Tag: Graffiti

1864. Star and Garter (1)

I have known this spot for a long while now, and have visited it a couple of times in the past, but there hasn’t been much that I have been able to get my teeth in to…that is until now. This is a really fabulous piece of writing from PWA’s Soap. Great design, vibrant colours and lovely crisp lines.

Soap, Star and Garter, Bristol, November 2018
Soap, Star and Garter, Bristol, November 2018

I particularly like the way the colours bleed out of the top right hand side in smokey clouds – a clever effect. PWA (Pirate Wall Art) have really been showing the way over the last six months or so, and are a dominant force in the Bristol street art scene. Great spot, great work from Soap.

1863. New Stadium Road (10)

Back in one of his favourite spots, Deamze is at it again with one of his wildstyle writing plus cartoon combos.On this occasion no amount of research is going to help me identify the cartoon character. It is one of those that you either know or you don’t.

Deamze, New Stadium Road, Bristol, October 2018
Deamze, New Stadium Road, Bristol, October 2018

These pieces seem to come so easily to Deamze, and yet I’m sure there is a lot of hard work that goes into producing each one, especially as his lines are so sharp and precise. I wonder if after so much practice Deamze can simply freestyle these or whether he follows a plan – as I’ve not yet met him (I think we have different biological clocks) I’ve never been able to ask him. One day maybe.

1862. M32 roundabout J3 (105)

The first time I saw this figure by Face 1st it had some posters rather unhelpfully draped over her face. On returning some days later, the posters were gone and she was revealed in all her glory.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

At any one time there must be four or five pieces by Face 1st on this roundabout, and as soon as one is covered over, another one seems to appear. This one belongs to the group of full figure ‘face girls’ that the artist has started doing lately and I have to say I am a big fan. There is always something soft and beautiful in his work, never threatening or aggressive. Another winner.

1861. M32 roundabout J3 (104)

Busy, busy, busy like a bee, a Tasha Bee, who I fear may have ants in her pants. It seems that Tasha Bee never sits still and is just incredibly productive, spraying her beautiful faces here, there and everywhere. I cannot keep up.

Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

This gorgeous one is from a couple of weeks back and has a lovely colour palette…there is something about that soft green face that due to its faintness draws you in to take a closer look. This is Tasha Bee at her best.

1860. M32 roundabout J3 (103)

Hemper is something of an enigma, as indeed are so many street artists in Bristol. Other than that he has long experience spraying in the city and that he is highly regarded by his peers, I really know very little about him.

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

This is a wonderfully sophisticated piece of wildstyle writing that disguises the letters HEMS, each of the letters in alternate white or black paint. The interlocking of the letters is something of a marvel, and just looking at the piece makes my mind boggle. It really is very good.

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

I particularly like the little green spheres that set the whole thing off, and feel that without them it might have looked a little sterile. This is the second piece I have posted from a recent paint jam at this spot.

1859. St Werburghs tunnel (52)

Deep in the heart of St Werburghs tunnel, and painted in insipid colours to match the poor and rather orange lighting, is this magnificent piece by Zake. I have only recently tracked him down on Instagram, and he doesn’t give away much, so for the time being I can’t shed much light on the piece nor the artist.

Zake, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2018
Zake, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2018

I have only seen his column pieces under the M32 to date, so this was a real treat of a find. The piece as a whole is mildly disturbing, probably in part because of the lack of pupils in the eyes and the centipedes framing the faces, let alone what is coming out of their mouths. This is such an original piece and one that really works for me, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

1858. M32 roundabout J3 (102)

Hurrah – I just love it when paint jams are held on this wall. There is clearly some organising that goes on to buff the entire length of wall in a common colour and for all the artists to share a colour scheme. This is the first of several posts from this particular recent gathering and I chose to start with Rowdy, because it is a while since I posted any of his work.

Rowdy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Rowdy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

One of the godfathers of Bristol street art, Rowdy shows us the way with a stack of his trademark crocodiles that can be found scattered all over the City. A simple concept stylishly presented and emblematic of the Bristol scene. I love this piece, and just take a look at the detail in the eyes. What does it al mean?

1857. M32 roundabout J3 (101)

This is an absolutely stunning piece of 3D writing by one of Bristol’s most talented young artists, Sikoh. There are only two other artists I know of in Bristol who can form 3D lettering as well as this and they are Zase and Lokey, so he is in very good company indeed.

Sikoh, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Sikoh, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

The letters spell out ‘Inspectah Deck’ and it is a tribute to the rapper/producer/actor. It is at this point that I have to disclose that my knowledge of rap and hip hop are not good, and despite an eclectic taste in music and good education, I know little of this genre…a major disadvantage for a street/graffiti art rapporteur. So I’ll focus on the art rather than the subject of the art. I’ll not say too much about this piece, because its quality is evident. Take a while to marvel at the shadows and accents. This is a beauty.

1856. M32 Spot (32)

This quick one from Soap is another fine example of a Halloween piece which cleverly incorporates a pumpkin into the trademark design that Soap uses. The eyes doubling up as mouths complete with tongue and teeth works pretty well for a spooky effect, but is something Soap does with many of his pieces.

Soap, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018
Soap, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018

The columns in the M32 spot really lend themselves to these smaller vertical works, and because each one has four sides there is a whole lot of ‘canvas’ for artists to work with. Always fun with Soap.

1855. Brighton Street (1)

I have known about this wonderful piece by Decay for quite some time, but just haven’t had the time to get to this part of St Pauls until very recently. The abstract work was painted to mark the St Pauls carnival and Decay has exchanged his usual greys, blacks and reds for the Rastafarian colours of red, gold and green.

Decay, Brighton Street, Bristol, November 2018
Decay, Brighton Street, Bristol, November 2018

I feel like I have had slight withdrawal symptoms from having seen so little of Decay’s work since Upfest, so finding this was just what the doctor ordered. His abstract formation, or variations of it, are always pleasing to the eye and so distinctive that no signature is required. Nobody else does anything like this.