4051. Sparke Evans Park (18)

Finding and photographing this wonderful collaboration between Haka and Logoe was a very special moment, because I met Haka for the first time, just as he was tidying up and photographing his work; and what a phenomenally nice bloke he is.

Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2021
Haka, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2021

On the left is a fairly typical piece of block letter writing combined with a cheeky character. His somewhat chaotic style belies his talent as a graffiti artist of great merit. It is always great to see too his everlasting tributes to CK1.

Logoe, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2021
Logoe, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, November 2021

On the right is another Logoe piece from his recent prolific assault on Bristol’s walls. Haka was able to shed some light on this peak activity. I understand that Logoe lives in Pembrokeshire and only occasionally visits Bristol. When he does come he brings with him loads of sketches and ideas for pieces and paints like there is no tomorrow. This is, of course, great news for us. This script style piece decorated with shades of grey and purple carries the message “Just because you grow old… you don’t have to grow up”. Makes sense to me. More to come from this Logoe marathon.

3828. Upfest 2021 75×75 (23)

Angus is another of those Bristol artists without whom an Upfest event simply wouldn’t be an Upfest event. Originally a spray painter, Angus strayed into the world of tiles and mosaics a few years ago and he hasn’t really looked back.

Angus, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21
Angus, Greville Road, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21

Flying ducks are an integral part of British interior design history, and at one time were considered classy and sophisticated. Subsequently they have become a bit of a joke, only to become desirable icons once again. Angus has captured the essence of these flying ducks in a pixelated cartoon style in this narrow horizontal mosaic using the space very well. Lots of blues in these photographs. More Angus mosaics to be discovered at the Paintworks I believe.

3470. Richmond Road (6)

This wall used to have a wonderful tribute piece on it to honour DJ Derek by Deamze and Sepr. From speaking to a local, I understand that the owners of the wall loved it, but they had to have some damp treatment work done on the house and the mural had to go as part of that. The result is a vast wall that is crying out for decoration

Deamze and Sepr, Richmond Road, Bristol, February 2017
Deamze and Sepr, Richmond Road, Bristol, February 2017

Who should come along, but Stewy, who has some other pieces nearby, to place a stencil of a duck, high up on the wall perching on a pipe. Although a small piece, it commands the wall and adds interest for passers by who manage to extract themselves from their mobile technology and look at the world around them.

Stewy, Richmond Road, Bristol, Jnuary 2021
Stewy, Richmond Road, Bristol, Jnuary 2021

This is a fun stencil, and I can imagine a wry smile on the artist’s face when he painted this. This is all part of the circle of life of a Bristol wall.

3290. Cheltenham 2020 (12)

Kingfishers are a favourite subject for street artists and it is amazing how these little bird can give such inspiration, I wonder what it is about them that makes our hearts sing, is it the colours? The fleeting glimpses? The fishing? Who knows, but they are certainly a very popular.

Graffoflarge, Paint festival, Cheltenham, September 2020
Graffoflarge, Paint festival, Cheltenham, September 2020

I don’t know anything about the artist Graffoflarge, but he clearly has a sense of humour by fusing a kingfisher and duck in this piece. The artwork is really interesting, being made up largely of lines and the background is beautifully done to provide the perfect backdrop for the subject. Vibrant and fun, a classy piece.

2885. Raleigh Road vector (29)

What I am rather shocked by is the sheer number of outstanding pieces I have in my archive, and I guess it just goes to show that the high productivity of great street art in Bristol is pretty much relentless, and people like me struggle to keep on top of it. At least this pause caused by the coronavirus lock down provides me with an opportunity to share pieces like this amazing Deamze one that I had left on the shelf.

Deamze, Raleigh Road, Bristol, November 2016
Deamze, Raleigh Road, Bristol, November 2016

Although he is now in Hobard, Tasmania, Deamze will be forever a legend in Bristol and is sorely missed. His combination pieces incorpoorating wildstyle writing and a character are out of the top drawer and these technical masterpieces are something we can only reflect on these days.

Deamze, Raleigh Road, Bristol, November 2016
Deamze, Raleigh Road, Bristol, November 2016

One of the great things about Bristol is that the reputation for street art draws artists to come and stay or live in the city, so that for every great artist that leaves, at least two arrive, so the future is bright. The king is dead… long live the king.

646. Unity Street (5)

Another delve into the archive for this brilliant little piece by Sled One. I’m not too sure why I didn’t post it sooner, I guess every now any then things get on top of me, and anyhow, I am never short of material. If I stopped taking pictures today (which I didn’t), I would still be able to post images for at least a year.

SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, September 2016
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, September 2016

This is a playful piece spelling out ASK, the After School Klub crew which has about fifteen or so Bristol street artists in its ranks, including Deamze, Epok, Sepr and Soker.

SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, September 2016
SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, September 2016

I run out of words trying to describe how much I like Sled One’s work. He is so imaginative and creative, and the execution of his work is faultless. Making ducks out of letters or letters out of ducks, this is simply brilliant.

431. Upfest 2016 (47)

I know I have said it before and I will say it again. One of the real pleasures at Upfest 2016 was the huge number of wheatpastes that appeared overnight between the Saturday and the Sunday of the festival.

Face the Strange, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Face the Strange, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

This was my first introduction to the crazy world of Face the Strange, a wheatpaster who creates characters with heads substituted for any manner of everyday objects. His pieces are witty and rather stylish – I like them. This works on several levels and the reproduction of naff flying ducks is very funny.

Face the Strange, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Face the Strange, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Face the Strange has a Facebook page, which is well worth a look. Since this first discovey, I have since found more of his work in Bristol from Upfest, and loads in Shoreditch and Camden Town. More to come from this prolific artist.