Dibz is turning out new work at an extraordinary rate at the moment which is great to see, although keeping up is proving to be something of a challence. I was lucky enough to catch up with him while he was painting this one and he stopped for a bit of a chat.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2021
Even though he didn’t buff the wall to start with, which is something he does more often than not, the quality of this piece shines through. Either deliberately or accidentally, this piece somehow blends in with the Slakarts and Mudra collaboration beneath it, complementing them well.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2021
I guess I am labouring the point a bit, but Dibz is right up there with the very best in Bristol in his finishing. Every piece is so clean and tight, which given the intricacy of the writing is nothing short of miraculous. Another outstanding piece.
There are some artists in Bristol whose style is recognisable from the slightest glance. It might be the shape of the letters, the colours, the form or any number of common themes or motifs. Every now and again though they let their hair down and do something quite different. This is something different from Dibz.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2021
This is a fun and rather small burner from Dibz, which if it weren’t for the letters might be difficult to attribute to him. What you can always be assured of though from Dibz is outstanding clean lines and finishing and this piece is no different. I caught up with him while he was painting another more Dibzy sort of thing on an adjacent wall and asked why he had painted something so different here and he indicated that he was just having a bit of laid back fun. Great to see.
I don’t know the significance of the Irish theme in this piece, other than that he dedicated it to ‘Marie’ who I presume has an Irish connection. As ever the work is meticulous, which is extra remarkable as he finished the piece in double-quick time to avoid the rain.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2021
Spelling out MARIE, the writing is split into three horizontal colour chunks to represent the Irish tricolour. For good measure he has included a four leaf clover at the centre of the piece. Beautifully presented and only slightly water damages, great work from Dibz… again.
These tight collaborations from Dibz and Shade One are becoming something of a feature in Dean Lane this year, and it has been a genuine privilege to see and photograph them.
Dibz and Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2020
The precise graffiti writing from Dibz paired with the stylised portraits from Shade One have a crispness and professional look about them. The walls are always nicely prepped and the work carefully done.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2020
On the left, the black and white writing from Dibz is so sharp and painted to appear like a sticker, along with all the surrounding ‘shout outs’. Note the little fold over on the far left, a trick repeated in the top right-hand corner of Shade One’s contribution.
Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2020
Shade One creates these amazing portraits that have a sophisticated comic book feel about them. What lies behind those eyes? I love the shirt collar too. Overall another excellent production from this pairing.
Always tight, always pretty near perfect. I can’t think of a Dibz piece that hasn’t been meticulous in both design and execution, and if there are any I’ve yet to see them. This is yet another superb piece from Dibz in Dean Lane (his favourite spot) from a week or two back.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2020
In most cases, Dibz buffs the wall first to ensure there is a focus on his wildstyle writing. The day glow green and pink colours stand out on the blue wall, and the design is simply outstanding. Dibz is an artist with a plan and he paints his plan and he does it well. A fine work.
It is truly great to see that Dibz and Shade One seem to be collaborating rather a lot at the moment, and they have absolutely knocked it out of the (skate) park with this recent piece in Dean Lane.
Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020
The face is by Shade One and to me represents a great example of a crossover of old school/new school, and what I mean by that is that there are some lines, for example the eyebrows that are quite angular and remind me of old New York style graffiti characters, but the blue frame, bubbles and decoration are much more contemporary in style.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020
As ever the graffiti writing from Dibz is outstanding, and the sharp clean lines with a complex colour scheme so expertly done demonstrate clearly why Dibz is simply one of the best graffiti writers around. The red object to the right of the piece I believe is a butt plug (although I might be mistaken) and was not part of the original collaboration, unfortunately it doesn’t add much to the piece in my opinion, and is ever so slightly annoying.
This superb collaboration from Dibz and Shade One was a precursor to their Cheltenham Paint Festival collaboration in the Honeybourne Line tunnel painted last weekend. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see the finished Cheltenham piece, but was privileged to watch the pair working together.
Dibz and Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2020
This Dean Lane Piece is truly outstanding, and the quality of design and execution is of the highest order. I particularly like the blue bubbles, the largest of which provides the background for Shade One’s character on the right. What you see here is a near-perfect work from two very talented artists.
Dibz and Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2020
This is yet another stunning piece from Dibz in Dean Lane. I can honestly say that I can’t remember such a productive period from this artist before in my (sometimes limited) experience.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2020
Superb writing with a green surround is brought to life with delicate red thread encircling the whole piece. This is classy writing of the highest calibre and really something to behold. Great work from a great artist.
I have said it before that Dibz has been painting a lot recently, like so many other artists since lock down eased. I am guessing that many artists have been furloughed and have therefore had more time on their hands than usual. I expect that as time passes and things get back to our new normal many artists will return to work and this frenetic activity will start to slow.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2020
This is an outstanding piece from Dibz, whose attention to detail and sensational finesse is second to none. Everything about this piece is good, from the black background to the colour selections to the design to the brilliant fades in the 3D work and the orange drips. This is a masterful work.
Natural adventures 