Tag: Landscape

2774. St Werburghs tunnel (148)

I first met Sirens a few years ago in The Bearpit when he was contributing to a paint jam, I think organised by Georgie. I have had a soft spot for his work ever since. His scenes are most unconventional and unlike anything else you see in the city. Often his work contains strong horizons and vanishing points and that interface between humanity and nature.

Sirens, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
Sirens, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020

I also know that Sirens enjoys the chalenge of painting in corners, a form of anamorphic art that needs to be viewed from a certain angle in order to make sense. This naive style is instantly recognisable and although not technically up there with some of the Bristol masters, it is original and in a way aesthetically pleasing. I haven’t seen any of his work for ages so it was great to find this one at the tunnel.

2261. St Werburghs tunnel (84)

Sandwiched between Eraze and Rusk (quite some sandwich) is this rather small and understated piece by Laic217, all the more unusual for the lack of a signature. The piece was painted back in May during what must have been quite some paint jam, during which at least ten artists converged on St Werburghs tunnel.

Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2019

Laic217 had gone for a minimum of colours in the portrait but jazzed up the whole thing with a bright gold chain. The elements that link this piece to Laic217 are the zip fastener, the style of clothes and the dripping/melting effect. I’m not too sure about the ear on this piece, which appears to be a little high and large and almost blended into the cap.

2089. Hotwell Road (2)

Life is so full of surprises, and this piece by Silent Hobo rounded off a fantastic walk around Bristol during which I found several artworks completely new to me. The piece is tucked away on the side of a shop, and easily missed if you approach it from the wrong direction without looking back.

Silent Hobo, Hotwell Road, Bristol, March 2019
Silent Hobo, Hotwell Road, Bristol, March 2019

In this piece we see a fabulous blend of urban landscape in the form of the M32 and nature trying to get a grip from the ground upwards. The beautiful girl seems to be caught in the middle of the natural world and development… something of a conundrum for us all.

Silent Hobo, Hotwell Road, Bristol, March 2019
Silent Hobo, Hotwell Road, Bristol, March 2019

I love the work of Silent Hobo, particularly his characters who seem to have so much soul and mystery about them. This is a magnificent and somewhat unexpected piece.

1137. Upper Perry Hill

On an environmental leave day a couple of weeks back I was litter picking down on the New Cut, the diverted course of the tidal River Avon in Bristol. During the litter pick, one of my colleagues asked whether I had looked at a piece of street art she has been telling me about for a little while. During the lunch break, I took a short walk into Bedminster where the mural was, not far from the New Cut.

Anderw Burns Colwill, Upper Perry Hill, Bristol, November 2017
Anderw Burns Colwill, Upper Perry Hill, Bristol, November 2017

I found the piece, and instantly saw that it was by Andrew Burns Colwill, his style is so distinctive. This piece has breathed new life into what was previously a bland wall and brought with it an exotic feel – street art for a local community. It is beautiful.

Anderw Burns Colwill, Upper Perry Hill, Bristol, November 2017
Anderw Burns Colwill, Upper Perry Hill, Bristol, November 2017

This work has a lovely watercolour quality to it. The details of the piece poke through a misty haze, and the derelict archway give it a classical feel, the whole thing being soulful, peaceful and romantic. I’m not sure if the church is based on a real one or whether it is from Burns Colwill’s mind, probably the latter.

Anderw Burns Colwill, Upper Perry Hill, Bristol, November 2017
Anderw Burns Colwill, Upper Perry Hill, Bristol, November 2017

I am a big fan of Andrew Burns Colwill’s work, and have found him great company on the few occasions I have met him. One day I will go for that drink with him and get that interview he agreed to some months ago!

745. The Bearpit (62)

The ‘paint Jam’ organised on 8 April coincided with a beautiful and sunny Spring day. Unfortunately, there were not as many artists as one might have hoped for, but it was all a bit last-minute, so any turn out was good.

Sirens, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2017
Sirens, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2017

I came across an artist I had not met before, but whose work has recently been creeping onto my radar…Sirens. I stopped and chatted for a while with this really interesting artist, who likes to grab people’s attention in places where they least expect it. He has been working with painting on plastic sheeting suspended between trees in local woodlands, drawing attention to his ideas in unusual places.

Sirens, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2017
Sirens, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2017

Much of his work contains an environmental theme and messages, contrasting beauty with urban landscapes. This piece ‘head for hope’ reminds me a little of the scene in the Terry Gilliam film ‘Brazil’ where the car drives along a road with high walls, beyond which is beautiful countryside. Look out for more from Sirens here.