6575. Cumberland Basin

Noise and Zake, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024
Noise and Zake, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024

One of the reasons that I am able to dwell a little on going back through my archives is that the winter weather is finally getting the better of ‘fair-weather’ artists, and turnover has slowed considerably since the back end of November. Although it is never good to see a slow-down, the upside is that it does give me a bit of a breather and the chance to share some ‘forgotten’ pieces, including this fine collaboration from Noise and Zake.

Noise and Zake, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024
Noise and Zake, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024

I have said it before, that Zake loves to team up with anyone who is willing to paint with him, and in this piece he has combined really well with Noise, incorporating his cartoon character as the ‘O’ of NOISE. The deep stripy drop shadow lifts the collaboration and unintentionally mirrors the teeth of Zake’s character. This is a really satisfying collaboration to see, from two of Bristol’s best artists.

6570. Cumberland Basin

Conrico, Acer One and Andy Council, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Conrico, Acer One and Andy Council, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024

You might be able to detect that I have been rooting around in my archives again, which I like to do every once in a while, because there are so many pieces that I’d like to share, but that get left behind. How this amazing collaboration from Conrico, Acer One and Andy Council ever got omitted I’ll never know, but I am making up for it now.

Conrico and Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Conrico and Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Conrico and Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Conrico and Acer One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024

The three part piece is a wonderful co-creation in which all the distinctive elements come together seamlessly. The landscape background with hints of an oriental coastal scene is by Conrico and creates a wonderful setting for the letters of Acer One, that spell out WABI SABI in two sections either side of the centrepiece by Andy Council,

Andy Council, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024
Andy Council, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2024

The central portrait of a roaring tiger has everything you’d expect from a piece by Andy council where each of the elements of the tiger are ‘stitched’ together to form a coherent and, frankly, stunning whole. I think that the rose pink clouds emphasising the tiger head were painted by Conrico. The overall collaboration is a triumph of three very different styles coming together to create something truly excellent.

6564. Cumberland Basin

Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024
Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024

Abbie Laura Smith has pushed the creative boat out a little with this symmetrical wheatpaste stuck on a utility box in Cumberland Basin. Rather than being bilaterally symmetrical, the twin portraits are rotationally symmetrical, which I think might be a first on Natural Adventures.

Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024
Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024

I love the way that Abbie Laura Smith has introduced some colour into this paste-up, which features a portrait of a woman looking a little fed up, and perhaps sad. ALS has a wonderful way of representing hair, which almost looks like it is from a lino-cut that has been scored and printed. There are some subtle differences in the application of colour between the two portraits, such as the lips and distribution of pinks and reds in the hair. This is a wonderfully creative piece from our resident wheatpaster.

6551. Cumberland Basin

Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024
Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024

This is the second paste-up that I managed to find in Abbie Laura Smith’s latest blitz, and although I only found three pieces, I am sure that there would have been more. A little bit bedraggled, reflecting the damp conditions when I photographed this piece, the paste-up features a black and white image of a woman, reversed out in this instance, with writing incorporated throughout.

Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024
Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024

As with the last of her pieces that I posted, I can’t quite make out all the writing, but can pick up the odd line here or there, such as “The only chance left was goodbye” and “Keep that…”. Once again these might be sad or morose, but out of context it is difficult to know. Poignant pieces printed off on paper and pasted up in special places for the curious to look at.

6538. Cumberland Basin

I was aware that Abbie Laura Smith had pasted up some new artwork recently because she told me via Instagram messenger, so of course, I had to get out and try and find them. I managed to find three, of which this is the first. I expect there are more that I didn’t locate.

Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024
Abbie Laura Smith, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, November 2024

This wheatpaste was looking a little forlorn as the top half had become unstuck in the damp weather and folded over itself. I had to try and replace it and quickly photograph it before it peeled down… it took me several attempts. The style and content of the piece fits snugly into Abbie Laura Smith’s repertoire with a black and white portrait of a woman with words woven into her hair.

If I spent a little longer, I could probably pick out all the words, but I think it is a sorrowful piece, as I can see the words ‘grief’ and ‘the loss’. More to come from our resident paste up specialist soon.

6533. Cumberland Basin

Neddy Ned Neddy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Neddy Ned Neddy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

Neddy Ned Neddy is one of those artists who paints from time to time in Bristol, but never enough to grace the pages of Natural Adventures all that often. It is always a pleasure to include his work, though, because his writing style is quite special and beautifully executed.

Neddy Ned Neddy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Neddy Ned Neddy, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

In most of his pieces, the vanishing point for his drop shadow is located centrally behind the letters, which gives the illusion that they are hurtling towards you from the background. The flaming colour selection works well against the blue, and this is an all-round stonking burner.

6529. Cumberland Basin

Oust, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Oust, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

It’s a funny thing, but I don’t know whether I simply haven’t registered Oust much in the past, or whether he is painting a little bit more often in Bristol, but I seem to be finding more Oust work about town these days.

Oust, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Oust, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

This is a superb piece of writing, with all elements working well in harmony, although I think that the light blue of the letters is slightly washed out by some of the stronger colours around it. Obviously, the letters spell OUST and they have been filled with loads of patterning and symbols, mostly stars. There is a complex drop shadow in black and yellow and a busy red background. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from Oust.

6509. Cumberland Basin

Kid Krishna, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Kid Krishna, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

Like many artists, Kid Krishna goes through phases of low and high activity, and recently we have been enjoying one of his productive periods, with a plethora of his pieces in various styles in all parts of the city. This colourful piece is painted on the long wall at Cumberland Basin.

Kid Krishna, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Kid Krishna, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

The letters, as always, spell CRIE, not that you’d necessarily work that out without help. The turquoise letters stand out well against the black, pink and yellow colours of thee background. There is something quite strongly anti-style about this one and a little bit of attitude too. The slightly untidy finishing would indicate that it was probably a quick one, painted in the moment, because when you are as good as Kid Krishna, you simply can.

6485. Cumberland Basin

ESKA, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
ESKA, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

It would seem that itinerant artist ESKA is staying in Bristol a little longer than I had been expecting… perhaps he is enjoying the opportunity to paint walls in Bristol too seductive. This is the third piece I have posted since his arrival, and I note that there is a new piece on the Cheltenham Road at The Carriageworks which I have yet to photograph.

ESKA, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
ESKA, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

ESKA’s work is a whirlwind of letters, anamorphic shapes and symbolism which come together in perfect harmony aided by clever colour theming. This is a truly stunning piece. In future I think I will have to take a few close up shots of his work, because there is so much hidden detail in the piece, which really needs to be seen and studied. Sensational and unique stuff.

6482. Cumberland Basin

Jest Soubriquet, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Jest Soubriquet, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

Jest Soubriquet is an occasional visitor to Bristol, and his work is always welcome here. I have posted a couple of his portrait pieces on Natural Adventures this year, and this third one tucked away at the left-hand side of the long wall is a true beauty.

Jest Soubriquet, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024
Jest Soubriquet, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2024

The portrait, painted with his trademark patchwork of colours, is accompanied by a cosmic cloud scene with colours taken from, but presented differently to those used in the portrait. The three triangles unintentionally (I think) give the portrait a ‘Statue of Liberty’ look, which once seen is very difficult to unsee. This is a really refreshing approach to portrait pieces, and I hope we see more from Jest Soubriquet before too long.