2142. M32 Spot (40)

I haven’t posted much by Tasha Bee lately, not because she hasn’t been painting, but more because I haven’t been able to get out much over the past fortnight. This one is under the M32 in the wet-weather DIY skate park, known as the M32 Spot.

Tasha Bee, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2019
Tasha Bee, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2019

Sprayed on one of the ramps rather than on a wall, this is another of her calm, soulful trademark figures with beautifully decorated hair. Recently she has been working or her writing which from the Instagram shots I have seen is really exciting. Unfortunately I’ve not seen any yet… it’s a turnover thing.

2004. M32 Spot (39)

A little while back I posted a piece by an unknown artist, which regular readers will know I really don’t like doing, but I did it anyway because it was so unusual. When I posted the piece on my Instagram feed, a kind soul filled in the blanks for me and mentioned the artist in a comment. Brilliant, brilliant, I now know the artist to be Panskaribas (Pangiotis Skaribas) and feel somewhat pleased with myself for posting the first piece as he has an extraordinarily distinctive style.

Panskaribas, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019
Panskaribas, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019

There seems to be a mash-up of picasso and 1950s cartoons going on in this piece, or at least that is what I see. I love the doodled style of the character, but feel there is a lot of sophistication to it that might be missed without a proper look. Going through my archives, I have found more pieces by Panskaribas and am instantly taken with his artwork. I look forward to seeing more of this very unusual style.

Panskaribas, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2018
Panskaribas, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2018

2002. M32 Spot (38)

In this game it is sometimes hard to work out whether artists are new to the scene or whether you have simply not seen any of their work before. Diced Mango very much fits into this category for me.

Diced Mango, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019
Diced Mango, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019

I only became aware of the artist a few weeks ago, and posted his piece in Dean Lane, and now, so soon afterwards, I found another one, this time in the M32 Spot. It is another portrait, painted in a rather naive style and with the bright colours that seem to be a feature of his work. I am looking forward to following the progress of Diced Mango and finding out a little bit more about the artist.

1998. M32 Spot (37)

Well I think we all know where Zake’s favourite place to spray his work is. I think all but one of my posts have described his work on these columns under the M32 leading into Bristol. This one is recent, and he has signed it much more boldly, unlike some of his earlier pieces which were difficult to identify. Maybe he is becoming more confident in his statements now.

Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019

There is something a little ghoulish in his characters, but particularly in these two, with the white of their eyes prominent and the slightly strange idea of one of them spewing out of the mouth of the other. He seems to use the column space really well, which is a skill in itself. I only wish that I could find a good time of day to come and take pictures. I expect it would be best at night with a flash, because the bright light during the day plays havoc with the camera’s automatic settings.

1902.M32 Spot (36)

This Deamze burner photobombed a recent post of a Silent Hobo column, but in my view deserves a post all of its own. This writing is one of the forms that Deamze uses in his work. It is much simpler than his wildstyle work, but still has a clean and sharp look to it.

Deamze, M32 spot, Bristol, November 2018
Deamze, M32 spot, Bristol, November 2018

The colours and drift of shading work really nicely and the whole thing stands out and looks so fresh. You could give a hundred artists a can and a wall and ask them to recreate this, but none would be as good. At the top of his game.

 

 

1893. M32 Spot (35)

Back home to Bristol and yet another rather charming column piece by Silent Hobo at the M32 Spot. As I have said before, Silent Hobo has a knack for capturing the mood of youth culture, and gives his characters a soulful poise.

Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018

The girl with the microphone and ‘BOOM’ written on her bottom is wonderfully crafted by one of Bristol’s most established character artists. It is always a pleasure to see his work.

You might also have noticed a rather nice Deamze piece lurking in the background.

1870. M32 Spot (34)

Sadly I didn’t get to this lovely piece by Tasha Bee quickly enough before it had been tagged. Hers was not the only piece on this column that had been tagged, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying. I really do wonder what goes on in some people’s heads that they think it is ok to spoil deliberately other people’s work. I guess I’ll never really fully understand.

Tasha Bee, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018
Tasha Bee, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018

Here we have two of her serene characters, one atop the other, almost as if they are in a moment of meditation. A decent column piece from this prolific artist.

1865. M32 Spot (33)

Silent Hobo has absolutely mastered these columns under the M32. His characters lend themselves really well to the tall thin format of the concrete pillars and there is now rather a gathering of these gentle giants seeking refuge from the roaring motorway above.

Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018
Silent Hobo, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018

I have said before that Silent Hobo portrays these youths with such empathy, really getting under the skin of what it is like to be a young person in a modern world. I feel at times that his characters come across as rather sombre or sad, and I think that has something to do with the closed eyes. There is a kind of visual tautology going on here of a piece of street art portraying a street/graff artist. A common and enjoyable theme.

1856. M32 Spot (32)

This quick one from Soap is another fine example of a Halloween piece which cleverly incorporates a pumpkin into the trademark design that Soap uses. The eyes doubling up as mouths complete with tongue and teeth works pretty well for a spooky effect, but is something Soap does with many of his pieces.

Soap, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018
Soap, M32 Spot, Bristol, November 2018

The columns in the M32 spot really lend themselves to these smaller vertical works, and because each one has four sides there is a whole lot of ‘canvas’ for artists to work with. Always fun with Soap.

1851. M32 Spot (31)

The M32 spot is a sprawling area of columns and walls underneath the M32 where skateboarders like to congregate when it is raining. The ramps and obstacles in this ‘unofficial’ skatepark are cobbled together by what I think is called DIY – a group of enthusiasts who create skating opportunities. It is also an area where street artists like to spray, and although turnover can be quite high, there are some pieces that have remained for ages and ages.

NEVERGIVEUP, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2018
NEVERGIVEUP, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2018

This piece, it will come as no surprise to you, is by NEVERGIVEUP or as he calls himself Nevergiveup Familia or NGU. It is one of his ever-multiplying rabbits, that really are hopping out of pretty much every piece of concrete in the city. This particular one is one of my favourites – the colours and his slight plumpness make him most endearing. This is not the last of his bunnies I will be posting here.