910. Wade Street (1)

I took a new route whilst going somewhere with the family a few weeks ago, and in my rear view mirror caught sight of this fabulous Shab piece. I made a mental note of its location and returned to photograph it a few days later.

Shab, Wade Street, Bristol, June 2017
Shab, Wade Street, Bristol, June 2017

I don’t think it is a new piece, but it certainly is a belter. There are four of his characteristic line drawn figures sprayed over a textured background created with a blue roller. The overall effect is quite stunning, and I think this is one of the best I have seen to date.

Shab, Wade Street, Bristol, June 2017
Shab, Wade Street, Bristol, June 2017

Of course, each figure has eyes, and oh, what eyes these are. There is a story here – maybe of love, indicated by then heart, or maybe other things going on. Overall it is simply spectacular. A lucky spot in my rear view mirror.

873. Dean Lane skate park (64)

I have just been reading Skor85’s biography on the Upfest 2017 website and found out that she is of Polish origination, adding to the vibrant Polish street art community  that appears to be growing in Bristol.

Skor85, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2016
Skor85, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2016

This is an interesting piece, from one of her favourite spots at Deaners, from July last year, around the time of Upfest. Some philosophy to go with the solemn figure drowning his/her sorrows. I love her use of colour and highlight lines on the head, arms and legs. Subtle and modest, her work always interests me.

708. Moon Street (27)

I saw this beautiful piece appear in July 2016, at around about the same time as Upfest. Subsequently, I had seen some similar pieces in Shoreditch, during my six month stint commuting to London a couple of days a week. I was never quite sure who the artist was though, so have held on to this until I found out.

Coloquix, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2016
Coloquix, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2016

As is usually the case, Instagram came to the rescue and I was able to track down the artist, whose nom de plume is Coloquix. You can see more of his amazing work on this Global Street Art page. I believe that Coloquix is from Sheffield, but I think he creates his work in various places in the country.

Coloquix, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2016
Coloquix, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2016

I am really drawn to his work, it seems to have a simple sophistication (if that is not a contradiction in terms) and beauty, and I love the way he chooses to overlay his work on existing pieces. It is nice, at last, to write this post.

706. Upfest 2016 (110)

This is the sixth piece by Shab that I have posted since the beginning of the year. A relatively new discovery for me, but he has been here all the time…I just hadn’t recognised his work. I feel such a fool, because he is not only really established in Bristol, but turns out fantastic pieces across the city Bristol which somehow fell under my radar.

Shab, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Shab, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

His work at Upfest appeared on the side of a train carriage with the word ‘unwellcome’ (spelling) written above several of his line drawn figures and heads. His human figures are like studies or drafts, with particular attention to proportions, muscles and form. I do like his work very much, and of course the piece is generously sprinkled with eyes.

516. Grimsby Street, Shoreditch (1)

Stik is probably the most instantly recognisable street artist in the world. His simple stick figures hide a sophistication that is quite baffling really. They appear to convey such strong feelings and emotions, often compassionate. How does he do that?

Stik, Grimsby Street, London, August 2016
Stik, Grimsby Street, London, August 2016
This piece however is slightly different. Lurking in a backstreet that is a favourite for street artists are these two rather unfortunate characters puking up in the street. I don’t know what the story here is, but it is not like it isn’t something we all haven’t done, either through illness or over indulgence. Perhaps just a commentary on the human condition.

Stik, Grimsby Street, London, August 2016
Stik, Grimsby Street, London, August 2016
I absolutely love his work and have posted about the large piece in Bristol and charming wall in Chichester previously. More to come.

385. Upfest 2016 (29)

On the Saturday of Upfest 2016 I was not sure who the artist was on this wall. He was high up on a scaffold tower, and seemed only to have started his piece.

Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

The wall in Greville Road is one of the least photogenic ‘art walls’ in Bristol. It is high up and surrounded by bright skies with the sun during the day behind the wall and so the face is usually in shade. The previous occupant was a hand by Jody.

Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Even on the Sunday and the Monday the wall was only half done, so I was still in the dark about the artist. I returned a few days after the Festival and the full picture was revealed…a most fantastic work by Cosmo Sarson.

Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

His ‘Breakdancing Jesus’ remains one of the most celebrated pieces in Bristol, and this is equal to it. The colours of this work are wonderful as the figure floats under the multicoloured surface and his half-naked body is reflected in swirls. This really is one of the highlights of the festival and so worth waiting for.

Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Cosmo Sarson, Greville Road, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

 

 

348. Upfest 2016 (7)

Meeting the artists was, for me, one of the great pleasures of being at Upfest this year, and so it was with stopping to chat for a while with ObjectØØØ. Heaven only knows how he and other artists managed to get on with their work with all the interruptions.

Object000, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Object000, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

ObjectØØØ is an artist I have been watching develop over the last year, as he has taken more to the street art scene. His works are so very distinct…unlike anything else I have seen on the streets. More of his works here and here.

Object000, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Object000, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

This is another great piece by him and carries all the hallmarks of his work: a contorted body, a bird wing, tentacles and a phrase he uses a lot ‘eat the rich’. I find his work unusual and also rather inspiring. His work oozes with angst and rage but to me also seems to be striving for a freedom just out of reach.

I do hope I’m not turning into too much of a street art critic/bore.

273. North Street Green (2)

This lovely wall seems to have an orderly rotation and large bags of respect. Rarely is anything here tagged, and the pieces appear to remain for several weeks before being painted over. The piece before this one was the Cheo gorilla, and it has since been replaced by a recent Mr Draws work.

Copyright and E.Lee, North Street, Bristol, May 2016
Copyright and E.Lee, North Street, Bristol, May 2016

This is a lovely collaboration by Copyright and E.Lee (who is from Chicago, and spent a little time in Bristol recently). The two figures are characteristic of Copyright’s work, so I am assuming that the frames are by E.Lee, who I think has the most distinctive signature of any street artist – a red stamped seal with the letters EL merged together.

Copyright and E.Lee, North Street, Bristol, May 2016
Copyright and E.Lee, North Street, Bristol, May 2016

I am really loving copyright’s work at the moment, both sprayed and pasted. He is gifted.

251. Hepburn Road (3)

This little side street just off Stokes Croft is a very popular spot with DNT and his friends, one of whom is Mr Klue. We are used to seeing rather more abstract pieces from Mr Klue, so this seated figure with a hat would have to go down as one of the more unusual pieces by him.

Mr Klue, Hepburn Road, Bristol, May 2016
Mr Klue, Hepburn Road, Bristol, May 2016

I really like the calmness of the work and it’s distinctive style. He is an artist I am really enjoying at the moment.