Cheo has definitely woken up from a reasonably long quiet period, and it would appear that his friend and painting collaborator Dibz has ha something to do with it, at a guess. The two have combined to create this wonderful picture-frame piece featuring a Vaughn Bode lizard by Cheo and tight writing from Dibz.
Cheo and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, June 2023
The influence of Vaughn Bode on the graffiti art scene has been quite extraordinary, and continues to be as vibrant now as when the artist himself was alive. Che’s lizard is perfectly drafted with a lot more perspective and depth than some renditions I have seen. The bee, of course, is lovely too. Dibz has gone for some rather more basic writing than we are used to seeing, but it is just so perfectly executed, flawless I would say. This is a very good collaborative wall from two of Bristol’s finest artists.
This outstanding piece by Dibz was painted alongside Werm and Veeez, both of whom are edging towards the ‘top table’ when it comes to collaborations. I have genuinely run out of things to say about Dibz and the quality and creativity of his work, and am tempted to not write too much more but simply let you enjoy this piece, which is so easy on the eye.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
Dibz’ confidence and talent allow the viewer to wonder at the detail of the piece in the knowledge that absolutely everything is perfectly finished. The addition of pixels and stars embroiders, what is already an outstanding piece of graffiti writing.
Fade, Turoe and Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
I have been droning on about how the amount of painting activity has increased over the last year or two in Bristol, but associated with this rise has been a commensurate increase in the number of collaborative walls, most of which have a short lifespan due to the high turnover. It is becoming more and more difficult to chronicle street/graffiti art, but I do my best.
Fade, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
This triptych is by Fade, Turoe and Dibz. Starting with Fade on the left – I mentioned yesterday in my first Fade post on Natural Adventures, that we’d be seeing a lot more from the artist, and here is proof of that already. Fade’s work is really crisp, with nice solid fills and great thin black lines and thick black borders. I can’t read the letters in this piece, but it looks like a three letter sequence. This is classy work from someone who has only recently reacquainted himself with spray-painting after a long break.
Turoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
In the middle section is a fascinating piece from Turoe, whose mastery of graffiti writing is second to none. The chrome letters, which spell TUROE or as Paul H points DIBZ (although I can read both), have a regularity and uniformity about them, and just the right amount of subtle decoration in the form of white spots. The letters contrast nicely with the diesel-blue bubbly background. Classy stuff.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
Finally, to the right, Dibz does what Dibz does. Reflecting Turoe’s choice of chrome on diesel-blue Dibz shows his utter class with wildstyle writing. I don’t know how he does it, but Dibz is painting incredibly regularly these days – maybe he has a bit more free time on his hands. The clouds accompanying all the pieces on the wall, I think, are by Fade, because they have that flatter look to them that his style has. A very nice collaborative wall.
Well, well, well, how nice to see Cheo back again painting on the streets of Bristol. I wonder what has coaxed him out from what feels like a much too long absence, but whatever it is, it is great to see some fresh work from him. This is a superb, how could it be anything else?, collaboration from Dibz and Cheo.
Dibz and Cheo, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
To fit the collaboration on this wall, Dibz has contracted his style somewhat, and I am not certain his writing says DIBZ, but I can’t quite make out what it does say. Everything about the writing is close to perfect – this guy performs miracles with a spray can. Cheo has painted one of his characters, complete with baseball hat and ski goggles. The t-shirt says Neo Geo, which is lost on me, and of course we have his signature bee – it is great to see Cheo out and about, and I look forward to seeing more from him over the summer.
Acer One, Dibz, Jody and Turoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2023
This is an absolute classic collaboration from the crème de la crème of Bristol graffiti writing and street art, from Acer One, Dibz, Jody and Turoe, taking up the entire length of the bridge support wall under Brunel Way.
Acer One, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2023
First off is aclean and ticy ACER from Acer One, with a lovely colour transition from top left to bottom right. The stylised font is accompanied by a trademark shadow, giving the illusion that the letters are standing out from the wall.
Dibz, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2023
Next up is a wonderful piece of writing from Dibz. I hardly need to say too much about Dibz’ writing that I haven’t said before. Tight and classy – perfection itself really. It is a miracle that something like this is created using spray cans.
Jody, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2023
Jody has definitely come up trumps with an outstanding Satanic portrait piece, that is as good a character piece that I have seen anywhere this year. There is so much texture and depth in the face, which seems to be bursting through the wall and coming at ya. Just brilliant.
Turoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, April 2023
The collaborative wall is rounded off with a superb piece of graffiti writing from Turoe, who doesn’t hit the streets too often these days, but when he does, turns out high quality pieces like this. The black background, blue bubbles and cosmic cloud theme run through all four pieces drawing them together as part of a collaborative presentation. An absolute treat for the people of Bristol.
