Cumberland Basin – Natural adventures

7386. Cumberland Basin

Peggy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2025

There was a conspicuous absence of Christmas celebration street art in Bristol this year, or at least in any of the spots I visited over the holiday period. This might reflect Christmas fatigue, or perhaps a feeling that after a difficult year the mood was slightly downbeat. There was one small Christmas highlight, however, on the long wall at Cumberland Basin.

Peggy teamed up with some RBF friends, and painted this lovely floral piece in Christmas colours. I can only think that Peggy has been very busy with her work this year, because her street pieces have been few and far between, so finding this one was a bit of a treat. I’m not too sure what the AIZA letters refer to… I might need to investigate.

7355. Cumberland Basin

Mage, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2025

More from Mage, this time his writing has a slightly softer feel to it. I have said before that the letters MAGE, in my view are a little unforgiving, although lots of straight lines and sharp edges. By incorporating a lower case ‘a’ and ‘e’ Mage has managed to smooth out some of the lines.

The two tone pink letters are bordered with a brown drop shadow, and you will know my feelings about brown by now, so possibly another colour would have been my preference. Mage has been a busy boy this autumn.

7352. Cumberland Basin

Wispa and Jody, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2025

I was lucky enough to be present when this piece was being painted, but stupid enough not to say hello to one of the artists. I had been chatting for a while with Esme Lower who was painting next to this piece, and needed to get back home, so said a quick hello to Jody and unfortunately didn’t talk to the lady who was painting with him as I didn’t recognise her and had to dash. What an idiot – it wasn’t until I returned to the piece that I was realised I had been standing in the presence of the brilliant Wispa. Note to self – always say hello if you get a chance.

Jody and Wispa have painted this wonderful combination piece, with the letters W_SPA from Wispa and the masked character by Jody. I don’t know who the character is, but the metallic shine to the mask and helmet is superb. Wispa’s letters are, as ever, immaculate. Next time I’ll make sure I say hello.

7343. Cumberland Basin

2Face, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2025

I was lucky enough to meet 2Face when he was painting a piece in Dean Lane some months ago, and at the time I think I was expecting to see more of his work about the place. As it happens, this is only the second one I have found, so either he doesn’t paint all that often, or I simply haven’t found his pieces.

These richly decorated letters spell out FACEY in nicely formed shapes with plenty of space for playing with the fills. The palette spans several colours, but it is the eye-catching pink organic looking threads that stand out to me. I think that the bright upper surface of the letters is a little overpowering and unbalances the piece slightly, perhaps dialling it back a bit might’ve worked better. Great to see more from this writer.

7330. Cumberland Basin

Esme Lower, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2025

What a wonderful creation from Esme Lower. I was lucky with my timing on this one, and met Esme while she was painting this piece. She always seems to make time for a quick chat, and told me that this piece was inspired by a Studio Ghibli character called Catbus, from Totoro.

This is a beautifully imagined and painted piece with superb clarity and definition between elements. The fills are clean and solid and black outlines tidy. I love the little mouse sitting on the top of Catbus. Researching the character led me down an interesting path of Studio Ghibli artwork and films, which was most enjoyable. A lovely and accomplished piece by Esme Lower.

7310. Cumberland Basin

Dibz, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2025

This is what a birthday celebration piece to self looks like… by Dibz for Dibz. The calibre of artists that turned out for this paint jam was pretty high, as you might expect, and the quality of the birthday boy’s piece reflects the quality of the others.

It is easy to get quite blazé about Dibz’ outstanding wildstyle graffiti pieces, because each one is utterly on-point, and it is what we expect, but this perfection betrays the talent, experience and hard work that Dibz puts in to achieve these incredible results. Alongside the outstanding writing, Dibz has added a little gravestone and cloud-covered moon to pick up on the Halloween theme running through the pieces in this paint jam. All so good.

7306. Cumberland Basin

The Art of Sok, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2025

Last year I managed to catch up with The Art of Sok several times, and it seems that the artist crossed the border several times to paint in Bristol. This year his visits have been less frequent, but he has definitely left his mark, not least with this stunner for Dibz’ birthday.

I wasn’t expecting too many Halloween pieces this year, but as it turned out, there were quite a few. (Note to self – do a Halloween gallery). The Art of Sok has created the perfect pumpkin character painted in his outstanding cartoon style. Everything is superbly balanced and the fills and borders immaculate. This is cartoon character street art at its very best. Bravo!

7301. Cumberland Basin

Jody, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2025

It is obvious that two paint jams have been giving me plenty of material to write about; Dibz’ and Minto’s birthdays, I think both turned 50 this autumn. This Halloween Count Dracula piece by Jody was to celebrate Dibz half- century.

As portrait pieces by Jody go, this one isn’t, in my view, his best, not because of the obvious quality, but because it somehow doesn’t quite sit right with me. It happens from time to time and I can’t explain it. Perhaps it is the cape, which could do with more texture and folds, or maybe the red lips… of course, I am being unbelievably picky, it is a great portrait piece by a superb artist.

7296. Cumberland Basin

Rafat Oner, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2025

2025 has without question been a year of visitors and new artists breaking onto the Bristol stage. Such an influx of talent is a reflection of Bristol’s street art culture and national/international reputation and is a blessing for me, although at times it can be a curse trying to track down who some of the artists are.

This is a stunning combination piece by Rafat Oner, who came to celebrate Dibz’ 50th birthday and wrap up his tribute with a Halloween theme for good measure. The letters RAFAT are beautifully filled with a funky black and purple design and a double green and orange drop shadow, pulling in all the colours of Halloween. The black and white portrait of a girl is a little disturbing where her face distorts on the left. Two further creepy characters are emerging from the ground. All in all a wonderful piece with lots going on to admire.

7293. Cumberland Basin

Soker, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2025

As you might expect, there was a great turnout from the great and good of the established graffiti writing/street community for Dibz’ 50th birthday celebration paint jam, including an appearance from the brilliant Soker.

It took me a while to establish that this wonderful piece was indeed by Soker, as it is unsigned, and the letters, of course, spell Dibz. There are one or two small giveaways that it is Soker’s work; The high-quality finish, The black star in the ‘D’; the small accent rectangles at the top left and top right; and the green drips around the piece. I was thrown off the scent slightly by the white accent lines that create a sense of round letters, because that is not something I associate too much with Soker. Classy work.

	Suzette Benjamin on Thursday doors – 8 Janua…
	Dan Antion on Thursday doors – 8 Janua…
	paulh121 on MOT
	scooj on 7388. Brunel Way (347)
	scooj on MOT

	Suzette Benjamin on Thursday doors – 8 Janua…
	Dan Antion on Thursday doors – 8 Janua…
	paulh121 on MOT
	scooj on 7388. Brunel Way (347)
	scooj on MOT

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