Tag: Naive

4361. Greenbank (36)

This wonderful piece from Merny made me laugh a lot and offered another insight into the artist’s observational skills and ability to recreate otherwise ordinary conversations or objects and turn them into something visually special.  I always enjoy his work, and the naive style lends itself to remarkable storytelling.

Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022

The heroine of the piece declares ‘I utterly can’t help it if I’m beautiful hun!’ And tells us so much about this rather vain and laughable, but somehow endearing character. What I like about the piece is that we all probably know somebody like this, and it is this resonance that works so well, like a good situational comedian. The woman is talking to herself in a mirror, which makes the piece even more hilarious. Great work from Merny.

3841. Greenbank (13)

Although it isn’t something that should be too much remarked upon or even overthought, there is a really large contingent of female street artists in Bristol, which probably goes against the stereotype of being the province of young male delinquents (a stereotype that is so misinformed I might add). One of the regular ladies wot paint is Billy, whose colourful murals never disappoint.

Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2021
Billy, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2021

This one on the long wall at Greenbank is particularly beautiful and calming. The message is simple and positive, ‘a nice flower in the park’ and the bold shapes and design a pleasant antidote to wildstyle writing or photorealism. This naive style of street art is equally valid and often very powerful in its simplicity and voice. Lovely work from Billy, once again.

68. Nine Tree Hill (1)

What a great name for a street. I try to imagine what it was like before it was developed. Although this rather naive mural is signed by Fung, I can find out nothing about the artist and I would guess it is an early work before a reputation has been developed. I could of course be wrong.

Fung?, Nine Trees Hill, Bristol, September 2015
Fung?, Nine Trees Hill, Bristol, September 2015

This photograph is interesting for another reason, and it can be found on the hoarding that has been left on the ground in front of the pink face, see below:

Fung?, Nine Trees Hill, Bristol, September 2015
Fung?, Nine Trees Hill, Bristol, September 2015

There is a scene drawn with marker pens – rather violent from what I can see – with the heading ‘We be collectin’ body parts of raffers (?) to impress her’. I can only imagine that this is an early work by a youngster as the themes and artwork are quite childish. What I like about it is that someone is giving it a go and developing their art and articulating their thoughts.

5/10