There has been a renaissance of sorts in Bristol over the last couple of years or so with the arrival of a merry band of Spanish artists, several of whom are outstanding graffiti writers. Front and centre of this throng is Todoaciem whose near-perfect writing form is a joy to behold.
Todoaciem, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020
This piece on the M32 roundabout is typical of his structured ornate calligraphy style which spells out CIEM1, although it takes a trained eye to work this out – I am still learning. The colour selection works well and this combination of shades of pink and blue are often used by street artists because they make a piece stand out. Great graffiti writing.
It says Biers and that makes me happy. Biers went through a phase over the last 18 months or so of writing OhYeah, but reverted to Biers at some point during lockdown. His Instagram handle is Jimothy_Cool_Aid, but Biers will do.
Biers, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
This is a nice little piece tucked around the corner on the M32 roundabout and includes a little ghost for good measure. The piece has the heading high spirits, which is a word play on the ghost smoking a spliff. The letter shapes are great and the fills ‘to die for’. A nice modest one from Biers.
Wow, just wow. This is a very bold and attractive piece from Mest that cries out for attention, and interestingly received loads. Many of the Bristol Street art Instagrammers posted this outstanding piece, not surprisingly, but have a tendency to overlook this prolific artist. It just shows what an eye-catching piece can do.
Mest, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020
I have to say that I love this piece and have been enjoying his work of late – I guess I only became aware of him a few months ago, but even in that short time I have seen some real progress. The lesson here is that if you want to be noticed use black yellow and red – nature’s warning colours.
The last Subtle piece I saw before I found this one in October was way back in June, so it was very nice indeed to stumble across it. I don’t know how, but these pictures managed to get trapped in my production line of posts which is why it is a little out of sequence (it was not a delve into my archives which happens from time to time).
Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October2020
I have always liked Subtle’s work and this piece in chrome set on pink and purple circles is a beauty. There is a story here somewhere – there are four bullet holes in the chrome letters and underneath the piece are the words ‘The Heart Breaker’. To the right is a chrome flamingo (pink, surely?) drinking a cocktail. Curious to say the least. Sharp lines, great solid fills and that wonderful Subtle letter shape – good work all round.
Another one from a little earlier this year, and what a beauty it is from Hemper. This is a fantastically intricate piece of wildstyle writing from the artist in which each letter of the word HEMPERS (I think) is written with a completely independent style and colour regime and each is wonderfully elaborate.
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2020
I had a conversation with Hemper earlier in the year when he was painting this same wall, and he told me that he usually freestyles his pieces with a mental picture of roughly how he wants it to turn out. Well if this was what was in his head he has turned out a real gem. Exceptional work from an exceptional graffiti writer.
This rather sweet little collaboration first appeared a couple of weeks ago in mid-October and brings together the talents of CD-TC, Daz Cat and Kool Hand. I’m not too sure if these artists paint under a particular crew name, but they certainly seem to hang out together quite a lot.
CD.TC, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020
On the left is a rather stlised and weird-looking monster-faced character smoking a cigarette, with the white smoke wisping about the place. It is obvious that CD-TC is a talented artist/deigner from the way he has drawn and filled the arm of his character in orange, black and grey – some great shading and highlighting technique there. CD-TC’s characters are appearing more frequently about the place, which can only be a good thing.
Daz Cat, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020
In the middle is a wonderful scene painted by Daz Cat of a female (hurrah) cat playing an old gramophone record player. She is winding the handle and the indication of motion is done really well – plenty of movement there. The cat is showing off some fine hair accessories that appear to be coming from her ear and add decorative interest to the piece.
Kool Hand, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020
The final part of he collaborative wall is a rather small Orangutan face wearing a cap that we have seen quite a lot of in recent months from Kool Hand. This is, I suppose, a king of mega-tag that Kool Hand is using to hone his skills, but a great framework that just rolls off the spraycan easily.
This is the second recent piece from Taboo, the other one was in Dean Lane skate park. A feature of both of these superb pieces is the use of lots of colour, which is noteworthy simply because many of his pieces can be based around two or three colours. Perhaps he has been on a recent spending spree.
Taboo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020
Taboo has stuck to his usual tradition of writing his name followed with a character piece, which will be familiar to most of you as Tom cat from Tom and Jerry. In addition there is an appearance from his Kilroy (was here) character in yellow peering out from one of the ‘O’s.
Taboo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2020
The Tom is superbly painted and the story being told here would indicate that Taboo considers his work to have been 19 years in the making and combines a mixed up style underpinned by no talent and painting big. I fear this is a modest story, and I consider this piece to demonstrate his obvious talents for all to see. Unusual yes, but nonetheless skilled and creative.
A beguiling and very clever collaboration brings together the complementary skills of Paul Monsters and Soker in a piece that has a little secret that isn’t at first inspection very obvious. It is a secret I’ll let you in to. The writing by Soker spells the word TRUE, but upside down it spells FALSE. Very clever stuff and very much in the domain of Graffiti writers who love this kind of letter-play.
Paul Monsters and Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol September 2020
Of course the writing is top notch, but that is what we expect from Soker. The background design is unmistakably the work of Paul Monsters whose distinctive geometric designs and colour selections adorn walls all over Brisol. Note to self – time for a Paul Monsters gallery?. This is an outstanding collaboration from two great artists and fine fellows.
Another stunner from Smak on the M32 roundabout and this time it is in beautiful gold and green colours with a slightly unexpected surprise pink and red highlighting the outer edges of the piece.
Smak, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2020
I found this without knowing it had been painted (always rewarding and it usually means that it is pretty fresh because it han’t appeared on Instagram). There is a kind of browny tinge all along the middle of the letters, giving the letters a bit of a 3D shiny feel to them. Belting statement piece.
I don’t think that this lovely character piece by DFC1848 lasted too long, so I was quite lucky to get a picture of it. The rabbit (?) face is another example of the diversity of pieces that DFC1848 is coming up with these days, having spend much of his first year of hitting walls concentrating on his now-familiar bear face.
DFC1848, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2020
I am enjoying his diversifying portfolio and I told him as much when I met him last weekend at the Cheltenham Paint Festival. One thing led to another during our conversation, and he has offered to accompany me when I decide to paint my first wall, an offer that I am giving very serious consideration, so watch this space carefully – I hope to have something to show you before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, DFC1848’s pieces are becoming more complex and he is incorporating new features, such as the little patch on the cheek of this rabbit. Geat to see a street art hunter/photographer giving it a go and improving with each effort. Hats off…
Natural adventures 