A gallery of outstanding stencil work from Bristol artist Stephen Quick
Instagram: @splinteredstudios
Twitter: @StephenQuickArt
Facebook: Stephen Quick
all photographs by Scooj
Stephen Quick
Tag: Graffiti
4349. Dean Lane skate park (477)
I have always and will always love the work of Hire. Hire is one of a large contingent of Polish artists in Bristol, each one bringing something rather special to our city, and becoming part of its rich cultural heritage.
This is a beautiful piece of writing set on a deep rich red background, giving it something of a sumptuous feel. I have to confess that I am not quite sure what the repeating pattern of letters says, I am used to picking out the letters HIRE or BF, but this is a bit of a mystery. As an exercise in repetition is is a stunner, and you might have a bit of fun playing ‘spot the difference’ between the three sections. Fine work from Hire.
4348. Brunel Way (149)
I passed this spot yesterday, and unfortunately this Ukraine piece from Mr Underbite has already been overpainted, which is a pity. Mr Underbite is another new artist to Bristol, and is following in the footsteps of artists like Enn Kay, Mote, Asre and Bogat, all of whom have been spraying like mad in the last few months, and all who have made recent debuts on the pages of Natural Adventures.
Mr Underbite paints this rather lovable character with an underbite, in a comic cartoon style. In this particular piece, painted in the familiar colours of the Ukrainian flag, Mr Underbite offers a simple message ‘pray for Ukraine’. Sobering and appropriate in these troubling times. More to come from this artist soon.
4347. M32 Cycle path (170)
Alas, this piece from Asre didn’t last very long, which is a pity, because this wall tends to have a very low turnover and the writing/character combination is a good one. Although Asre has only really come into my radar in the past six weeks or so, he has managed to become part of the furniture very quickly indeed.
This piece combines some fine writing skills with one of Asre’s faces, and certainly makes an impact immediately. I don’t know much about the artist, but prior to his pieces appearing in Bristol, I suspect he was painting elsewhere, because the work is very accomplished, and his face well practised. I believe this was a birthday tribute to self.
4346. Cumberland Basin
I met Mote for the first time, not long ago, when he was painting a small piece up at Purdown Battery, and what a thoroughly pleasant experience it was too. He told me that he had always wanted to paint and get out there hitting walls, but life had taken him down a different path. Mote now finds himself in a situation where he can paint, and my goodness he has been making up for lost time. Bristol is festooned with his work, but this is the first piece of his to appear on Natural Adventures.
Mote is another character artist, specialising in monsters. His pieces tend to be smallish, but creative and imaginative. Mote uses bright colours (a lot of green) in his work and likes to keep sharp, crisp lines – he takes a lot of time to create his work, but it is time well spent. Look out for a whole ton more from this artist over coming months.
4345. Purdown AA Battery (41)
Laic217 has thrown himself into demonstrating his support for Ukraine, which probably feels rather close to home, as a Polish person, in this his third war related piece in recent weeks. Unsigned, this piece is obviously the work of Laic217, and is both hard-hitting and poignant.
To express rage and anger at dictator Putin’s war through art is a very powerful thing, and Laic217 really captures the horrors being experienced in Ukraine every minute of every day. The blue and yellow neck scarf is nicely painted with superb folds in the fabric, and the hat says it all. Another slightly unconventional piece from Laic217, and one that chronicles the major issue of our time.
4344. M32 Spot (136)
I have a feeling that you will be seeing a lot more of Bogat and his painting pal Asre on Natural Adventures over the coming weeks and months, as they have both been rather busy of late. This column piece by Bogat, might have been the first piece of his that I consciously knew was by him. Before this, I’m not sure He was on my radar.
Although this is perhaps not the best piece by Bogat, it is certainly striking and unmistakably his work. The writing in the brain is something I have seen before from another artist, but I don’t recall which one. The piece definitely stands out, and is a magnet for graffiti photographers like me, and Bogat’s work which is often tall and thin, definitely lends itself to columns.
4343. Cattle Market Road (10)
A mural artist who is rapidly developing a name for herself in Bristol is Farrah, and some recent additions to her portfolio include this wonderful piece in Cattle Market Road.
Farrah, with her abstract pieces, seems to be as comfortable with a commission as she does with a roadside hoarding like this one, and there seems to be something of a civic appetite for her work, for example I have noticed a number of planters around the city that have been decorated with her work.
This particular piece has a rather summery feel to it, reminiscent of sunflowers. The brush strokes have a movement to them and the blending of colours is so skilfully done. Farrah is an artist on the up and up.
4342. Lawrence Hill roundabout (17)
I don’t tend to visit Lawrence Hill roundabout all that often as the turnover is pretty slow, and pieces tend to get tagged quite a lot. However I did get down there about a week ago and was rewarded with quite a few decent pieces, many of them is good condition, including this rather nice Smut piece.
Smut is an artist who turns out consistently excellent pieces. A writer who uses a distinctive script style, with lovely smooth curves and sharp borders. With a few more of these it won’t be long before I have enough for a gallery. Always good to stumble across these.
4341. Greenbank (35)
So far, this year has been a good one for Billy, with her joint exhibition at the Centrespace gallery, and a series of inspirational pieces, such as this recent storyboard piece at Greenbank.
The cartoon-style storyboard is split into four segments with the narrative saying ‘I don’t shut up, I grow up, and when I look at you, I throw up’. My reading of the piece is that is is a criticism of our Government and Boris Johnson in particular at the refugee fiasco and National embarrassment brought upon us by their hostile approach to people in need.
The piece is beautifully illustrated, I love the world maps on the girl’s t-shirt, and other details like that, cleverly presented in her naive style. A really great piece from an artist whose work I am really enjoying right now.
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