6917. Stokes Croft

Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025
Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025

There are some newish hoardings at the bottom end of Stokes Croft, as the gentrification of the area once more picks up momentum. Kid Krishna has, as you would expect, pounced on these blank canvasses, but he left this space for Hemper, and what a banging piece it is too.

Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025
Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025

Overall, the piece has a copper metallic feel to it, with the highly illustrated letters spelling out HEMS. The piece is obviously an homage to DJing and to sound systems, perhaps a reference to the Blue Mountain Club that was knocked down behind these hoardings. There is too much to describe in this sensational piece, so perhaps the best way to enjoy it is to spend a moment looking at each element of it.

Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025
Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025

Of course, you can take a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. These two are symptomatic of the world we live in, where shutting yourself off and hiding behind headphones is the norm – no effort required, no thought given to exploring the world right in front of your eyes. C’est la vie I suppose.

6114. M32 roundabout J3 (583)

Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024

This is an absolutely classic example of Laic217’s work. Technically and stylistically superb, the piece features two skeletons, one of which is DJing with a twin turntable and the other apparently having a great time.

Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2024

The artistry in the greyscale piece is outstanding, with the story playing out really clearly. The decorative shapes bursting around the piece add a sense of movement and energy coming from the music, and the two gold touches, on the DJ’s hand and a tooth, are classy additions. I love the additional touch of LAIC217 appearing on the record label, rounding the whole thing off nicely. This is a truly fabulous and energetic piece from Laic217.

5220. M32 Cycle path (215)

Nightwayss, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2023
Nightwayss, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2023

To The quickest of quick coffee breaks and then I must resume housework. Another tip trip  completed and lovely hoovering with our brand new hoover (Shark)… wow, our old one was useless. So much dust and fluff! Just a moment to post this lovely piece by the returning Nightwayss

Nightwayss, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2023
Nightwayss, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2023

It is a bitter sweet experience when Bristol artists migrate away to other towns and cities, as Nightwayss has, and it is when they return that we get to reacquaint ourselves with what we have been missing. This is a brilliant portrait piece, I’m guessing of a DJ or musician, painted in shades of purple and black, with a bank of speakers behind and a record deck between. Fine work from a lost brother of Bristol.

2537. L Dub (7)

I have only ever seen Dun Sum’s work at the L Dub spot, but there is quite a lot of it here. I am led to understand that he doesn’t live in Bristol, which might explain his presence here on the outskirts of the city.

Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019
Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019

Difficult to photograph in the murky depths of the underpass, this piece is absolutely fantastic. It portrays a kind of monkey DJ thing going on and a whole load of nods to other artists who paint in this space. Look carefully at the character’s tail and you can make out Dun Sum’s signature. A nice piece from the L Dub specialist.