Tag: Heart

1127. Camden Town, London.

Somewhat reminiscent of Banksy’s work or Unify or JPS, this lovely piece by Dotmaster Is just about perfect for this wall. Situated under a camden council sign stating ‘bill stickers will be prosecuted’. The corny old joke suggests that graffiti under the sign should read ‘Bill Stickers is innocent’ but the joke is a hundred years old.

Dotmaster, Camden Town, London, September 2016
Dotmaster, Camden Town, London, September 2016

This beautifully executed piece presents us with a naughty child spraying that most sacred of images, a heart, on the wall. A picture within a picture. I love this and pretty much everything about it, but I know little or nothing about the artist, but his biography on his website gives you a flavour. I love his comment:

‘There is NO subculture ONLY subversion.‘

788. The Bearpit (70)

This is the second paste up by qWeRT that I have posted in recent days, and it is right in the middle of The Bearpit, but I’ll wager most people who pass through won’t even have spotted it. Another wonderfully happy piece, with a bug-eyed character holding up uits hands and creating a heart shape. Simple but pleasing.

qWeRT, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2017
qWeRT, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2017

I really like qWeRT’s work that has started to appear in Bristol. I am guessing that the artist visits from time to time, and lays down a trail of  wheatpastes probably in one session – if you get lucky, like I did, you might find several of them in a single linear walk.

qWeRT, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2017
qWeRT, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2017

A really welcome visitor to the streets of Bristol. You might just be able to see that has been placed in front of the Cheba and SPZero76 pieces.

656. North Street hoarding (6)

It seems like these hoardings have been here on North Street for years…because I think they have been. This is of course ok, because it presents graffiti artists with plenty of space to do their work.  This particular niche is a favourite for John D’oh and RIP, and here we have a philosophical piece from the latter.

RIP, North Street, Bristol, January 2017
RIP, North Street, Bristol, January 2017

The statement, positioned next to a heart reads ‘With all the battering it’s taken I’m surprised it’s still ticking’. Perhaps this lets on something about the artist’s lifestyle. I do like RIP’s work. Never too snazzy or complicated, usually a single layer stencil and often lighthearted or political. A vibrant member of SSOSVA.

622. Upfest 2016 (92)

Gemma Compton was selected as the featured artist for Upfest 2016, and her work appeared on all the promotional material for the festival, including the maps, programmes, digital social media and even the painting a mural on the Upfest shop.

Gemma Compton, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Gemma Compton, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Having put in all the hard work she was rewarded with a nice white wall to work on, and she produced this fine piece in collaboration with Copyright.

Gemma Compton, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Gemma Compton, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

I saw her busy at work on the piece, which took longer than the two days to complete, but I didn’t stop to chat, as I guessed she might have had enough interruptions over the two days. I regret that now, but I’m sure she’ll be back this year.

Gemma Compton and Copyright, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Gemma Compton and Copyright, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

The other half of this collaboration, Copyright,  is also no stranger to street art in Bristol and I have featured his work several times on this blog before. Gemma painted the left hand side of the heart, and Copyright the right. They are partners and this heart is a lovely way to mark their relationship.

Gemma Compton, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Gemma Compton, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Their styles are different, but complement each other well. One thing in common is that the subjects of both artists are pretty much always female. A nice piece…pity about the car parked in front.

Copyright, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Copyright, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Puppy love

.

Leaning in closer

their nervous young hearts pounding;

after school lovers. 

.
by Scooj

361. Upfest 2016 (18)

Lemak had said that he was planning something spectacular for Upfest this year and with this piece ‘love’ he surely didn’t disappoint. I have been hugely impressed with Bristol-based Lemak’s stencil work that I have seen, in particular his tribute to DJ Derek and his tattooed girl.

Lemak, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Lemak, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

This piece is an absolute masterclass in stencil work, and I think my favourite piece of Upfest 2016. In addition to the great composition and technical work, Lemak has introduced some innovation to the piece.

Lemak, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Lemak, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

The heart stands proud of the rest of the picture, giving it a 3D aspect. His use of chemical formulae also brings an interesting dimension to the work, but most of all it is telling a story, and the best works usually have a story to tell. I don’t think I can express how good I think this is.

Lemak, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Lemak, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

I returned to this piece several times over the three days, but wasn’t lucky enough to catch up with Lemack…perhaps next time. Utterly brilliant.

271. M32 Roundabout J3 (11)

I have been sitting on this piece for a long time. I think it is because there is something rather enigmatic about it, and I can’t think what I want to say. It is unmistakably by Sean Sepr, but somehow a little different from the custimary expression, both in the artwork and the subject.

Sepr, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Sepr detail, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

I feel it is a sad piece – a robot holding a heart – there is a lot of symbolism here. Sepr again has used limited colours – yellow, white and black – which brings out the contrast and shadows.

Sepr, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Sepr, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

For me it is a piece that I like, but it is difficult to love…if that makes sense.