Tag: Mural

20. Hanover Place

The artist of ‘Girl with the Pierced Eardrum’ needs no introduction from me. Banksy’s beautiful work appeared last year. I went to see it two days after it was completed, and already it had been spoiled by someone who had sprayed paint over the bottom left side of the work.

Banksy, Honover Place, Bristol, August 2015
Banksy, Honover Place, Bristol, August 2015

It appears that some restoration has happened since then, but the work was ‘clean’ for such a short while, which is a pity. Some would say it is all vandalism…you live by the sword, you die by the sword. I’m not sure I subscribe to that.

Banksy, Honover Place, Bristol, August 2015
Banksy, Honover Place, Bristol, August 2015

It was great to see it again today, it is beautiful.

 

 

18. Hillgrove Street (1)

A fabulous walk into work today through the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft took me past one of the most eye-catching murals in Bristol.

This artwork is actually a combination of several artists overwriting each other’s work.

The original bare wall on the side of the house was painted in 2008 by Phlegm, an artist from Sheffield, renowned for his works all over the world. There was also a panda under the street name.

Panda, Hillgrove Street
Panda, Hillgrove Street

This first work was painted over by the MM13 crew who created the magnificent wave. They spared the panda.

Phlegm returned in June 2009 to add the characteristic figures on the left.

Phlegm, Hillgrove Street
Phlegm, Hillgrove Street

The whole thing is stunning; one of the best walls in Bristol.

Hillgrove Street, Bristol

9/10

10. Claremont Road

Another large mural from Zase and Dekor just off the Gloucester Road in Bishopston.

Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015

I’m not sure how long it has been here, but I live nearby, and I can’t recall seeing it before.

Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015

I would love to know the backstory to this one. The wasps are beautifully sprayed and the movement in their wings cleverly portrayed. As usual we have the trademark Zase wildstyle signature taking up a large part of the piece, but not dominating it.

Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Claremont Road, Bristol, August 2015

A good mural.

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Cottrell Road

This is one of several spectacular murals by Zase in Bristol. Zase, originally from Slovakia now operates out of Bristol, and runs a business called Zase Design.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015

Most of his works are large and bold, and generally pleasing to the eye. The site of this mural is fantastic, and it will be seen by thousands of people heading for Tesco or Ikea every day.

Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015

Dekor is a French muralist specialising in photorealism. He often works on large murals with Zase. He also has interests in the hip hop culture for which Bristol is famous.

Zase and Dekor, detail, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, detail, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015

It is also great to see that, although it has been here for a few years, it has remained clean. It is also interesting to note that Zase’s contact address is also in Cotterell Road.

Zase and Dekor, detail, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015
Zase and Dekor, detail, Cottrell Street, Bristol, August 2015

The marine theme and large scale make this a favourite.

8.5/10

 

 

 

 

6. @Bristol

A beautiful commission on an outside wall of the excellent @Bristol museum. It is called ‘The Honey Bee’, and highlights the importance and plight of our pollinators.

 

ATM, Millennium Square, Bristol, July 2015
ATM, Millennium Square, Bristol, July 2015

ATM is an artist who went to art school in Sheffield and now lives in London and is famous for his striking pictures of birds. I am drawn by his highly ethical position on the natural world, and his images are reminders of species at risk, that were once abundant. My only criticism, which seems a little harsh, is that his work is not very edgy, and I like a bit of edge.

I understand from his Twitter feed that he painted a mural last weekend at Bristol’s world-famous Upfest. I will seek it out soon.

6.5/10