2826. M32 roundabout J3 (200)

Figuring this one out might be a challenge for those unfamiliar with Bristol artists, because the word VODKA might have little meaning and certainly isn’t a name we see here. Regular readers will all have seen an awful lot of work by this artist in Natural Adventures and so might be familiar with the letter shapes and style.

Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2020
Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2020

It is of course by Soker and a gentle nod to artist Vodka (@ren_jeffys). It is a beautifully conceived and executed piece down on the M32 roundabout. Soker has been on fire over the last month or so – it will be interesting to see if he continues as the Coronavirus restrictions grow.

2816. M32 cycle path (53)

I should know by now that finding pieces by Rezwonk shouldn’t come as a surprise. He is a busy artist and will spray his work pretty much anywhere in the North Bristol spots, but finding this one really was a surprise as I didn’t know it was here and hadn’t seen it appear on social media… it is always nice when that happens, it somehow feels like a more genuine find.

Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2020
Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2020

The REZER writing incorporates a character Pinocchio with a rather long nose. I am not too sure what this might be referring to and it is difficult to make any assumptions because it seems we are surrounded by overt liars more now than ever before.

Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2020
Rezwonk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2020

It might be some sub-cultural reference that I am not aware of, or it might simply be a bit of fun. As ever though, Rezwonk has turned out yet another immaculate piece. We are lucky in Bristol to have him and so many other accomplished graffiti writers.

2805. M32 cycle path (52)

One of the most consistent writers in Bristol is Rusk, always meticulous in the turnout of his pieces. This is a gorgeous example of his great work on the M32 cycle path, adjacent to an already featured piece from Soker.

Rusk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, February 2020
Rusk, M32 cycle path, Bristol, February 2020

The letter shapes are most pleasing and the blue 3D shading contrasts beautifully with the chrome letters and red gaseous background. This wall is no push-over as it conceals a metal door, so the surfaces are pretty uneven and made of different materials, not that you’d know it from looking at it. Rusk is pretty busy just at the moment, which is a very good thing as far as I am concerned.

2799. M32 roundabout J3 (199)

I’m not sure I would have known that this ‘Blistolian’ piece was by Soker if I hadn’t seen it tagged on Instagram, although it does have all the hallmarks of a highly accomplished artist and was painted alongside a Hemper pece so was likely to be by one of the big boys of Bristol street art.

Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020
Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020

It seems that Soker has ‘awoken’ from a fairly quiet winter period on the streets, with a couple of new works including this one. It is unusual for Soker to write something other than his name, but it does happen from time to time and the script fot used in this one is an absolute winner.

2791. M32 roundabout J3 (198)

Spelling out HEMS, this is a really easy-on-the-eye piece from Hemper. A great colour palette and sensational light green shading on the lettering really lifts the piece and it stands out from the crowd.

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020

When I see graffiti writing of this quality I want to show it to other people who perhaps categorise all tagging, burners, throw ups and writing broadly as ‘graffiti’ and don’t really give it a second thought. A piece like this is beautifully designed and brilliantly painted, and couldn’t be more different from a scruffy tag on a lamp post for example. Fabulous work from a Bristol master.

 

 

2753. M32 roundabout J3 (197)

I think that we are spoiled in Bristol. We have a graffiti/street art culture that is mirrored only in a few other cities in the world. Playing host to Europe’s largest street art festival (Upfest) and being the birthplace of Banksy gives Bristol a special place in the street art scene. But for me, it is the every day artists who hit the walls in spots dotted all over the place knowing that their work may be tagged or painted over within hours that are the beating heart of Bristol’s street art culture, and one of those artists is Rezwonk.

Rezwonk, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020
Rezwonk, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020

This is a lovely piece of writing by Rezwonk that was painted a little while ago, but it is only recently that I have been able to photograph it without tree shadows all over it. Painted with his mate Decay (to the left and previously posted), there is a sense of movement fun and joy in this teriffic piece of graffiti writing.

2751. M32 cycle path (51)

Aah! the familiar large letters with deep 3D shading of Bristol’s mighty Soker. It doesn’t seem to matter what design, shapes or colours Soker uses, his supreme qulaity always shines through. I cant’t fully identify what it is that makes a piece stand out from the crowd, but it might have something to do with the assured skill and confidence that the artist embeds into the work at the time of spraying.

Soker, M32 cycle path, Bristol, February 2020
Soker, M32 cycle path, Bristol, February 2020

I aven’t seen too much from Soker over the winter months – perhaps he is more of a fair-weather artist or maybe he has been busy with other projects, either way, it is always a pleasure to see anything by him.

2747. M32 roundabout J3 (196)

This piece by Decay on the M32 roundabout is from a short while ago, but my first atempt at photographing it was foiled by the sun casting the shadow of a tree across the whole wall and utterly confusing my camera. I had to wait for a dull day!

Decay, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020
Decay, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020

In keeping with Decay’s ‘new look’ for 2020 he has painted his customary moniker over another word in a full caps, the other word in this instance being DECAY, so we have here a double Decay. I am liking this new concept a lot and am looking forward to where it takes us for the rest of the year.

2744. M32 roundabout J3 (195)

There is no doubt about it, the ever-prolific Face 1st is absolutely on fire at the moment, being very creative with his ideas, collaborating and doing his usual stuff. I don’t know how he has the energy and can only guess that he has access to a cheap supply of paint.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020

Hidden away in one of the M32 tunnels is this absolute gem, understated as is so often the way with this artist, which is a kind of fusion of a rebirth concept and a Cadbury’s cream egg – or at least that is how I see it. It is this quirky kind of idea that keeps Face 1st right up there with the top artists in Bristol. I still have to hunt down several recent pieces he has done… I just can’t keep up.

2741. M32 roundabout J3 (194)

There is rarely a time when I don’t enjoy seeing work by Mr Draws. His DRAW moniker will be a familiar site to any observant Bristolian in recent years, even if they haven’t considered the name any further.

Mr Draws. M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020
Mr Draws. M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2020

In this fun piece, Mr Draws has added interest to his writing with a little spaceship sending light beams down onto his work. Although not an original concept, it is a fun idea that brought a smile to my face. Mr drwas continues to show great stamina, painting walls come rain or shine and keeping Bristol’s USP ticking over nicely.