7887. St Mark’s Avenue (14)

Bethan Richards, St Mark's Avenue, Bristol, July 2026
Bethan Richards, St Mark’s Avenue, Bristol, July 2026

Typically, when I think of an avenue I have in my mind’s eye a semi-rural tree-lined straight road leading to or from a special town or estate. St Mark’s Avenue brings that idyll instantly back down to earth. It is a narrow back alley, full of bins and until recently rather grubby and neglected, but thanks to a small local community group, it has been transformed with planters for pollinators and some rather fetching street art from local artists along the way.

Bethan Richards, St Mark's Avenue, Bristol, July 2026
Bethan Richards, St Mark’s Avenue, Bristol, July 2026

This piece, by Bethan Richards, an artist I haven’t come across before, fits the allocated space so very well. The illustrative design style reminds me a little of Zoe Power, a Bristol artist who is well known on the mural scene. There are lots of nature connection themes in an urban landscape, which really captures the essence of the improvements being bade by community groups in this area. Lovely work.

7858. Quakers Art Lane

Hazard, Quakers Art Lane, Bristol, June 2026
Hazard, Quakers Art Lane, Bristol, June 2026

Around a month or so before Upfest, the organisers of the festiival curated a wall in the heart of the shopping district of Bristol, which played host to a number of well-known artists and provided a bit of a teaser for the main festival, as well as brightening up this little corner of an otherwise dull and grey space.

Hazard, Quakers Art Lane, Bristol, June 2026
Hazard, Quakers Art Lane, Bristol, June 2026

The timing of this mini-event roughly coincided with the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough, and this portrait piece of our national treasure by Hazard, while not particularly flattering captures the age and intensity of the great man. I cannot think of anyone living who has done more to raise the wonder of nature and bring it into our homes, but also quietly and diplomatically raise some of the more challenging issues of our time such as biodiversity loss, climate change and most contraversially spiralling global population.

Hazard, Quakers Art Lane, Bristol, June 2026
Hazard, Quakers Art Lane, Bristol, June 2026

Hazard, who has close associations with Bristol having lived here for a number of years, is much loved in the city. This piece showcases her ability to capture images, Sir David and the owl in this case, and bring them to life with a lively colour palette, and breaking up that which we know and are accustomed to with geometric shapes and interventions. This is a brilliant piece by Hazard, depicting a personal hero. Bravo!

7849. East Street – Upfest 2026 (47)

Trav, East Street, Upfest 2026, Bristol, May 2026
Trav, East Street, Upfest 2026, Bristol, May 2026

These corner buildings on the end of East Street have been Upfest spots for a few years now and are perfectly situated to be viewed from a distance from the mini roundabout in front of the Steam Crane pub. This time the wall has been painted by Trav (@travmsk), an American artist who has painted in Australia and America, but his appearance at Upfest this year is his first trip to Europe.

Trav, East Street, Upfest 2026, Bristol, May 2026
Trav, East Street, Upfest 2026, Bristol, May 2026

The mural appears to depict street lamps which, together with the background elements of the piece have strong geometric qualities. There is something simple and pleasing about the piece, and not too much to explore in terms of story. Looking at Trav’s Instagram account, he is a highly accomplished graffiti writer with a strong, blocky, 3D style that brings out his strong design qualities. Something a little different for Upfest.

7845. Nine Tree Hill (9)

Luke Embden, Nine Tree Hill, Bristol, July 2026
Luke Embden, Nine Tree Hill, Bristol, July 2026

This mural is a relatively new doodle piece on the side of a little café in Stokes Croft. It is by Luke Embden a mural artist and illustrator from London. The piece would have been a commission, but I am surprised it wasn’t awarded to a Bristol artist, given that there are so many high-quality muralists to choose from. Perhaps the story being told is suited to Luke Embden’s style best, and of course, Bristol artists get commissions in towns and cities all over the country too.

Luke Embden, Nine Tree Hill, Bristol, July 2026
Luke Embden, Nine Tree Hill, Bristol, July 2026

I believe the piece is one of several commissions by the homeless charity St Mungo’s to highlight the plight of the homeless community and how the charity works to get their lives back on track. This piece follows the story of Ray in pictures in words in a piece that is so full of detail it needs plenty of time to be viewed. I rather like the photographs with the people enjoying a coffee and a chat in front of the intricate piece.

