Tag: Column

2287. M32 Spot (42)

Face 1st is doing a great job of  switching it up a bit at the moment, and this fabulous column piece in the M32 Spot is a case in point. I really like the full figure pieces that Face 1st has been doing lately that complement his faces so well.

Face 1st, M32 spot, Bristol, June 2019
Face 1st, M32 spot, Bristol, June 2019

Here we have a young woman in a stripy outfit sporting a fine head of purple hair sucking on a lollipop. It is a piece that fits the column so well and kind of has a bit of youth culture and attitude about it. It is a fine counterbalance to other columns in this spot that have been painted by Silent Hobo.

2172. M32 Spot (40)

I had seen this nice column piece by Daz Cat several times, but kept forgetting to go back to photograph it. By the time I sorted myself out, someone had slapped a poster in the middle of the face. This is a dilemma for a street photographer. Do I leave it as I found it, as if it were a tag, or do I remove it? I tend to leave it as it is as this somehow feels more authentic to me. It is how it is when I saw it.

Daz Cat, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2019
Daz Cat, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2019

Having said all of that, it is a pity that the grubby poster is there, because the piece is a nice one. Also I am embarrassed by the quality of the photograph which is way out of focus, so I think I am going to have to return to photograph it again, and maybe I’ll get lucky and the poster will have blown away.

1865. M32 Spot (33)

Silent Hobo has absolutely mastered these columns under the M32. His characters lend themselves really well to the tall thin format of the concrete pillars and there is now rather a gathering of these gentle giants seeking refuge from the roaring motorway above.

Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018

I have said before that Silent Hobo portrays these youths with such empathy, really getting under the skin of what it is like to be a young person in a modern world. I feel at times that his characters come across as rather sombre or sad, and I think that has something to do with the closed eyes. There is a kind of visual tautology going on here of a piece of street art portraying a street/graff artist. A common and enjoyable theme.

1851. M32 Spot (31)

The M32 spot is a sprawling area of columns and walls underneath the M32 where skateboarders like to congregate when it is raining. The ramps and obstacles in this ‘unofficial’ skatepark are cobbled together by what I think is called DIY – a group of enthusiasts who create skating opportunities. It is also an area where street artists like to spray, and although turnover can be quite high, there are some pieces that have remained for ages and ages.

NEVERGIVEUP, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2018
NEVERGIVEUP, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2018

This piece, it will come as no surprise to you, is by NEVERGIVEUP or as he calls himself Nevergiveup Familia or NGU. It is one of his ever-multiplying rabbits, that really are hopping out of pretty much every piece of concrete in the city. This particular one is one of my favourites – the colours and his slight plumpness make him most endearing. This is not the last of his bunnies I will be posting here.

1850. M32 Spot (30)

I took this picture a little while back, and thught I had published it, because it is quite similar to a couple of other pieces by Kool Hand. But I hadn’t so here it is now. Kool Hand creates distinctive natural world creatures, such as this orangutan with strong black outlines and bold solid colours. The pieces are simple, but effective and he has carved out this neat style.

Kool Hand, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018
Kool Hand, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018

Most of his work is set on a white background, which probably brings out the pieces in a clearly defined way, uncluttered. He is a tidy artist. I haven’t yet met Kool Hand, but as with all artists in Bristol, it is just a matter of time before we both pitch up at the same place at the same time.

1772. M32 Spot (28)

This is just brilliant. It is one of three recent column pieces to go up under the M32 painted by Silent Hobo and I love love love it a lot. There is so much soul in the character and she’s looking at you with those large blue eyes. Many of his characters have their eyes looking down or closed, which is what makes this one stand out.

Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018

These column pieces are always quite difficult to photograph, because of the large contrast in light levels and these pictures in no way do the piece justice. For any die-hard hunters, this one is one that must be seen in the flesh.

Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2018

Silent Hobo has a strongly empathetic view on modern youth and is a fantastic champion for all that keeps out city vibrant. Bravo Hobo – I am in love with this girl..

 

1748. M32 Spot (27)

I have been prompted to publish these wonderful cartoon faces by Zake from my archive because I am aware that he has done some more recently. I was hoping that I could find out a little bit more about the artist in the meantime, but all my searches have been fruitless.

Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018

Zake’s faces are wonderfully expressive and in terms of their size and format seem to work very well within the rather tight constraints of the columns under the M32.

Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018

Another characteristic of Zake’s work is the selection of brown colours for the faces, which seems to provide a good contrasting base for the features. I love this man with the pens in his shirt pocket. These are great small pieces, and it would be good to see where Zake takes this work.

Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018

1612. M32 Spot (23)

I’m really pleased that I photographed this column piece by Kid Crayon when I did, because I returned last week and it has been really badly tagged. It is a great ‘brain dump’ kind of piece with all sorts of themes and ideas going on. Almost like a collage.

Kid Crayon, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Kid Crayon, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018

The identity card is a theme that Kid Crayon has used some years ago on a wheatpaste tucked down a side street – it was one of the first pieces of his that I found. Everything else here seems a little bit surreal and eclectic.

Kid Crayon, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Kid Crayon, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018

I think that rather than try to interpret the work it is far wiser to just look at it and admire it. I’m not sure if it is deliberate or not, but the guy in the red bucket hat looks a lot like KC himself and I wonder if it is a self-portrait. All good from one of my fave artists.

1156. M32 Spot (12)

The columns under the M32 are constantly being refreshed, which is great news for people like me. This column is by an artist I have not featured before on this blog. He is J. West and is a Bristol animator turned artist. He has a love of depicting animal which has been in part inspired by his time working at Bristol Zoo Gardens.

J. West, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2017
J. West, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2017

This is a nice strong symmetrical piece that contrasts with many of the other rather more organic pieces at this location. J. West has used the constraints of the column to his advantage and produced this arttractive and intriguing piece. I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.

915. M32 Spot (8)

I am fully aware that today is the second day of Upfest, and that you might be expecting a post from the wonderful Bristol street art festival. I’m afraid It’s not going to happen for a while. I will have an enormous amount of work to do with photographs and getting to grips with artists  before I can start to publish. If you want instant gratification, then follow #upfest2017 in instagram, it’ll be smoking!

For now I will post this characterful piece on one of the pillars under the M32 by Deamze. The faces on this work are quite unusual, and not something that I would ordinarily associate with Deamze.

Deamze, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2017
Deamze, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2017

There is a figure on each of the four sides of the pillar, each striking a different pose. I have only posted three of them, because the fourth is impossible to photograph due to the light conditions.

Deamze, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2017
Deamze, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2017

If you want to see the fourth side, you’ll just have to get down to the M32 Spot and check it out. I rather like this piece, and love the jeans and pink shirt, and the burger looks almost good enough to eat.