5278. Weston-super-Mare

Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023
Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023

The Upfest team, through the Weston Wallz project, have secured some of the most commanding walls imaginable, and handing this one to Curtis Hylton was a master stroke of vision and confidence. Rarely will you get such an uninterrupted view of an epic wall like this one, so massive congratulations to all involved

Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023
Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023

Many of the murals painted for Weston Wallz carry a marine theme, due to the proximity of the town to the Severn Estuary seaside. In this outstanding piece, Curtis Hylton has painted an eclectic collection of seals, an eel and some freshwater goldfish, with a rather nice starfish thrown in for good measure. The seals and eel have been given the Hylton treatment, incorporating flowers and petals into their form.

Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023
Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023

The attention to detail and perfect rendition of wildlife is a gift that few artists have. The goldfish, in particular, are beautifully recreated, although their presence disturbs me a little as a marine biologist, because they are out of place here. I would love to know what Curtis Hylton’s explanation might be.

Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023
Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023

This statement piece is a triumph and just another reason for the local people of Weston-super-Mare to be super-proud of their town. Outstanding!

2412. M32 roundabout J3 (162)

The stencil in this picture is the second I have posted, although it was the first I had found, by Yoshi. It is an interesting piece of a man, casually dressed, looking at a goldfish in a bowl which is floating away under a blue balloon. Heaven only knows what is going on here, maybe the artist suffers from separation anxiety or something like that. Whatever the story, it is an interesting piece from this relative newcomer.

Yoshi, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019
Yoshi, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019

The original piece had one question mark over the man’s head, but the additional question marks were added later, presumably by the artist who sprayed the pink pondering face on the left that seems to also be wondering what is going on. It is nice to see this connection and succession between two pieces.