7839. Picton Street

Kin Dose, Picton Street, Bristol, July 2026
Kin Dose, Picton Street, Bristol, July 2026

This is a stunning recent mural in Picton Street that perfectly illustrates everything that is so good about street art in Bristol. A Bristol artist, Kin Dose, has composed a locally relevant mural that tells a story of the street and its occupants. The piece has been painted above the Montpelier Local grocer, and I imagine was a commission piece.

Kin Dose, Picton Street, Bristol, July 2026
Kin Dose, Picton Street, Bristol, July 2026

There are several Bristol references, the fox, Jeff Knight (The famous Big Issue seller) and CK1 graffiti (an artist who died several years ago but is remembered in countless tags today) as well as very local ones linking to various establishments on the street including The Cadbury, C&T Licata (the best Italian Deli), The Old England Pub and Montpelier Local itself.

Kin Dose, Picton Street, Bristol, July 2026
Kin Dose, Picton Street, Bristol, July 2026

There is plenty more besides in this piece. The whole thing speaks of community and ties in with the Bohemian lifestyle reputation that the area enjoys. A wonderful piece fitting of such a wonderful street.

7829. Lodge Causeway

Sepr, Lodge Causeway, Bristol, July 2026
Sepr, Lodge Causeway, Bristol, July 2026

This is a magnificent piece by Sepr which I was lucky enough to find quite by accident recently during a trip to scout out three hoardings in Fishponds. I had been aware of the piece for a while, but simply didn’t know where it was.

Sepr, Lodge Causeway, Bristol, July 2026
Sepr, Lodge Causeway, Bristol, July 2026

It is annoying that many of the best walls and spots are adjacent to car parks, and because of that parts of the pieces painted are obscured by vehicles. It is a known known, but nonetheless irritating. You have to get really lucky to find such murals with a clean view. This piece is unsurprisingly on the side of the Greyhound pub.

Sepr, Lodge Causeway, Bristol, July 2026
Sepr, Lodge Causeway, Bristol, July 2026

Sepr has stuck well to the brief , featuring a greyhound racing round a dog track, with some creatures gambling at a table on his back. Added to the charming scene are random animals – a hedgehog and mole, some rabbits in a tortoise car and more rabbits in a bird-shaped aeroplane. So much going on and plenty of good humour – a classic Sepr piece.

Gage Graphics

A gallery of outstanding graffiti and high-end murals from Bristol-based Gage Graphics (AKA Ollie Gillard)

Instagram: @gage.graphics

Website: gagegraphics.co.uk

All photographs by Scooj

Gage Graphics. Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Gage Graphics. Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022

Gage Graphics. Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022
Gage Graphics. Upfest 22, Bristol, May 2022

Gage Graphics, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2022
Gage Graphics, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2022

Gage Graphics, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2022
Gage Graphics, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2022

Gage Graphics, Alpine Road, Bristol, November 2021
Gage Graphics, Alpine Road, Bristol, November 2021

Gage Graphics, Alpine Road, Bristol, November 2021
Gage Graphics, Alpine Road, Bristol, November 2021

Gage Graphics, Alpine Road, Bristol, November 2021
Gage Graphics, Alpine Road, Bristol, November 2021

Gage Graphics, West Street, Bristol, June 2021
Gage Graphics, West Street, Bristol, June 2021

Gage Graphics, West Street, Bristol, June 2021
Gage Graphics, West Street, Bristol, June 2021

Gage Graphics, Upper York Street, Bristol, May 2021
Gage Graphics, Upper York Street, Bristol, May 2021

Gage Graphics, Upper York Street, Bristol, May 2021
Gage Graphics, Upper York Street, Bristol, May 2021

Gage Graphics, Upper York Street, Bristol, May 2021
Gage Graphics, Upper York Street, Bristol, May 2021

Gage Graphics, St Luke's Road, Bristol, December 2020
Gage Graphics, St Luke’s Road, Bristol, December 2020

Gage Graphics, St Luke's Road, Bristol, December 2020
Gage Graphics, St Luke’s Road, Bristol, December 2020

Gage Graphics, St Luke's Road, Bristol, December 2020
Gage Graphics, St Luke’s Road, Bristol, December 2020

