Tag: Mermaid

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.