Tag: M32

1882. M32 roundabout J3 (108)

I may be imagining it or it might be a real thing, but Soap seems not only to be doing a lot more work on the street recently, but also is doing more writing. This is a lovely colourful little piece in one of the tunnels of the M32 roundabout combining his writing with his trademark mouths.

Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

These tunnels must be a nightmare to paint, because they act as both footpaths and cycle paths and seem to be forever busy. Anyone who can produce art of this quality in these tunnels gets my instant admiration.

1869. M32 roundabout J3 (107)

Sometimes words aren’t really enough to describe how good a piece of graffiti writing is, and this is a case in point. This is Deamze’s contribution to the recent paint jam by ASK and friends on the M32 roundabout, and it really leaves me speechless.

Deamze, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Deamze, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

There is so much to like about this piece over and above the technical execution, for example the exquisite colour selections that match the other works on this wall, but not only that, the way Deamze uses the colours, especially the greens, lifts the piece from the wall. The leafy design within his letters is also really beautiful. In all this is a masterful piece.

1866. M32 roundabout J3 (106)

Consistency. A word that comes to mind when I think about graffiti writing by Soker. His work is always immaculate, beautifully conceived and generally just brilliant in every way.

Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Soker, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

This piece is the third that I have posted from this magnificent paint jam earlier in the month, featuring mainly artists from ASK plus one or two guests…more on them later. The crew have really raised the bar this time.

1862. M32 roundabout J3 (105)

The first time I saw this figure by Face 1st it had some posters rather unhelpfully draped over her face. On returning some days later, the posters were gone and she was revealed in all her glory.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

At any one time there must be four or five pieces by Face 1st on this roundabout, and as soon as one is covered over, another one seems to appear. This one belongs to the group of full figure ‘face girls’ that the artist has started doing lately and I have to say I am a big fan. There is always something soft and beautiful in his work, never threatening or aggressive. Another winner.

1861. M32 roundabout J3 (104)

Busy, busy, busy like a bee, a Tasha Bee, who I fear may have ants in her pants. It seems that Tasha Bee never sits still and is just incredibly productive, spraying her beautiful faces here, there and everywhere. I cannot keep up.

Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

This gorgeous one is from a couple of weeks back and has a lovely colour palette…there is something about that soft green face that due to its faintness draws you in to take a closer look. This is Tasha Bee at her best.

1860. M32 roundabout J3 (103)

Hemper is something of an enigma, as indeed are so many street artists in Bristol. Other than that he has long experience spraying in the city and that he is highly regarded by his peers, I really know very little about him.

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

This is a wonderfully sophisticated piece of wildstyle writing that disguises the letters HEMS, each of the letters in alternate white or black paint. The interlocking of the letters is something of a marvel, and just looking at the piece makes my mind boggle. It really is very good.

Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Hemper, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

I particularly like the little green spheres that set the whole thing off, and feel that without them it might have looked a little sterile. This is the second piece I have posted from a recent paint jam at this spot.

1858. M32 roundabout J3 (102)

Hurrah – I just love it when paint jams are held on this wall. There is clearly some organising that goes on to buff the entire length of wall in a common colour and for all the artists to share a colour scheme. This is the first of several posts from this particular recent gathering and I chose to start with Rowdy, because it is a while since I posted any of his work.

Rowdy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Rowdy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

One of the godfathers of Bristol street art, Rowdy shows us the way with a stack of his trademark crocodiles that can be found scattered all over the City. A simple concept stylishly presented and emblematic of the Bristol scene. I love this piece, and just take a look at the detail in the eyes. What does it al mean?

1857. M32 roundabout J3 (101)

This is an absolutely stunning piece of 3D writing by one of Bristol’s most talented young artists, Sikoh. There are only two other artists I know of in Bristol who can form 3D lettering as well as this and they are Zase and Lokey, so he is in very good company indeed.

Sikoh, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Sikoh, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

The letters spell out ‘Inspectah Deck’ and it is a tribute to the rapper/producer/actor. It is at this point that I have to disclose that my knowledge of rap and hip hop are not good, and despite an eclectic taste in music and good education, I know little of this genre…a major disadvantage for a street/graffiti art rapporteur. So I’ll focus on the art rather than the subject of the art. I’ll not say too much about this piece, because its quality is evident. Take a while to marvel at the shadows and accents. This is a beauty.

1828. M32 cycle path (19)

I think the reason I didn’t publish this piece by the brilliant Laic217 at the time I photographed it is that the light was all wrong, and the colours of the piece were a bit disappointing. This narrow lane is a nightmare for photography if you are there on a bright day or at the wrong time of day.

Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, February 2018
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, February 2018

The light is so bright above the hoarding, which means the artwork gets darkened by the auto settings. Now if I were a real photographer, which I absolutely not – I am an archivist – I would be able to use manual settings to overcome this conundrum. Enough excuses already…the piece itself is a nother fine work by this irrepressible artist.

Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, February 2018
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, February 2018

This form reverts to his name accompanied by a character which is a distorted face, and the distortion carries on through all the letters as well. Signature bucket hat and smiley instantly tell you who the artist is. I rather like this overlooked piece and am glad that at last I have posted it.

1823. M32 roundabout J3 (100)

The nice thing about going through archives is finding little gems, like this one from Nevla. As well as his cartoon characters, what I like about Nevla’s work is his messages which are almost always positive as in this piece ‘fun, not anger’.

Nevla, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2018
Nevla, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2018

In a troubled world it is all too easy to snipe from the sidelines or always take a cynical slant on things, but every now and again it is great to come up for air and see the good in things and be positive. Nevla has a lot of what I could do with!

Incidentally I cannot recommend the book ‘Coming up for Air’ by George Orwell highly enough. My stepfather suggested I read it (and a whole bunch of other books) a few years ago. A great book and not one you hear much about.