Tag: Flamingo

6045. Upfest 2024 (4)

Rob Wass, The Spotted Cow, North Street, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Rob Wass, The Spotted Cow, North Street, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

To be honest with you, I am not sure whether this piece by Rob Wass, in the yard of the Spotted Cow pub, is from this year’s Upfest or whether it was already there before. It looks pretty fresh, and I know the artist has painted for the festival before, so I imagine it is a 2024 piece. (Update: it was painted for Upfest 2024)

Rob Wass, The Spotted Cow, North Street, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Rob Wass, The Spotted Cow, North Street, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

Rob Wass, who is a fine artist and designer, occasionally paints murals like this one, which are very much an upscaling of his studio work. He uses brushes rather than spray cans, which give him the opportunity to add in so much fine detail. This is a gorgeous piece with a flamingo at its heart and an array of decorative ‘peacock’ feathers fanned from the centre. An intricate and interesting piece, well worth hunting down.

5154. Cumberland Basin

Taboo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2023
Taboo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2023

If anyone can tell me what is going on here, then I doff my cap to you. Some fabulous anti-style graffiti writing from Taboo with a pink flamingo holding a Halfords bag in its bill, and the words “I’m Champa(i)gn, you… Lambrini”.

Taboo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2023
Taboo, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2023

The colours here are striking without being gaudy, and I have to say I love that red colour, and I think it works very nicely on the light blue background. The whole thing feels slightly anarchic or eccentric – it would be nice if there was a word that meant both of those things – ‘anarcentric’ perhaps. More great stuff from Taboo.

3316. M32 roundabout J3 (263)

The last Subtle piece I saw before I found this one in October was way back in June, so it was very nice indeed to stumble across it. I don’t know how, but these pictures managed to get trapped in my production line of posts which is why it is a little out of sequence (it was not a delve into my archives which happens from time to time).

Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October2020
Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October2020

I have always liked Subtle’s work and this piece in chrome set on pink and purple circles is a beauty. There is a story here somewhere – there are four bullet holes in the chrome letters and underneath the piece are the words ‘The Heart Breaker’. To the right is  a chrome flamingo (pink, surely?) drinking a cocktail. Curious to say the least. Sharp lines, great solid fills and that wonderful Subtle letter shape – good work all round.

1556. Mina Road (2)

Once in a while we are lucky enough in Bristol to see a large commission piece appear in a public space, the last significant one being the Jodi piece for the Florist on the corner of Park Street and Charlotte street. This beautiful commission is by Zase and can be found in Mina Road.

Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018
Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018

Were it not for visionaries who commission this work in the first place, our streets would be considerably duller than they are. In this case, the recent owner of the restaurant is also owner of several other buildings in the area and he is keen to get some of those painted up too.

Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018
Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018

This magnificent piece is a solo work by Zase as I am told that Dekor, his painting partner, has returned to his homeland (Slovakia?). A theme that Zase returns to again and again is the natural world, and this piece showcases his talent for painting birds and a natural landscape.

Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018
Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018

There is something about flamingos that street artists seem to like – maybe it is the vibrant colours or the curious body form, whatever it is there are a disproportionate number of them out there. Not that I’m complaining mind.

Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018
Zase and Dekor, Mina Road, Bristol, June 2018

I like pretty much everything about this mural and of course it contains the trademark 3D moniker from the artist just to the right of the flamingo. Well worth a trip to see this one.

1465. Upfest 2017 (164)

It took me a lifetime to get round to finding this collaboration and at last posting it. It is just a little too far from my work to manage in a lunchtime, so I had to make a special trip. It is by the incredible Fanakapan and Insane51.

Insane51 and Fanakapan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Insane51 and Fanakapan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

There is so much to love about this piece (except its location) that I don’t know where to start. I could try to start with the cracked wall, which is cleverly done and lets us into the world of these two artists. It is interesting that the character is both behind the hole (see his head) and in front of it (see his left arm further down). I don’t know if this is intentional, but it adds to the wackiness of the piece.

Insane51 and Fanakapan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Insane51 and Fanakapan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

The flamingo and tin can are the work of Fanakapan and the double image of the baseball caped man is by Insane51. The whole piece is utterly bonkers and brilliant, so beautifully executed and incredible attention to detail.

Insane51 and Fanakapan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Insane51 and Fanakapan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I love the reflections in the sunglasses and in the tin can – these are the things that highlight how talented these artists are. the wall itself is a bugger to photograph, because there is not much room between it and the wall behind, as you can see from the long shot. I’ve been saving some of the really good Upfest pieces until last.