUB letters with Tom the cat in hot persuit of Jerry. Although both characters vary a little from the cartoon originals, they are recognisable and add some humorous content to these two pieces of graffiti writing. A decent fun collaboration.

7934. River Avon (130)

Hire and Stivs, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026
Hire and Stivs, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026

This is an interesting and well worked combination collaboration alongside the river from Hire and Stivs. Hire’s graffiti writing is to the left and a combination of writing and a portrait by Stivs on the right.

Hire, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026
Hire, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026

Hire writes ODIAH most of the time these days, having moved on from the previous HIRE letters used in the past. The piece does hark back a little to when Hire used to produce very spiky pieces, and the combination of greys, black and red work very nicely.

Stivs, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026
Stivs, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026

Stivs has painted the portrait centrepiece, which has anime cartoon overtones and is accompanied with the words “If you use your head, even sweets won’t make you fat”.

Stivs, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026
Stivs, River Avon, Bristol, September 2026

The final bit of writing, spelling STIVS, is written in a soft calligraffiti style adopting the same colour scheme as used by Hire with the inclusion of some blue. A fine collaboration.

7915. Dean Lane skate park (941)

Fade and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2026
Fade and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2026

This is another in a very long line of collaboration pieces from Fade and Dibz, and of the high quality expected from the pair. Fade has painted a pirate and the wildstyle writing is by Dibz.

Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2026
Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2026

Fade’s pirate character is full of deep perspective and armed to the hilt with a pistol, cutlass and a bomb in his right hand. There is a treasure map at his side and a chest floating in the water. A brilliant cliched scene.

Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2026
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2026

In contrast to the character, although ‘on message’ with the theme, Dibz’ writing is explosive, and appears to spell out Hoa Fader, but I can’t be sure. As you might expect the piece is near perfect, with every element superbly designed and presented. Nice work from the pair.

7914. Cumberland Basin

Posh and Zeks, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2026
Posh and Zeks, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2026

Greetings from Greece. After a very long travelling day we have arrived, and I am stealing a few moments before my wife and daughter have woken up to write a couple of quick posts. This is a beautifully balanced combination collaboration by Posh and Zeks.

Posh and Zeks, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2026
Posh and Zeks, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2026

The writing in the centre is by Posh. I might assume that is spells POSH, but I am more likely mistaken. His writing is so beautifully complex, with outstanding fills and connectivity, taking on a sketch-like quality. He has even included a little character face to the right. The decorative ‘towers’ around the writing are by Zeks, whose newly found zest for painting them, I imagine, might have only just begun. A lovely collaboration in modest tones. Great fun.

7861. Brunel Way (366)

Shade One, Fade, Dibz and Sikoh, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026
Shade One, Fade, Dibz and Sikoh, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026

This is a fabulous production collaboration painted back in June this year by Shade One, Fade, Dibz and Sikoh. It is a difficult wall to photograph in its entirety at the best of times, because of the light incursion creating reflections at different times of the day. These four really are the crème de la crème of their field.

Shade One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026
Shade One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026

Starting at the left, Shade One has painted an incredible cartoon realism portrait of a futuristic woman wearing pink-tinted glasses with gold rims. I’m not quite sure what the apparatus on her head is all about, but it is imaginative and creative. The pink surround creates a grerat hard defined edge to the portrait.

Fade, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026
Fade, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026

Next up is some graffiti writing from Fade which I think reads SMOOTER and is likely dedicated to a friend. There is little more I can write about Fade and his work that I haven’t already written many times before. Precise and perfectly presented like the adjacent piece by Dibz.

Dibz, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026
Dibz, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026

The third piece in this production is by Dibz and mirrors the writing by Fade in terms of colours and to a point style. I cannot for the life of me decypher the letters, but that is wildstyle writing for you, it is intended to be disguised.

Sikoh, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026
Sikoh, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, June 2026

Moving on finally to Sikoh, one of the most talented artists around, in my view. He has overlaid his piece on top of Dibz’ writing, bringing it forward and lifting it from the wall. The colours match Shade One’s bringing about a symmetry to the whole collaboration. Here a tortured skull, part human part machine appears to be yelling out, whether in pain or rage  it is difficult to know. So full of movement expression and perfectlky painted. What a collaboration!

7736. Dean Lane skate park (930)

Awkward and Benjimagnetic, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2026
Awkward and Benjimagnetic, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2026

I’m not sure I have seen Benjimagnetic and Awkward collaborate since last year, but here they are in fine fettle, on the side wall of the swimming pool, tucked behind a bushy fence, well out of sight of most passers by.

Awkward and Benjimagnetic, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2026
Awkward and Benjimagnetic, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2026

The letters in this collaborative piece are by Benjimagnetic, and I can’t for the life of me read them. He normally writes 3 letters, so this is quite different. The cheeky, creepy red and yellow characters are by Awkward and augment the letters really well. A nicely integrated collaboration from the pair.

7695. M32 roundabout J3 (775)

Silent Hobo and Logoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2026
Silent Hobo and Logoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2026

Silent Hobo and Logoe have been painting together for a few years, and are obviously paint buddies. The first of their collaborations that I photographed was way back in April 2017, but I imagine they had been painting together for some time before that. This is a wonderful, colourful combination collaboration.

Silent Hobo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2026
Silent Hobo and Logoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2026

The character by Silent Hobo, looks like he is standing in the face of a force 9 gale with his cap blown off, his hair pushed backwards and his hands in front of his face. I am guessing that this force is coming off Logoe’s bright writing.

Logoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2026
Logoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2026

This beautiful script writing by Logoe was painted on a recent visit that was a precursor to the pair painting for Upfest (to come). Perhaps this was a practice session, although these two don’t really need much practice to be fair. The script letters spell Logoe and are decorated with vertical pink and bronze stripes. The piece is set on a white patterned cloud with purple borders. Altogether this is a high-impact collaboration.

7680. River Avon (121)

Mr Sce and Buser, River Avon, Bristol, May 2026
Mr Sce and Buser, River Avon, Bristol, May 2026

Mr Sce and Buser have collaborated before in Bristol, in pretty much this exact spot, from recollection. This time they were part of a wider paint jam which had something of a jungle theme, which has carried through into these pieces beautifully.

Mr Sce, River Avon, Bristol, May 2026
Mr Sce, River Avon, Bristol, May 2026

This blue and gold macaw, by Mr Sce is a beauty. Parrots of all types are a favourite of street artists, and when I have run out of new material to share I can do special posts featuring parrots or dogs or cats or specific cartoon characters – food for thought. Mr Sce has captured the attitude of this macaw really well, and done a great job.

Buser, River Avon, Bristol, May 2026
Buser, River Avon, Bristol, May 2026

Buser paints in Bristol a littler more often than Mr Sce, but still isn’t quite what I’d call a regular. This is a tidy piece of writing full of colour and surrounded by a variety of tropical plants and flowers. Very nice work indeed from the pait.

7652. Dean Lane skate park (923)

Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2026
Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2026

Dibz and fade have been knocking out collaborations with unstoppable pace recently, and I must confess it is stretching me just to be able to keep up with their activity.

Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2026
Dibz and Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2026

This is an outstanding collaboration where both artists have contributed to the final offering. The letters spell addict, and I am guessing reflects their obsession with graffiti writing. A stunning fill and cosmic background show off their talent perfectly.