Tag: Graffiti

1618. Leonard Lane (17)

Regular readers will know I don’t like to post pieces unless I know the artist, but sometimes it simply isn’t possible. This really unusual piece in Leonard Lane is in a more traditional fine art style, but added to that it incorporates some leaves that have been sprayed with metallic paint which make up the subject’s headdress.

Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, January 2018
Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, January 2018

When I see pieces like this, I guess that they are by artists wanting to give some outdoor work a go. Leonard Lane is probably the perfect place for this on account of it being a quiet backwater full of graffiti and very few ‘enforcers’. An interesting piece.

1617. St Werburghs tunnel (32)

I am loving this apparent renaissance by PWA’s brilliant Soap. I say apparent because He seems to have become much more busy on the streets in recent months and is posting like crazy on his Instagram feed. Whether this is a real thing or simply my perception is no matter really, he is putting out some great work at the moment.

Soap, St Werberghs, Bristol, July 2018
Soap, St Werberghs, Bristol, July 2018

This is a spectacular piece of writing, spelling out his name and incorporating some of his favourite themes, including the mouth and bones. The colours are perfectly selected and complement each other beautifully. I love the little bone cross decorations. Bravo!

1616. The Bearpit (155)

One of the things I admire about street artists is that they tend to have a distinctive style that they carry through all of their work – this becomes more obvious when you group their works together in galleries, which I have started doing with Aspire, 3Dom, Mr Draws, Andy Council and Deamze.

In this case the work of Daz Cat has such a strong expression that even when his work doesn’t feature a cat or a dog, it is still utterly unmistakable – this is one artist who doesn’t need to sign his work.

Daz Cat, The Bearpit, Bristol, July 2018
Daz Cat, The Bearpit, Bristol, July 2018

This piece ‘Haven’t a clue what’s going on!’ is a little unusual and slightly unsettling, but nicely conceived and very nicely executed. I wonder if the sentiment is expressed about the Council’s stance to restrict the street/graffiti art in The Bearpit…of course it might have nothing to do with that at all. Another nice piece from Daz Cat.

1615. Dean Lane skate park (147)

On the left hand side of the long wall at Dean Lane is this lovely piece of writing from INUK. I have never come across this graffiti artist before, but have been able to find out a little bit about him from the Interweb thing. He comes from London and took his name from the Inuit of Greenland. He chose INUK because he used to get called Eskimo as a boy.

INUK, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2018
INUK, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2018

He seems to be a man on a mission to keep on doing something that he just really enjoys, and takes pride in what he has done. This piece is nicely done – great to have a background and then some real effort put into the letters and fills. There are some similarities with Inkie’s style, possibly the striped 3D fill and thick black outline on the letters. This Londoner is welcome to return any time.

1614. North Street

I have a feeling that this piece was stencilled by John D’oh during last year’s Upfest, but because it is on a shutter, I just haven’t seen it as I’m not usually in Bedminster outside normal working hours. For those not familiar with David Attenborough (is there anyone on this blue planet?) the phrase used by John D’oh is an affectionate ribbing of one of Attenborough’s much used phrases, spoken in whispered tones.

John D'oh, North Street, Bristol, July 2018
John D’oh, North Street, Bristol, July 2018

The stencil is very typical of John D’oh’s work, although in this instance devoid of politics. There is something a little unfortunate about the monkey in the top right glancing down at Attenborough – his face appears to be a graffiti cock and bals, which is what I hought it was the first time I saw it. I’m not sure if this is deliberate or not, but once pointed ut it is difficult not to see it (sorry). Nice work again from John D’oh.

1613. Watercress Road

This is a great example of how a small piece of Street art can really brighten up a place and fit in well with the surroundings. I took the picture a week or so ago and couldn’t remember the name of the street (and what a name!), so I went on to Google maps and found it. I did a little streetview tour and saw that this wall had not been in great repair and certainly wasn’t something that you would take a second look at.

Graft Workshop, Watercress Road, Bristol, July 2018
Graft Workshop, Watercress Road, Bristol, July 2018

So well done to the owner for repairing the wall commissioning the excellent Graft Workshop to create this magnificent piece which faces the St Werburghs City Farm. I guess the goat was chosen to reflect the City Farm. The piece itself is beautifully done and reminds me a little of the work of Oze Arv who came to Bristol for Upfest 2017. I’d like to find more street work from this fine collective.

1612. M32 Spot (23)

I’m really pleased that I photographed this column piece by Kid Crayon when I did, because I returned last week and it has been really badly tagged. It is a great ‘brain dump’ kind of piece with all sorts of themes and ideas going on. Almost like a collage.

Kid Crayon, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Kid Crayon, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018

The identity card is a theme that Kid Crayon has used some years ago on a wheatpaste tucked down a side street – it was one of the first pieces of his that I found. Everything else here seems a little bit surreal and eclectic.

Kid Crayon, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Kid Crayon, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018

I think that rather than try to interpret the work it is far wiser to just look at it and admire it. I’m not sure if it is deliberate or not, but the guy in the red bucket hat looks a lot like KC himself and I wonder if it is a self-portrait. All good from one of my fave artists.

1611. The Bearpit (154)

This bunny by NEVERGIVEUP managed to avoid my eagle eyes and got lost in an archive. Sometimes I think this happens when I photograph a lot of pieces by the same artist in one session and have to spread out posting about them…and then they just get locked out, until I do a bit of an archive dive. Am I making any sense at all?

Nevergiveup, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2018
Nevergiveup, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2018

This Rabbit has the tripple treatment, three eyes, three teeth, three belly buttons, three crowns, but oddly four ears. You can look at the ears however as three pairs of ears. It is a nice variation on a theme that shows NGU is capable of mixing things up a bit.

1610. Dean Lane skate park (146)

I haven’t seen much from Ugar recently other than this chrome piece at Dean Lane. I like the way that writers are constantly practicing and refining their lettering and details.

Ugar, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2018
Ugar, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2018

I have only met Ugar one time, and it was in this exact spot, I think that he favours the relative safety of spraying at Dean Lane. I have seen his work at The Bearpit, but only collaborations with Kid Crayon.

1609. M32 Spot (22)

This is the third piece I have posted by KiKi? but I am still none the wiser about who the artist is nor indeed if they are actually called KiKi, I mean from this work it might even be Steven.

Kiki, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018
Kiki, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2018

A sea monster probably, which reminds me in style a little of Norse carvings. There is something naive about the piece, but technically is is very nicely finished. I am on a mission to discover more about KiKi.