Gage Graphics, St Luke's Road, Bristol, December 2020
Gage Graphics, St Luke’s Road, Bristol, December 2020

Gage Graphics, St Luke's Road, Bristol, December 2020
Gage Graphics, St Luke’s Road, Bristol, December 2020

Gage Graphics, St Luke's Road, Bristol, December 2020
Gage Graphics, St Luke’s Road, Bristol, December 2020

Gage Graphics, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2020
Gage Graphics, St Werburghs, Bristol, September 2020

Gage Graphics, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
Gage Graphics, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020

Gage Graphics, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
Gage Graphics, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020

Gage, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Gage, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Gage, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Gage, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Gage Graphics, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Gage Graphics, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Gage Graphics, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Gage Graphics, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

7813. Quaker’s Art Lane (2)

Esme Lower, Quakers Art Lane, Bristol, June 2026
Esme Lower, Quakers Art Lane, Bristol, June 2026


Esme Lower’s stock is sky high at the moment, having been Upfest’s featured artist this year, with her artwork adorning all the marketing materials, posters, maps etc. She has simply had the best breakthrough year and now sits at the top table of street artists in Bristol, which is high status indeed.

Esme Lower, Quakers Art Lane, Bristol, June 2026
Esme Lower, Quakers Art Lane, Bristol, June 2026

This stunning mural was painted by Esme Lower as part of a Pre-Upfest commission organised by Upfest to promote the Festival, and to stamp Bristol’s identity an a street art city in this shopping area between Cabot’s Circus and Broadmead. The largely symmetrical mural sits above one of the many Costa Cafés, and adds a vibrant and joyful atmosphere to this otherwise dull alley. Her colourful cartoon style shines through and tells a story of people and flowers. I love the two guys sitting at the table, setting the context of the piece off perfectly. Upwards and onwards for Esme Lower.

7801. St Andrew’s Road (5)

Joe Lichtenstein and Larjaques, St Andrew's Road, Bristol, July 2026
Joe Lichtenstein and Larjaques, St Andrew’s Road, Bristol, July 2026

Being curious really pays off when wandering around looking for street art, or admiring architecture and urban spaces. A few weeks ago I took a walk in the Montpelier area of Bristol, I had a little bit of time to kill while waiting for my son’s work clothes to wash in the local launderette (don’t ask – a long story), and was rewarded with this magnificent mural by Joe Lichtenstein and Larjaques.

Joe Lichtenstein and Larjaques, St Andrew's Road, Bristol, July 2026
Joe Lichtenstein and Larjaques, St Andrew’s Road, Bristol, July 2026

I got lucky with the weather too, although to be honest it has been unbroken sunshine in Bristol for at least three weeks now, with the stunning blue sky matching up with that in the mural. The atmosphere conjured up by this stylised mural is one of a coastal scene being enjoyed by one (or two) observer.

Joe Lichtenstein and Larjaques, St Andrew's Road, Bristol, July 2026
Joe Lichtenstein and Larjaques, St Andrew’s Road, Bristol, July 2026

I love the way the sea and sky are delineated with the silhouetted promontory. The stylised portrait reminds me a little of Morag’s work, where single lines do a lot of heavy lifting. I know little of the artists and will need to do more research. What a wonderful statement to have on the side of your house. I expect the occupants are thrilled, and the mural certainly brightens things up. Bravo!

7771. Exeter Road – Upfest 2026 (40)

 

Rafamon, Upfest 2026, Exeter Road, Bristol, May 2026
Rafamon, Upfest 2026, Exeter Road, Bristol, May 2026

There are some murals that appear at Upfest that simply brighten your day. They have that uplifting vibe, without being overtly spectacular or knowingly understated. They are just sunny and vibrant and good for the soul. This delightful mural by Rafamon is one of those pieces.

Rafamon, Upfest 2026, Exeter Road, Bristol, May 2026
Rafamon, Upfest 2026, Exeter Road, Bristol, May 2026

You can see simply by the design and content of the piece that it has a South American look to it, so it is no surprise to learn that Rafamon is from Brazil. Set on a deep blue ‘sky’ the piece features a hummingbird created in a stylised composition of colourful feathers and flowers. A festival piece with a fiesta appearance. Lovely work.