Tag: Nature

259. North Street, Workout (2)

It recently occurred to me that I am going to have to work through my backlog of Upfest 2015 pieces, because it will not be too long before they get replaced during the 2016 extravaganza and appear a little out of date. July 23-25 will see an influx of 300 artists showing off their talent, and I have to say I can’t wait. Among them will be Louis Masai, a London based artist who is renowned for his beautiful animal works.

Louis Masai, North Street, Bristol, January 2016
Louis Masai, North Street, Bristol, January 2016

Louis Masai gained an art degree from Falmouth in Cornwall, and has been living in London since 2010. More about him from his own website. This is a beautiful picture of two macaws (I seem to have posted a lot of these lately) and a clear and simple message that they belong in the wild and not in cages. I can go with that. His work is outstanding and his presence in Bristol this year will be a real bonus.

 

Snooze

 

Forty winks snatched high

in the air, hidden from the

wreckless crowd below.

 

by Scooj

Plastic sheep

 

In pebble dash fields

Spring lambs frolic unaware

of the urban sprawl.

 

by Scooj

Swift

 

With my eyes closed I

can hear the shrill cries of swifts

signalling Summer.

 

by Scooj

252. No fixed abode (1)

I caught sight of this caravan across the M32 while out for a walk last week. It had all the hallmarks of a work by Aspire, but it wasn’t until I downloaded the pictures onto my PC that I was able to see the signature.

Aspire, Caravan M32, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Caravan M32, Bristol, May 2016

When I see a piece like this, which I might add is another beauty, I am left with so many questions. Who lives in the caravan? How does Aspire know them? Was it a commission? and so on. This is an unusual and distinctive piece.

Aspire, Caravan M32, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Caravan M32, Bristol, May 2016

Swan

 

Resting in Spring sun

natural soft down pillow;

no synthetics here.

 

by Scooj

Japanese Knotweed

 

Hostile alien

ornamental, unwelcome

in the native lands.

 

by Scooj

 

  • Edited because I can’t count. The word ‘hostile’ replaces ‘invasive’. Sorry fellow counters.

238. Wilder Street (3)

I knew it existed and was determined to find it and, a little by accident, I did. This Hyacinth Macaw is instantly recognisable as an Aspire piece and it is absolutely magnificent. He just seems to get better and better.

Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016

The work, which was completed at the beginning of May, absolutely captures the macaw perfectly and brings it to life. The peculiar stoop that macaws exhibit fits the space so well. This is a clever and absolutely outstanding piece. What next I wonder.

Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
Aspire, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016

Wisteria

 

Cascading florets

casting out subtle purples

and pinks. And the scent.

 

by Scooj

234. Dean Lane skate park (4)

I am very pleased with these pictures. I caught a glimpse of ObjectØØØ at work last weekend on an Instagram movie made by Annikapixie in which she was showing off a new piece that she was working on…to follow. I recognised the spot and so went looking for the piece on a lunchtime walk. I found it.

ObjectØØØ, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, May 2016
ObjectØØØ, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, May 2016

ObjectØØØ has a very particular style that is quite unlike anything else I have seen in Bristol. It is very organic and combines a naturalist’s view with oddities and political thoughts. It is an acquired taste, but one I admire.

ObjectØØØ, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, May 2016
ObjectØØØ, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, May 2016

In addition ObjectØØØ has pasted a small sketch onto this piece and the close up shows that he has a very strong command of biological sciences. I can see the claw of a decapod, a scolex (from a parasitic tapeworm), dentition, wing structure, an animal cell, twigs and a climbing plant. I am interested in why he has left such a tiny sketch on his work. This stuff is quirky…and remember…’eat the rich’.