6776. River Avon (79)

Grimes, River Avon, Bristol, February 2025
Grimes, River Avon, Bristol, February 2025

Grimes is my graffiti writer of the moment. He is turning out some quite miraculous pieces that are bursting with energy and colour. As if to prove that he is far from a ‘one-trick pony’, he has produced this rather more sober piece, squeezed into a tight space alongside the River Avon.

Grimes, River Avon, Bristol, February 2025
Grimes, River Avon, Bristol, February 2025

The beautifully designed letters spell out GRIME, and have taken on some earthy colours; greens, browns and greys. Grimes has included some cool fills on some of the letters, but generally the decoration is toned-down. There are no highlights, and so the letters remain flat on the wall and there is little 3D effect achieved. This is a well executed piece, which may well have been a ‘quick one’ by the artist, but is beautifully finished nonetheless.

5523. Greenbank (97)

Dog Bless the Band, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2023
Dog Bless the Band, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2023

If the writing is curiously-shaped, monolithic and coloured in earthy muted hues, then it is highly likely to be by Dog Bless the Band. If it also spells MOTEL, then it is definitely by him. This modest piece fits all the criteria perfectly.

Dog Bless the Band, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2023
Dog Bless the Band, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2023

So earthy is this piece, that it appears to have emerged from the soil beneath it, perfectly matching the undergrowth that seamlessly rolls along the ground and up the hoarding. This is deliberate and skilfully done. I like the comment “I’m 37% nettle stings”, an occupational hazard, painting this stretch of hoarding. In my view, this is a really classy piece painted in a style, touching on anti-style while just about remaining within certain conventions. Love it.