4326. Greenbank (33)

Smak is an artist who always delivers work of the highest quality, even when painting quick ones. This piece is one half of a recent collaboration with fellow artist Sled One, whose cheese piece I posted a couple of weeks ago.

Smak, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Smak, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

This is another piece in support of Ukraine, and at the top left of the piece was a board (out of shot) saying ‘no war’ on a Ukrainian flag background. It is heartwarming to see so many pieces in Bristol in support of Ukraine and soon I will be dedicating a gallery to these special pieces. Smak, as ever, has smashed it with this piece of graffiti writing, using wonderful tones of blues and yellows to decorate his name. Outstanding graffiti writing at its best.

4323. Greenbank (32)

This is the second piece from Laic217 that I have seen that is overtly in support of Ukraine, and this time the content and style is much more what we would expect from him. The masked characters, that Laic217 has been painting on and off for years, now take on a rather more sinister and relevant meaning in the context of war.

Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

Set on a backdrop of a Ukrainian flag, the two characters cannot be seen, but are hidden from view by their heavy masks and headgear, rendering them anonymous. It is this anonymity (particularly of the Russian aggressors) of all that is going on in the war that contributes to our feeling of helplessness. News clips and short moments of footage, distressing interviews and reports leave us with the bare bones of a picture, and we make up the gaps in our imaginations.

This one is for Ukrainian artists and writers. Perfect.

4321. Greenbank (31)

This unusual piece from Zoe Power brings us back on topic with the most important issue of the moment, the dreadful invasion of Ukraine by the Russian dictator Putin. I am moved and humbled by the number of pieces that Bristol artists have painted supporting the Ukrainian people in their time of need – in the absence of being able to do much, showing support is a very good thing that we can all do.

Zoe Power, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Zoe Power, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

Zoe Power has used the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag to paint a dove of peace and to offer some kind words, ‘Welcome Refugees’. This is a sentiment shared by a vast number of British people, but sadly not by a government who have been overtly hostile to any kind of refugees entering the UK since coming in to power twelve years ago. In this moment, a time when Europe is seeing its greatest refugee crisis since WWII, we are once again observing their true colours, playing to their xenophobic supporters who have kept them in power all this time. Shame on our government. They do not represent me. All power to Zoe Power for speaking from the heart with compassion and love.

4317. Greenbank (30)

On the long wall at Greenbank, which really is very long indeed, is this magnificent collaborative effort from Conrico and Rozalita. The writing and portrait combo is bursting with life and colour, and is rather spectacular.

Conrico, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Conrico, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

To the left, Conrico has gone for some pretty wicked writing set on a fanciful sea, woodland and mountainous landscape. The letters have an animated feel about them and look lively on the calm and tranquil backdrop.

Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

To the right, Rozalita is continuing on her extraordinary journey of improvement and diversification. The girl with a yellow face, green hair and red beret is arguably one of her best portraits yet, and is a perfect example of how far she has come in a relatively short space of time. We are spoilt in Bristol to have Rozalita and her amazing portraits appearing all over the place.

Conrico and Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Conrico and Rozalita, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

Overall this is a lovely, cheerful collaboration. I look forward to so much more from both artists.

4307. Greenbank (29)

Just because I haven’t posted much from the PWA boys lately, doesn’t mean they haven’t been painting, it is more a reflection of just how much street art is being created in Bristol at the moment. This is a rather nice piece from Face 1st, alongside Soap.

Face 1st, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Face 1st, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

Face 1st has been painting these blocky letters a lot recently and has managed to include one of his faces, although it is rather obscured by the letters A and C. Fun stuff from this prolific artist.

4303. Greenbank (28)

The blue and yellow colours used in this piece give it away as another reference to the war in Ukraine. There is so much to like about this scene, by Sled One, painted alongside Smak, and it is typically full of fine detail and great composition, let alone the outstanding execution.

Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

I have noticed that Sled One does enjoy painting cheese, and he has excelled himself with this cheese character, full of holes and a couple of cheeky mice. His work is always fantastical, combining characters with abstract shapes sprinkled with surrealism and always with outstanding results. I like that this piece references Ukraine, without being in your face, it demonstrates that there are so many ways to support the Ukrainians.

4270. Greenbank (27)

In this piece we have something a little different from Kool Hand, different and really interesting. Painted alongside the unforgettable sushi box by Conrico, this is a letter/portrait combo.

Kool Hand, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2022
Kool Hand, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2022

The letters are ‘KH’ for Kool Hand and are being sprayed by the character. The character is unlike anything I have seen from Kool Hand before and may mark a shift in direction for his work. I am excited to see where this development takes us. A work nicely done.

4256. Greenbank (26)

Instead of turning right onto the Bristol to Bath cycle track at Greenbank as I normally do (I am a creature of habit), I decided to buck the trend and turned left towards the road bridge and was rewarded with this rather nicel little piece of graffiti writing from Mr Riks.

Mr Riks, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2022
Mr Riks, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2022

I have said before that I have a great many pieces by the artist in my archives, but I think I have only posted one before, which is rather remiss of me. This is a really nicely worked piece, neat and tidy. The fills transition beautifully from pale to dark blues, and I rather like the swishy feature that zig-zags out of the piece. All in all, very well worth turning left… a first class effort.

4253. Greenbank (25)

I think the thing I love most about this outstanding piece from Conrico is that it is probably the most surprising subject for street art imaginable. A Japanese takeaway sushi meal, still in its plastic container, is either completely bonkers or utterly inspired, and I prefer to err on the side of the latter.

Conrico, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2022
Conrico, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2022

There is no question that this is brilliantly painted in Conrico’s paint brush style, the plastic transparent box alone is worth a mention. Take a look at the delicacies inside the box, and you will notice that they spell out Conrico Steez, the full signature of the artist. I love, love, love this creative food fiesta – bravo!

4249. Greenbank (24)

It would seem that Rozalita is on something of a mission at the moment, and her work rate is on an exponential growth. But it is not only her work rate that is impressive, but the subject matter of her pieces that is changing dramatically, and this is all fantastic to see.

Rozlita, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2022
Rozlita, Greenbank, Bristol, February 2022

There is so much to like about Rozalita’s work, not only her compositions, but her paintwork itself which looks more like it has been applied with a brush than spray paint. Each component of this piece is wonderful, the portrait and horses in a blue monochrome style and the extraordinary pink orchid flowers framing the piece. Such a great surprise and yet another fine piece coming off the Rozalita conveyor belt lately.