I’m not sure that I have seen an Elvs/Dibz collaboration before, so this one in Dean lane recently is a bit of a rarity. The two have combined to share a colour scheme and theme, which I think is based on Disney’s Beagle Boys characters. These characters are familiar to me, but I don’t think I have ever read or watched anything with them in.
Elvs, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2023
You can always tell a good collaboration when you don’t know who has painted certain bits of it, and while it is obvious who painted the writing, it is not so clear with regard to the characters. My guess would be that the two around the ELVS were by him, and the one popping out over the top of DIBZ was by Dibz. As always, Elvs’ writing is first class, and instantly recognisable with his very fat, elaborate lettering. The fill fades are pretty decent too.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2023
Dibz is no stranger to writing/character combinations, and his skills are on show here. His wildstyle graffiti writing can be difficult to decipher if you don’t know what it says, but usually it is DIBZ, so you are on fairly safe ground. Talking of safes, there is a story in the piece, which involves the cracking of a safe using explosives. The character on the left is plunging the detonator, while the one on the right blocks his ears… the cartooniest of cartoon plots. This is a fabulous collaboration from two immensely talented artists.
Two outstanding writers, Dibz and Turoe, have recently combined to create this wonderful tribute piece for Shimmer. I suspect that the piece may remain for quite some time due to both its quality and also that it is a tribute. This is a collaboration in which both artists have adopted a similar writing style and both are using the exact same colour scheme seamlessly.
Dibz and Turoe, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2023
To the left is the Dibz half of the collaboration, spelling out SHIMZ and to the right is Turoe’s contribution spelling TUROE. The green and yellow writing is as clean as a whistle and the whole thing set on a bubbly purple background – most eye-catching. In the middle of the piece is a Vaughn Bode lizard character, so much favoured by street artists in honour of the great man’s creations. This is a very, very fine tribute.
Dibz, Rusk and Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2023
Three of Bristol’s best artists have come together to paint this outstanding collaboration in Dean Lane. Dibz, Rusk and Shade One are not strangers to this wall, but they have absolutely smashed it on this occasion, in a touching tribute to Shimmer (Shimz).
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2023
On the left is a gorgeously perfect chrome piece by Dibz, which could equally well spell DIBZ or SHIMZ (I wonder if the ambiguity was deliberate). Everything about this is on-point, and there is a rather nice little SHIMZ shout-out in the top left.
Rusk, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2023
Rusk and Shade One have been busy in this spot lately, and I think this is the third collaboration they have enjoyed this year. I don’t really need to tell you how much I admire Rusk’s work. He is one of the most meticulous artists in Bristol, and will always strive to ensure his work is flawless. There is a lovely yellow pattern in this piece that flow seamlessly across the letters.
Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2023
Finally, the portrait piece on the right by Shade One is, I assume, depicting Shimmer, as the Shimz RIP in the top corner would suggest. The greyscale photorealistic portrait is one of Shade One’s best to date, and the bar is pretty high. The collaboration is a fabulous one, and it will be a brave person indeed who is the first to paint over it.
Dibz, Rusk and Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2023
Photographed under challenging light conditions, this outstanding piece by Dibz carries all the signature elements that identify it as one of his. For example, the overall diamond shape within which the whole piece sits, the perfect borders and solid 3D drop shadows… and of course the signature and shout out to Turoe (the birthday boy).
Dibz, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2022
The colour selection too is close to perfection, not only in the way the colours battle for attention, but also where exactly those battles take place, bringing a focus to certain parts of the work. This is writing of the highest calibre and a sight for sore eyes. One of the best from one of the best.
Dibz and Acer One, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022
Two of the greats of the contemporary street art scene in Bristol, Dibz and Acer One, have come together to create this magnificent collaborative wall in Deal Lane. You could hardly get two more contrasting styles of writing side-by-side – perhaps the inclusion of someone like Stivs or Mudra might just do it.
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022
Set on a buffed duck-egg blue wall, Dibz has painted one of his outstanding wildstyle pieces, which would normally spell DIBZ, but in this case it says EVIE. Using the tried and tested pink and blue (lilac) combination for the letters, Dibz has contrasted it with little yellow/orange squares, which personally speaking, I don’t think work very well with the background wall colour, and leaves me feeling a little queezy.
Acer One, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2022
To the right, Acer One, who I was fortunate enough to have a long chat with yesterday in the tunnel, has also written something different. The name TOBY is the focus of this piece, which was a birthday tribute piece for his son. What better present could a person wish for? Some great colours in the letters, and the customary double shadow together create an amazing 3D effect, with the letters really standing out from the wall. Happy belated birthday, Toby.
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