Tag: Mermaid

3676. North Street

Hurrah! It made my day when I saw this wonderful collaboration from Kid Crayon and Zubieta on social media, and I couldn’t get down to North Street fast enough. This boarded up shop front has had some fabulous pieces on it over the years, but has the disadvantage, from a photography point of view, of cars being permanently parked outside – an occupational hazard in Bedminster.

Kid Crayon, North Street, Bristol, May 2021
Kid Crayon, North Street, Bristol, May 2021

Of course I know Kid Crayon well, but this is the first time I have seen anything by Zubieta. The colours and style of the whole collaboration is very ‘Crayonesque’ but it is clear that the left hand side is by Kid Crayon and the right hand side by Zubieta. The theme would appear to be alcohol fuelled as both characters appear to be semi-immersed in a sea of booze. The Crayon character is wearing a trademark paper hat which is always nice to see.

Zubieta, North Street, Bristol, May 2021
Zubieta, North Street, Bristol, May 2021

Zubieta is an artist/designer based in Bristol but originally from Seville in Spain as far as I can make out. This is the first street piece I have seen by her, and what a perfect way to start alongside Kid Crayon. Zubieta’s character is a mermaid that seems to be equally happy with the alcoholic environment. This is a fun piece and it is great to see Kid Crayon hitting the streets again after a pretty long absence.

Kid Crayon and Zubieta, North Street, Bristol, May 2021
Kid Crayon and Zubieta, North Street, Bristol, May 2021

3506. Purdown HAA Battery (19)

Because I don’t get to photograph up at Purdown Battery very often, I am not too sure whether this is a recent or an old piece by Rosalita, but either way it is an absolute cracker. This wall is tucked away a bit and takes a little bit of finding, so I don’t imagine that very many people have seen it, which in one way is a bit of a shame, but in another way it is how some artists like to do things.

Rosalita, Purdown, Bristol, February 2021
Rosalita, Purdown, Bristol, February 2021

The subject of the piece is a mermaid, whose hair is made up of octopus tentacles, but instead of looking rather disgusting as in the Bill Nighy portrayal of Davey Jones from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean, her hair is beautiful. This is an outstanding piece and another example of great work coming from Rosalita at the moment.

2525. L Dub (5)

It takes the fertile imagination and immense skill of an artist like Sled One to re-imagine a mermaid the wrong way round. I don’t think that too many sailors would fall in love with this beast.

Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019

The underpass at Lawrence Weston (L Dub) has a rather different and more select band of regular artists than those we are used to in town, for example, Sled One, Smak, DJ Perks, Dun Some, DFC and a selection of DBK bombers seem particularly fond of the old place.

Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019
Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019

When I finally get round to doing my first piece in public, I think it will be here because it is out of the way and quiet. Probably not until the Spring though. In the mean time it is probably just best to enjoy brilliant work like this from the masters.

2395. High Street

Rather difficult to photograph, but easy to spot and be curious about is this striking mermaid created from foam insulation material, by Bristol installation artist, Duncan McKellar. What I love most about his pieces is that they are placed in busy parts of the city and challenge people to stop and think and look and laugh and be curious, rather than burying their faces in their cell phones.

Duncan McKellar, High Street, Bristol, August 2019
Duncan McKellar, High Street, Bristol, August 2019

This is a clever ‘sculpture’ because it takes a little while to ‘get your eye in’ and interpret what you are looking at, then once you have got it, it is impossible not to see it. I am never quite sure with Duncan McKellar’s work whether it is done with the permission of Bristol City Council, or whether it is ‘guerilla art’. I rather hope it is the latter. I really love this.

Duncan McKellar, High Street, Bristol, August 2019
Duncan McKellar, High Street, Bristol, August 2019

2325. New Stadium Road (16)

A beautiful aquatic scene and collaboration by Bristol fave Tasha Bee (keeping it colourful) and new boy on the block (to me at least) Conrico. For a while now, a loose aggregation or crew has been in existence called ‘the Monday Club’. At its heart is Tasha Bee, but other members include Soap, Zake, Face 1st and now Conrico amongst others. This is a Monday Club production.

Conrico, New Stadium Road, Bristol, July 2019
Conrico, New Stadium Road, Bristol, July 2019

I have only seen two pieces by Conrico to date (the other one to follow soon) and what I have seen so far I like. There is a great story going on in this piece with the diver who seems to be making away with some pearls or at least looks like he is up to no good. I like the spray cans in his helmet and the manic fish adding to a sense of mischief.

Tasha Bee, New Stadium Road, Bristol, July 2019
Tasha Bee, New Stadium Road, Bristol, July 2019

The other half of the collaboration, by Tasha Bee, has a mermaid who seems to be equally obsessed with the Pearl she has in her left hand. And just next to her is the shell from which the pearls are coming. Speaking as a marine biologist I ought to point out a few inaccuracies in the piece, but speaking as an admirer of art I think this is a wonderful collaboration in the story-telling style.