6377. M32 Cycle path (275)

Mena, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2019
Mena, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2019

In this last look back at 2019 (for the time being), I am posting five pieces from the wall on the M32 Cycle path, which never made it onto Natural Adventures at the time. There is some poignancy to this post and the feature piece by Mena (Menas), because I have recently heard that Mena is currently recovering from a bad accident she had while travelling in Thailand. She is back in the UK, but quite unwell. This is my small way of wishing her a full recovery, and I dedicate this retrospective post to her. I expect you’ll see a few pieces, from various artists, in the coming days and weeks that will be wishing her well.

This is a particularly fine example of her work, and although she doesn’t paint all that regularly, her pieces are always welcome. I am not certain that all of the following pieces were painted as part of a paint jam, but I suspect they were.

Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2019
Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2019

Ryder is most definitely a graffiti writer’s writer, if you know what I mean, he is highly respected in the community and turns out some of the best graffiti writing in the city which he has done for quite some while. This piece is rather more subtle than most of his work, and perhaps doesn’t quite have the impact we would normally expect. I’m not sure these light shades quite work (for me).

T-Rex, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2019
T-Rex, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2019

Finding anything by T-Rex is always a treat, and this is a classy example of her great work. the writing/character combination always works a treat. The dinosaur always adds a touch of light-heartedness to the edgy nature of graffiti writing.

Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2019
Hemper, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2019

Hemper has used a similar colour palette to Ryder, and for me it all just looks a little washed out. There is no doubting the superb skills of the artists, but on this day, I think they chose a weak colour palette, and perhaps that is why I never posted these pieces back in June 2019.

Soker, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2019
Soker, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2019

Finally, and very possibly not part of the paint jam, is this bright and colourful piece from Soker, displaying his graffiti writing credentials to the max. Superb letter shapes and fills mark this piece out, I only wish my photographic skills could do it justice.

6285. M32 Cycle path (274)

Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2024
Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2024

This amazing portrait piece by Pekoe is simply perfect. It appeared shortly after the far right riots that flared up recently in the wake of the stabbing of three girls in Southport. I won’t share my thoughts on the riots here, but I suspect that my feelings are consistent with the vast majority.

Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2024
Pekoe, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, August 2024

Pekoe has her own way of answering back at the far right thugs, by hitting them where it hurts, their ego, with a speech bubble that puts down fascism in a single blow, “hot girls hate fascists”. The words alone are enough, but she accompanies it with one of her fabulous portraits. The right piece in the right place at the right time. Bravo Pekoe.

6277. M32 Cycle Path (273)

Nips, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, July 2024
Nips, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, July 2024

What better way to start the day than with a nice, crisp chrome piece from Nips. What a pity I didn’t get there before the tagger, but that is all part of the way of life in this jungle. Everyone knows what the rules are, and whatever existing rules can be broken at any time by anyone.

Nips, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, July 2024
Nips, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, July 2024

There is an uncomplicatedness about this piece that speaks of an artist who is comfortable with their work. No need to embellish or over-decorate. Sometimes less is more, and I would suggest that is the case here. I haven’t yet met Nips, and look forward to the day when I might just be in the right place at the right time to do so.

6175. M32 Cycle path (272)

Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024
Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024

This year, we haven’t really had to wait too long before being treated to a Laic217 piece on a reasonably regular basis, and this is one of his most recent works on the M32 cycle path. What Laic217 has presented us with here is a rather trippy, and slightly menacing (those black fingernails like talons) piece that plays into his penchant for face distortion.

Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024
Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024

Although the piece is nicely executed, I personally find it a little unsettling, which I am sure is the point. Laic217 will push the boundaries in a way that his art can. His solid, tight, block letters contrast really well with the unconventional character portrait. Not my favourite piece by Laic217, but a great example of the way he challenges us to see things.

6169. M32 Cycle path (271)

Bogat, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024
Bogat, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024

Although Bogat doesn’t paint as frequently as I might like, he does just enough to keep the interest out there, and I am sure that he probably intends to paint more than he does, but as it is for all of us, other stuff gets in the way. This one was painted last month on the wall behind the Black Swan.

Bogat, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024
Bogat, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024

Bogat has created a colourful cartoon character using the two-tone light and dark technique for his base colours. Many artists use this method and probably the best example of this is Bean, who uses it to great effect. I particularly like the eyes of this character, which look like they have flat reflections, almost as if they were glasses. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for more from Bogat.

6163. M32 Cycle path (270)

Face 1st, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2024
Face 1st, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2024

What a surprise this piece by Face 1st is. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like it from him before, and had he not signed it, I might have struggled to guess it was one of his, although once you know, there are some signs you can read with hindsight.

Face 1st, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2024
Face 1st, M32 cycle path, Bristol, June 2024

There is something very beautiful and homely about this piece and I assume it is a portrait of Ella, one of his children maybe. I find the whole piece very touching and full of love. I particularly like the wooden table, and the girl’s freckles. I love it when artists do something unexpected like this, demonstrating their range and versatility. This is brilliant from Face 1st.

6136. M32 Cycle path (269)

Hypo, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024
Hypo, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024

Hypo has been smashing it for a while now, and not only creating some outstanding graffiti writing pieces, but also switching things up a fair bit too, in terms of style and presentation. In this piece on the M32 Cycle path, he has framed his letters within quite a tight area, and pulled it off really well.

Hypo, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024
Hypo, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, June 2024

The gold and silver letters are nicely designed with a kind of post-industrial weight to them, there is chunkiness and brutalism about the letters, and the red border with big drips speaks of a kind of pain, a bloodletting that comes with industrialisation. My interpretation only of course. Something a little different and challenging but also well presented by Hypo.

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.

6084. M32 Cycle path (267)

 

Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024
Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024

It is great to see Benjimagnetic out and about again after a bit of a winter lull. He appears to have returned with a slight upgrade to his style that feels rather fresher and is exciting. The colours of this piece shout out loudly and attract the eye, with the orange splashes rounding things off so well.

Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024
Benjimagnetic, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, May 2024

The letters BEN can be seen if you know to look for them. Benjimagnetic is known for his tidy designs and styling made up of thin lines, which can be seen throughout this piece. Well finished and classy, this is a lovely piece by the artist, and a taste of things to come.

6025. M32 Cycle path (266)

Taboo, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2024
Taboo, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2024

I had to return to this spot to get some decent photographs of this unusual piece by Taboo, as the first lot were covered in shadows, but that is how it works. I work on the principle of always taking pictures of a new piece, whatever the light conditions, because it could be tagged or overpainted within hours. If I get a second chance to take better pictures, then that is a bonus.

Taboo, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2024
Taboo, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2024

Taboo has had quite a quiet period over the last six months or so, so it was good to find this one on the Cycle path. In his unique antistyle graffiti writing, Taboo manages to combine his unusual letters with characters, in this case a kind of grinning pig. I suspect the pig reference relates to the police, because he has included the words “No good cops. (Sorry)” which I guess is a polite way of saying ACAB. Looking forward to seeing more from Taboo as the summer unfolds.