A gallery of illustrated graffiti writing from the brilliant Bristol-based artist Minto
Instagram: @instaminto
All photographs by Scooj
Minto
Tag: Minto
6017. M32 Cycle path (264)
Minto keeps his work ticking over nicely with a fairly regular weekly/fortnightly contribution, and each and every piece is a cracker. Minto has a distinctive style and creative streak that makes for outstanding graffiti writing – character combinations and mash-ups.
This piece, on the Cycle path behind the Black Swan, looks like a bit of a quick one and features trainers, something of a theme for the artist at the moment… that and camper vans – perhaps we can read into that a profile of his lifestyle. The letters, which spell out Minto, are nicely rounded off with a yellow and orange border. So good to have him back in Bristol.
5989. Cumberland Basin
The return of Minto to Bristol has, without doubt, been a highlight of the last six months as his unique graffiti writing style has significantly impacted on the already wide spectrum of styles on offer. Although Minto doesn’t follow a fixed formula, there is a lot that is distinctive about his work, in particular, it is often vertically quite compressed.
This dazzlingly colourful piece seems to have a trainer theme going on, with at least three trainers depicted in the MINTO lettering. There are also a couple of characters peering over the top of the letters, something that Minto builds into much of his work. This is a fine example of his work and an outstanding piece.
5837. M32 roundabout J3 (554)
I mentioned a little while back in a Minto post that we were likely to see a lot more of his work, and indeed that is exactly the case. There is something quite unique in the way that Minto combines his letters with characters or scenes to build up a story, and this one is a very green story.
The letters spell out, unsurprisingly, the word MINTO, and contains three or four faces sort of organically melded into the letters. To the right, the end face reminds me of the faces on the trains and other vehicles in the Thomas the Tank Engine books, but maybe that is just me. This is a nicely thought out and painted piece from Minto.
5795. St Werburghs tunnel (401)
There are some pieces that stick in the memory, for one reason or another, and this unusual piece by Minto is right up there, and to be fair, quite a lot of his pieces are memorable, because of his design ideas and concepts.
The letters have an organic look to them, almost melting down the wall, like wax from a candle. Accompanying the letters are a couple of characters and a bird’s head. I don’t really know what it all means, but I’m not too sure I need to. The whole thing looks great and has a touch of class about it.
Hitting the slopes hard tomorrow, so heading to bed now (written last night)
5757. M32 roundabout J3 (546)
I suggested recently that we would be seeing a lot more from Minto in Bristol, because I believe he has moved westwards from London, and so it seems to be, confirmed by another original and captivating piece on the M32 roundabout at the end of last year.
The letters MINTO are very well disguised in this piece of multiple characters, I can see at least four of them. There is plenty to look at in the piece, and the paint work is really classy, even Minto’s signature is classy. A really nice imaginative piece, and I expect to see a whole lot more from Minto in 2024.
5685. Dean Lane skate park (666)
Minto’s recent appearances in Bristol are very much appreciated, and although he has had a long association with the city, it looks like he might be painting here more regularly. There are a few artists like Minto who are graffiti writers, that incorporate artwork and a story into the letters to create a kind of fusion. In this piece, Minto has written his name, or parts of it, into the side of a camper van.
This is not the first camper van piece I have seen by Minto, and I think it might be a kind of ‘thing’ for him at the moment. The piece is nicely painted, and I particularly like the ‘happy’ wheels, reflecting a mountainous wilderness at sunrise. Great stuff from Minto and I look forward to seeing a lot more.
5644. M32 roundabout J3 (524)
I have a feeling that we might be seeing a lot more from Minto as I believe that he has moved west from London, so his occasional pieces might be more regular going forward. This piece was painted during a small paint jam which included Rusk, who seems to be having a bit of a purple patch, and Hypo too.
Minto has a very distinct style, and while no two pieces are even close to being the same, his style shines through. The letters MINTO lend themselves very well to graffiti writing, with each of the first four letters having straight lines (in upper case), creating an angular opportunity. The character is inspired by Gozzilah and there is a little shout out below. I have no idea what Gozzilah is all about – is it fashion? Is it a music thing? Sometimes when writing this blog I feel rather left behind by contemporary culture. I think that it is something to do with a cyber fashion culture… who knew?
5487. M32 roundabout (509)
An occasional visitor to Bristol, Minto is always very welcome, as the pieces he leaves behind are always out of the top drawer. This one painted alongside Hemper and others, a week or two back is really rather different and a total banger.
I’m not sure what this is all about, but there are three main components to this piece. The first and most obvious is the VW camper van, with a character sitting in the passenger seat, leaning out of the window. The camper van alone would have been more than enough to satisfy my interest. However, Minto has added a second component of some graffiti writing in the same orientation as the van, spelling out his name with a cracking style and colours. Finally, and slightly out of place with the whole thing Minto has painted a Wylie Coyote cartoon character. I’m not sure that the character adds much but it is fun nonetheless. Perhaps he was simply using up a bit of paint, as it looks a little crudely painted. Minto is an artist who will always be welcome in Bristol.
4774. Dean Lane skate park (534)
I believe that maybe Minto lived in Bristol, although I might have that wrong. One thing for sure though is that he has friends here and regularly visits the city, usually dropping a fin piece of graffiti writing.
This is one such piece, and Minto has combined his writing with a character. It is driving me mad, but I recognise the character but can’t identify him, and even Google has let me down on this occasion. Minto’s work is as meticulous as ever, and he is always welcome to paint in Bristol.
Natural adventures 