Conventional wisdom

 

In the seventies

the country was much greener;

rose-tinted glasses.

 

by Scooj

 

  • A convenient narrative adopted by pro-Brexit campaigners urging a return to the ‘good old days’ before we were told what to do by Europe. The facts rather contradict this romantic notion, and certainly my recollection of growing up in London in the 1970s is not a pleasant one – choking car fumes, filth and litter everywhere and heavily polluted rivers, our countryside didn’t fare much better. What did European regulations ever do for us…? (Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive, the Birds Directive, Bathing Waters Directive, Air Quality Framework Directive and others).

 

846. Leonard Lane (11)

Sirens is getting rather busy all over Bristol at the moment, and here is a recent piece that he produced in my favourite Bristol backwater, Leonard Lane. What to make of this piece?

Sirens, Leonard Lane, Bristol, June 2017
Sirens, Leonard Lane, Bristol, June 2017

What Sirens has done here is create a green space in a sea of messy graffiti. I believe it is metaphorical as well as physical and therefore has a double impact. Even more unexpected is that this is, so he says on his Instagram account, a six layered stencil and took a long time to do.

Sirens, Leonard Lane, Bristol, June 2017
Sirens, Leonard Lane, Bristol, June 2017

The abstract nature of this work is at complete odds with the chaos that surrounds it. A small green window of tranquility. It has an impressive impact on those that venture down this ancient lane.

Get out there and vote

 

Today I exert

my right as a citizen

to do the right thing.

 

by Scooj

Going green

 

Few things are so clear

my conscience will be my guide

and the Earth the prize.

 

by Scooj

736. Dean Lane skate park (43)

I took this picture some time ago, and have never been able to find out who it was by. I felt, though that it was worth posting, because it is really quite unusual and not the kind of thing you normally see at Dean Lane.

Unknown artist, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2016
Unknown artist, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2016

I like the piece a great deal, it is very well executed and the colours spectacular. What is going on here for the girl with the green sneakers? Who is this by?

 

Hubbub

 

Crows on College Green

caw amidst the roar of the

City-bound busses.

 

by Scooj

557. Picton Lane (7)

Tucked away in this little lane in Montpelier is this nice work by Jee See. Here he combines his ‘seismic’ writing with his stencil favourite of a military style girl, both of which can be found separately in Bristol.

Jee See, Picton Lane, Bristol, September 2016
Jee See, Picton Lane, Bristol, September 2016

The colours of this piece are what really make it stand out from the other graffiti in the area. Jee See is an artist with a different and interesting style and is starting to make his mark in this incredible city.

Jee See, Picton Lane, Bristol, September 2016
Jee See, Picton Lane, Bristol, September 2016

484. Upfest 2016 (58)

It was impossible not to notice this bright and arresting piece by Kier (Chiara Frei) at Upfest this year. The three panels spelled out the phrase ‘Be the one you want to be‘ showing three green and purple portraits with interchangeable face parts.

Kier, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Kier, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

From her website, Chiara describes herself as a graphic designer who loves her job and is happy to learn new things. Beyond that she prefers not to say too much about herself.

Kier, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Kier, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Her choice of colours and subject for Upfest meant that her piece really caught the eye. I went back to it two or three times, just to take another look. There was something about it.

Kier, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Kier, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

One for the planet

 

So the die is cast

not Dave, not Ed, not Nige, no!

Natalie for me

 

by Scooj

Haiku 2

 

Your curious form

subtle cryptic camouflage

in Summer meadows.

 

by Scooj