Tag: Lemak

916. Dean Lane skate park (68)

I was very excited when I saw this paste up by Lemak, and exceptionally talented Bristol stencil artist. Excited because I had seen a short video of him creating it on his Instagram feed only the day before. So this really was hot off the press.

Lemak, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Lemak, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017

I passed by the wall last Friday and it has been badly tagged, so it was fairly short lived, which is a pity. Whenever I see great pieces that are dogged or ruined I am reminded of the fantastic line in Bladerunner – ‘the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long‘ and so it often is with great street art.

Lemak, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Lemak, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017

I love the crisp collage effect with the graff all around – some similarities with the work of PichiAvo?

819. Raleigh Road, Tobacco Factory (8)

The best part about this picture is that I got to meet the artist Lemak, who I have admired for some time, and who creates some of the very best multi layered stencils I have seen. This piece, space cadet, is an exceptional example of the complex and painstaking work Lemak produces.

Lemak, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017
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He was telling me that it takes a very long time to cut the stencils for something like this, which is pretty much life size. The payback comes with selling limited numbers of the stencilled original. Talented beyond doubt, and his income drives further work…something of a virtuous circle.

Lemak, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017
Lemak, Raleigh Road, Bristol, May 2017

Lemak is a real gent, and happy to stop and have a chat. This piece was part of the paint jam organised by Stephen Quick, and sprayed at the same time as the Quick/Adamaszek collaboration featured here a couple of weeks ago. This is a great stencil.

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.

269. Dean Lane skate park (9)

There are a great many talented artists out there, I mean really talented, that choose to paint on the walls of our streets from time to time. I guess these people must enjoy it, because the work is often so fleeting, and the footfall of appreciating viewers is small. What I am rather clumsily trying to say is that creating street art, because you can must be very fulfilling, and that is a good thing.

Lemak, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, June 2016
Lemak, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, June 2016

This incredible piece is by Lemak, and in my view is technically brilliant. However, it is tucked around the back of some skating ramps and will be seen by so few people before it is over-painted. I have my photograph, and I am very happy with that, but a part of me feels sad that all the effort that has gone into this remarkable stencil? work will be lost so soon.

Lemak, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, June 2016
Lemak, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, June 2016

I have been writing about street art long enough to know that the ephemeral nature of it is understood and accepted by all, but when confronted by a piece such as this I wish it weren’t so. Lemak was the artist who created this beautiful tribute to DJ Derek back in April 2016.

Lemak detail, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, June 2016
Lemak detail, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, June 2016