Tag: Graffiti

838. Upfest 2016 (131)

This is a stunning piece by Naskool that was situated on hoardings just off North Street, next to the Green. Naskool is an Austrian artist who started spraying in 2004 and now specialises in photorealistic street art.

Naskool, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Naskool, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

I managed to take pictures while he was still creating this piece, and it is interesting to see how he built the layers. It seems different artists adopt different techniques.

Naskool, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Naskool, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

This is one of the great works of the 2016 festival in my view – the expression and character that oozes from this piece is quite captivating. Alas, it didn’t last very long, as these hoardings were fairly swiftly ‘corporatised’ by the construction firm who are developing the site.

837. M32 Spot (5)

Another column under the M32, and another brilliant piece which is impossible to do justice to with my limited photographic skills. This distinctive and crisp piece is by Zase and Dekor with an imaginative and creative underwater scene.

Zase and Dekor, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
Zase and Dekor, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017

I love the artistic style of this duo and the combination of the wildstyle 3D ZASE lettering combined with a fantastical scene.

Zase and Dekor, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
Zase and Dekor, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017

The interesting thing about painting a column is that the story that unfolds is caught up in a loop, never-ending. There is no beginning and no end, simply a scene. This must present a bit of a challenge to the artists who choose to spray all four sides.

Zase and Dekor, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
Zase and Dekor, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017

There is a wit and charm about this particular work – the diver is holding a roller and seems unaware of the looming shark. Perhaps he will beat it off using his artistic weapon of choice. I am a fan of this project, but columns really are a nightmare.

836. Dean Lane skate park

This is a wonderful small piece – stylised and anarchic by Lumagro at the far side of one of the Dean Lane walls. I love his line drawings and the humour he brings to this piece. The colours too are fantastic.

Lumagro, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Lumagro, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017

This is only the second piece I have seen by this magnificent artist, and it was sprayed on the same occasion as his first. These are so different and really add something to the Bristol scene. More please Lumagro.

835. Dean Lane skate park (58)

This is an unusual and surreal piece by an unusual artist. I don’t really know too much about him, but I know he has been spraying down at Dean Lane for a considerable number of years.

Haka, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Haka, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017

This piece is peculiar in many ways, but there is a big story going on somewhere here. Built around a tank there are mountains, aliens, buildings and a robot character…make something of that.

Haka, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Haka, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017

There is also a tribute to CK One, who passed away in December 2011, but is still remembered fondly in the Bristol graffiti art fraternity.

834. Raleigh Road, Tobacco Factory (9)

I love the stencil work of Stephen Quick, and I love Star Wars, so this was a nice treat for me to find. The piece is attached next to the front gate of the car park to the Tobacco Factory and looks out onto the street with a quiet modesty.

Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road Tobacco Factory, Bristol, May 2017
Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road Tobacco Factory, Bristol, May 2017

I guess it is a tribute piece to the amazing Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia. Stephen Quick is becoming a bit of a specialist at tributes to the stars…which is a little unfortunate, but they are also a wonderful way of recognising how important these people are in our lives.

Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road Tobacco Factory, Bristol, May 2017
Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road Tobacco Factory, Bristol, May 2017

A New Hope is simply shortened to HOPE – there is a story here somewhere. Simple, moving and some great drips. Nice work from Stephen.

833. M32 Spot (4)

A couple of weekends ago, there was a small gathering of Bristol street/graff artists underneath the M32 in the dry weather DIY skateboarding area known as the M32 Spot. The Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) had used their reach, to encourage some artists to adorn the concrete pillars under the motorway. There will be several posts on this particular gathering.

Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017

First off is this fabulous piece by Jee See, whom I was fortunate enough to meet, at last, as he was just finishing off this piece (not the bloke in the picture). Square pillar works are a devil to photograph, due to the different light intensities on each of the sides and the background lighting ranging from very dark to very bright.

Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017

I guess the pillars must be rather challenging for the artists too. Jee See told me that Japanese the writing on the side of the pillar says Gothic Chav, although I might have got that wrong.

Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017
Jee See, M32 Spot, Bristol, June 2017

All in all this is a nicely thought out piece in which Jee See expresses his thoughts . I enjoy his work very much, and perhaps a little more now having seen him at work. An  guy with some cool things to say/spray.

831. M32 roundabout J3 (40)

It has been a little while since I have seen a Sled One piece, but this one has been worth waiting for. A crocodile, or is it an alligator? with SLED written into the main part of the body.

Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017

There is a lot to like about this piece; the colours, the backdrop design, the writing and of course the reptile with its stylish purple glasses. This was my second attempt at photographing the work. The first time was on a very bright day, and there was a shadow cast across half of the wall…sometimes overcast days can be a blessing.

Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017
Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017

830. M32 Roundabout j3 (39)

I was lucky enough to meet Ments at the Graffiti Nation exhibition opening evening at the Upfest shop in April. As with all other graffiti artists, he looked nothing like the image I had conjured up in my mind. It is interesting what assumptions we are capable of making before actually meeting a person.

Ments, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2017
Ments, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2017

Ments came to Bristol but is originally from East Anglia, and if street art is your thing, it is probably an obvious move to make. This piece is of such a high quality and showcases the organic feel he gives to his work.

Ments, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2017
Ments, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, June 2017

This wildstyle writing is complex, but look carefully and you might be able to make out the letters MENTS. His work is so distinctive and seems to improve from piece to piece.

829. Leonard Lane (10)

Since I first ‘found’ Leonard Lane about two years ago, I have been back many times to see if there is any new art down there. Sometimes I get lucky, and this was one of those occasions.

Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, April 2017
Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, April 2017

This is an unusual piece by an unknown artist (please let me know if you know who painted it), who seems to have used the narrow alleyway to practice some outdoor fine art. The reclining woman is nicely painted, but it is the face that steals it for me – really nicely done.

Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, April 2017
Unknown artist, Leonard Lane, Bristol, April 2017

It seems incongruous placed alongside graffiti and tags, but somehow it enhances the piece somewhat. A bit like a DIY PichiAvo piece. I would love to know more about this unusual piece, but suspect it will remain a bit of a mystery.

827. City Road (4)

Some weeks ago now, I had a great walk home from work, and discovered several wheatpastes by qWeRT. This one was rather better concealed than others I had spotted, and photographing it was a little awkward because the householder was sitting in the doorway, soaking up the sun. I asked if they minded me taking a picture…I don’t think they had even noticed this little gem on their own doorstep. Oh well.

qWeRT, City Road, Bristol, April 2017
qWeRT, City Road, Bristol, April 2017

I am fond of these googly eyed characters, there is something endearing and playful about them. As you will know by now, I am fond of a good paste up, and this one doesn’t disappoint.