7599. St Werburghs tunnel (578)

Silent Hobo, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2026
Silent Hobo, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2026

I think I have said it before that one of the great joys of patrolling the streets in the search of street art is that there are so many unexpected surprises, and each one fills me with a warm feeling inside. This newt/amphibian piece by Silent Hobo at the entrance to St Werburghs tunnel is one such surprise.

Silent Hobo, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2026
Silent Hobo, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2026

I’ve not seen a piece like this by Silent Hobo before, but it is unmistakably his work. The amphibian has some human qualities, for example it is standing upright and has human arms, but the head feet and tail are truly newt-like. It would be interesting to know what the story here is, but I think it was simply something that had been on Silent Hobo’s mind for a little while.

Observation

 

You can’t hide from me

I have naturalist’s eyes

I see living things.

 

by Scooj

455. Upfest 2016 (52)

You may recall that I posted paste ups of a mouse and a cat by 23 Magpies recently. Well here is another one of the treats that she left behind at Upfest. This time, always on a wildlife theme, we are presented with a charming wheatpaste of a newt drawn onto the cover of an Ian Maclaren title page.

23 Magpies, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
23 Magpies, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush was Ian Maclaren’s first story about rural Scottish life. I have no idea if this is of any significance to the piece by 23 Magpies, or if it is a random bit of book used as a background context for the little newt. Whatever the intention, the execution is once again excellent. I think there may be more to come from 23 Magpies in these Upfest posts.

Context

 

Balance in nature

is settled , until challenged;

newt out of water.

 

by Scooj

 

  • I found this little newt deep in the soil whilst digging potatoes yesterday.