6917. Stokes Croft

Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025
Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025

There are some newish hoardings at the bottom end of Stokes Croft, as the gentrification of the area once more picks up momentum. Kid Krishna has, as you would expect, pounced on these blank canvasses, but he left this space for Hemper, and what a banging piece it is too.

Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025
Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025

Overall, the piece has a copper metallic feel to it, with the highly illustrated letters spelling out HEMS. The piece is obviously an homage to DJing and to sound systems, perhaps a reference to the Blue Mountain Club that was knocked down behind these hoardings. There is too much to describe in this sensational piece, so perhaps the best way to enjoy it is to spend a moment looking at each element of it.

Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025
Hemper, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2025

Of course, you can take a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. These two are symptomatic of the world we live in, where shutting yourself off and hiding behind headphones is the norm – no effort required, no thought given to exploring the world right in front of your eyes. C’est la vie I suppose.

6905. The Carriageworks (49)

Hemper, The Carriageworks, Bristol, April 2025
Hemper, The Carriageworks, Bristol, April 2025

When I first started out noticing street art in Bristol, and subsequently writing about it, The Carriageworks was my ‘go to’ spot to find some really classy work. Alas, the gentrification of Stokes Croft, eliminated half of the spot, and what remains is rarely painted. How pleasing it was to see this beauty from Hemper, and a piece adjacent to it by Kid Krishna (posted).

Hemper, The Carriageworks, Bristol, April 2025
Hemper, The Carriageworks, Bristol, April 2025

It took me a couple of attempts to photograph this piece, because the first time I went there was a van partially covering up the writing, but I photographed it nonetheless just to make sure I had it in the can. These pictures are a much cleaner version and really highlight the magnificent of this extraordinary graffiti writing from Hemper, who has been on a roll this spring (a spring roll, if you like🙂). There is so much colour, beautifully blended, and a perfectly painted contrasting blue and black drop shadow. Another masterpiece of graffiti writing from Hemper.

6817. St Werburghs tunnel (485)

Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2025

This stunner by Hemper (who else?) has caused me a lot of grief. It was painted at the farm end of the tunnel, and had a black van parked in front of it every time I went to visit. I never did get a clean shot of the piece, so I have had to decide whether to share some rubbish pictures of it or not to share at all. I chose the former.

Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2025

This is one of a series of outstanding pieces from one of the most imaginative graffiti writers in Bristol. He has been operating at full tilt this year, and has already clocked up countless pieces, no two looking even remotely similar. It is probably a good time to update his gallery (I have just done it), which is swelling, in a positive way. These bubble letters spell out HEMS and are set on a delicious red background. The pink and blue fills are expertly worked, as you would expect. So much more to come from Hemper’s renaissance.

6807. M32 Junction 3 (666)

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2025

A major feature of the resurgence of Hemper recently has been the way he has experimented and embraced a whole raft of different styles. He has always painted original pieces, full of imagination, but I am not sure that I have seen such variation in letter shapes and overall appearance before.

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2025

This large and unusual piece spells out HEMS, obviously, but is also surrounded by a subtly coloured background of mini ‘Hems’ in a kind of bubble graffiti style of writing. This must have taken quite a while to paint, but the overall effect was worth it. Lots more to come from an artist who is on a journey of rediscovery.

6792. M32 Cycle path (285)

Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2025

Hemper’s odyssey continues with this rather nice chrome piece alongside the M32 motorway. He seems to be omnipresent at the moment and is stretching his creativity to the maximum.

Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2025

This piece is perhaps a little bit more conventional for Hemper, in so much as it is not too different from pieces he has been producing in the past. What makes it special is that as chrome pieces go (which are often a little rushed or crude) this is one of the best examples you will find. The writing, spelling HEMS is relatively low-key, but decorated to a higher standard than most chromies, and the finishing, borders etc, is completely on-point. More to come soon from a man on a mission.

6772. M32 Cycle path (284)

Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2025

Here we have yet another creative piece coming off the Hemper production line, which has gone into overdrive of late. If the cheeky worm piece didn’t spell out Hems, I’m not sure that I would ever have been able to trace it back to him. It is so different to his writing work.

Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2025

This alley is always pretty grotty, with a fair amount of fly-tipping that goes on here, as you can see from the pictures. At least we can rely on street artists brightening up the walls at the very least. Hemper has worked hard, not only to create a cheery worm spelling out Hems, but also provides a clean and happy background to round the piece off nicely. It is fast becoming impossible what Hemper might dream up next, and I am very much enjoying the ride.

6761. St Werburghs tunnel (478)

Hemper and Hypo, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper and Hypo, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2025

Hemper and Hypo have been smashing it recently, and this is a wonderful recent collaboration in the tunnel. I fear that while I am away in France I will be missing a whole bunch of their work.

Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2025

Hemper, like Kid Krishna, has had something of a lifestyle change and has come out of it all guns blazing. This is a combination piece of writing and little blue characters, which might have been a joint effort from both artists. Vibrant and energetic.

Hypo, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2025
Hypo, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2025

After a quiet January, Hypo too has been in outstanding form through February and this is yet another fine piece from him, with great colour transitions and his familiar  HYPO moniker. An outstanding collaboration.

6757. Cowmead Walk

Hemper, Cowmead Walk, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper, Cowmead Walk, Bristol, February 2025

There is no question about it, Hemper has found a new level of energy, the likes of which I haven’t seen since around Covid lockdown, when he was pretty busy also. Barely a day goes by when there isn’t a new piece by this exceptionally gifted artist. One of the most notable things about Hemper is that every piece he paints is new and creative, he rarely, if ever, revisits old designs and copies them, each one is utterly unique.

Hemper, Cowmead Walk, Bristol, February 2025
Hemper, Cowmead Walk, Bristol, February 2025

This outstanding piece is like a ‘sampler’ where each letter shows off his astonishing technique and gift for colour, shapes, patterns, design and can control. Spelling out HEMS, the H, E and S all have white accents which provide depth and a 3D effect, whereas the E is much flatter and hugs the wall. There is so much to enjoy in this piece, that it is probably wiser not to describe it, but to let you enjoy it at your leisure. I rarely use the word genius, because it is in my view overused – in this case, however, I believe it to be appropriate.

6737. M32 roundabout J3 (653)

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

I know exactly why I never posted this piece at the time I photographed it. Although I was blown away by it, I didn’t know who the artist was, and so it remained in my archive unseen. I have revisited it several times over the years, but now feel confident enough in suggesting it is by Hemper.

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

The location, the ASK tag, and the possibility that the disguised letters may spell HEMS and the sheer quality of the piece draws me to the conclusion that it is by Hemper. Whoever the artist, it remains one of my favourite pieces of crazy graffiti writing ever. Everything about it is near perfect, from concept to execution. Those stones/bubbles must have taken an age to paint, and the black ‘web’ draped around the letters is exceptional. The work of a genius.

6120. M32 Cycle path (268)

 

Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024
Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024

In Bristol we are spoilt and have become accustomed to seeing extraordinary wildstyle graffiti writing from Hemper on a regular basis. This wonderful organic piece is simply the latest in an outstanding series from the talented artist.

Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024
Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024

The letters spell out HEMS and have remarkable depth to them created through both incredible design and technique using light and shade. The whole thing almost looks like a metal plate or buckle slapped onto the wall. Subtle colours, shiny light and a cool drippy border all contribute to the overall 3D effect. What a beauty.