6078. Upfest 2024 (15)

Fyonafinn, North Street, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Fyonafinn, North Street, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

One of the interesting aspects of this year’s Upfest has been the large number of typographic writers/sign writers that have been invited, which is really quite unusual for a street art festival. Because of the format changes, and virtually no temporary hoardings being available, the other major change has been a massive reduction in the number of graffiti writers, so there is a very different ambience to the festival this time round.

This is a wonderful piece of stylised writing from Fyona Finn, a Bristol-based artist who has painted a few walls in the city in the past, but most of whose work is design. She describes herself as a lettering activist, which I think defines her style really well.

Fyonafinn, North Street, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Fyonafinn, North Street, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

There are two elements to this piece, the design of the letters, and the message. The letters are carefully arranged, and created using masking tape to generate the straight lines, and the fills drift from one letter to another in a considered way. The message “Take care of each other” is a warm and compassionate sentiment delivered at a time when compassion from an outgoing Tory government is at an all time low. This is a nice piece from Fyona Finn, and I hope to see more of her work on Bristol walls.

707. Moon Street (26)

Sky High is no stranger to the streets of Bristol and I have posted pieces by him in Magdalene Place and in Dean Lane previously. I think he is based in London, but it is always nice when he visits. This piece appeared at the same time as Upfest 2016, and although I am not aware that he was a guest artist at the event, he might well have come for the buzz, and left a little present for us.

SkyHigh, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2016
SkyHigh, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2016

Sky High has a wonderful take on wildstyle writing, which is to spell out Sky High with block lettering, each letter in a different style and colour. The overall effect is really colourful and imaginative. Definitely one for those with a designer’s eye. It would be good to see a return this year.

SkyHigh, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2016
SkyHigh, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2016