In Bristol we have so many different styles of graffiti writing, and a lot of these fit into certain defined categories such as wildstyle, anamorphic, calligraffiti, anti-style, script, bubble writing and so on, but with some artists, it is really difficult to stick them in a particular pigeonhole, and I think Sait bare is one of those,
Sait Bare, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2025
This is a nice piece painted alongside Hire, a pairing that seems to be increasingly common. There is a bilateral symmetry emerging in this piece, which is perhaps the key focal point, as the fills are quite plain. The drop shadow converging on a central vanishing point and the glowing green border highlights provide plenty of depth. Also, the eyes, which are common to both this piece and the adjacent one by Hire, definitely add interest.
Well this piece by Face 1st is as unusual as it was unexpected. Face 1st moved to Herefordshire earlier this year and only visits occasionally (to scratch that itch), so it is always a bonus to find one of his pieces. This looks like it was painted in a bit of a hurry, but has some interesting deviations from his typical work.
Face 1st, M32 cycle path, Bristol, August 2025
The stacked letters spell ‘Face’, with the word ‘First’ in the bottom right, so there is no mistaking the artist, with a PWA (Pirate Wall Art crew) just for confirmation. The script letters with some diagonal hatching have an extremely deep drop shadow in turquoise and is quite different from his usual writing style. The colours and lines make the whole thing look a little bit like an illustration, and has a bit of a look of Alex Lucas about it. An unusual addition to his portfolio.
I don’t visit Montpelier Park all that often, but every time I do go, there seems to be new stuff there, so maybe I ought to increase the frequency of my trips so that I don’t miss out on beauties like this one from Stivs.
Stivs, Montpelier Park, Bristol, August 2025
Stivs is something of an enigma. His work is so varied, he is unbelievably talented, and you never really quite know what he is going to come up with next. He used to be heavy on the calligraffiti, but these days he is painting more of these portrait pieces. This one is a real stunner, and drifting ever-closer to photorealism. I am very much enjoying the ride.
This is another contribution to the Bristol Mural Collective paint jam, protesting against the war in Palestine from a couple of weeks back, painted, quite obviously, by Werm.
Werm, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2025
Werm has used has symmetrical writing to great effect, incorporating three horizontal stripes of red, green and white to represent the Palestinian flag, with the tidy 3D drop shadows providing the black colour. While I wholeheartedly support such protests, I wonder how much they will change anything. It seems that while Trump is in power, the Israeli Government will act with impunity, knowing that Trump is only interested in some kind of business transaction outcome that will make him richer and adored. He cares nothing for people, for victims.
Thank you, Bristol Mural Collective, for organising this paint jam.
I was fortunate enough to meet Scrapyardspec for the first time last weekend, and had a conversation with him that helped me to put his work into some kind of context. I’d also add that he was a really nice bloke (I was going to say young man, but somehow it sounds patronising, when it really isn’t meant to).
Scrapyardspec has been painting the streets for about two years and has lived in London, but now lives in Cheltenham (I think) but manages to get to Bristol about once a week, which would account for his productivity over recent months.
Scrapyardspec, River Avon, Bristol, August 2025
Like so many artists who work on a theme, Scrapyardspec spent a long time replicating the same basic character, but in recent weeks has been expanding the theme with additional elements. In short, he has mastered his basic approach and style and is now modifying and adapting it, adding more interest and variety to his work.
This pair of goofy characters share the same basic DNA, but one has three eyes and a wobbly tongue, where the other is more like the basic model. Both have the inclusion of brown teeth. Where this will all end up, who knows? But it is a privilege to be observing Scrapyardspec’s development.
Hemper, Dun Sum and Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2025
What a wonderful collaboration from Hemper, Dun Sum and Hypo, one that slipped a little under the radar and didn’t perhaps receive quite the fanfare it merited. Three rather different pieces, each making an individual visual impact.
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2025
To the left is one of Hemper’s shortened ‘HEMS’ pieces, where the overlapping letters are compressed laterally. This is a pattern he has been following for the last month or so, perhaps marking a quieter phase after his expansive work earlier in the summer. As ever, the piece, which has some lovely fill patterns and expert white highlights, is oozing with class.
Dun Sum, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2025
It is impossible not to be drawn to the cat character by Dun Sum. Although I have (and love) a dog, I have always been a cat person at heart. I have to say that there is something that creeps me out a little bit about this cat, perhaps it is the smile or maybe the eyes, but the overall effect bis a little intimidating, but isn’t that cats all over? It is really nicely painted and a great focal point for the graffiti writing either side of it.
Hypo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2025
To the right is another fine piece from Hypo – I say another, because he has been turning out so many great works with alarming regularity this summer. The aquamarine colours used for the fills of this piece have a tranquility about them, and with all the bubbles and spots has a distinctly aquatic feel. As I said before, three distinct individual styles coming together in this great collaboration.
Benjimagnetic I would describe very much as an occasional painter these days, but his pedigree is flawless and the works he turns out are unique and well presented. This is a recent one from the artist and spells out GRO, I think.
Benjimagnetic, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2025
I have said many times about Benjimagnetic’s work that it is as much to do with the spaces between his lines as it is with the lines and shapes themselves. He is less about fills and more about geometry, although he manages to blend in some gently fills into parts of this piece. The small writing says “The izmz of iz and iznts” a new EP from the artist. An all-round artistic talent.
Noise and Posh, Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, August 2025
This was a bit of a find, and is a collaboration between Posh and Noise, not a pairing that I would necessarily have expected, but welcome nonetheless. Tucked away in a tunnel that is infrequently painted, but has recently come alive, this is a collaboration that won’t get as much exposure as it certainly deserves.
Noise and Posh, Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, August 2025
Noise has painted some of his chunky letters with superbly worked horizontal fills and a rather nice midline in pink, which helps to add depth and interest. The ‘O’ of NOISE has been commandeered by Posh and brings together two very different styles.
Posh, Boiling Wells Lane, Bristol, August 2025
Posh has upped his game this year significantly and either works on his own, or in collaborations or augments other artist’s work, demonstrating his versatility. He has framed his little yellow posh characters within the boundary of the ‘O’, and created quite a scene, which seems to include a skateboarding kangaroo? A really unusual and fun collaboration.
Conrico has been knocking out some outstanding pieces this year, and continues on that journey with this belter, painted as part of the Bristol Mural Collective paint jam in support of the people of Palestine.
Conrico, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2025
This is a vibrant piece which mixes up Conrico’s themes. The wonderful landscape, and small house are inspired by Japanese culture, into which he has incorporated a Palestinian flag and a woman wearing a keffiyeh scarf. The dramatic sunset sky complements the piece perfectly.
Natural adventures 