Tag: NHS

6982. Lower Maudlin Street

The Hass, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, June 2025
The Hass, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, June 2025

Since the Covid lockdowns, I have worked from home pretty much all the time, apart from occasional visits around the country. Every once in a while I do go to the office and in doing so, walk different routes, in the hope that I will encounter some pieces of street art I’ve not spotted before. I got lucky the last time I made the trip a couple of weeks ago, with this outstanding mural by The Hass.

The Hass, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, June 2025
The Hass, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, June 2025

I have a feeling that the mural, which is painted on a hospital building, must be in celebration of 75 years of the National Health Service. The impressive commission is quite different from some of The Hass’ more creative work, and demonstrates that he has a talent not only for his art work but also for sticking to a brief. A wonderful piece that I had been blissfully unaware of. Perhaps I ought to walk into work more often.

4958. North Street

Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023

It should come as no surprise to anyone reading Natural Adventures, that I do love a piece of political and social commentary, and Sled One, normally known for his wild and fantastical creations, has absolutely nailed it with this piece coming out in support of striking nurses and NHS staff.

Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023

The piece is fairly sober in its criticism of the Government and its posturing, and probably all the better for it. Sometimes super-aggression comes across as unhelpful, but I can’t imagine any passers-by failing to feel supportive towards nurses on seeing this piece.

Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023

I am straining every sinew not to go into a major rant about how disgusted I am with the abusive behaviour of this government towards public services and the public sector. I truly hate them for it and for the state they have left this country in.

The cartoon styling of Rishi Sunak probably does him a few favours, because it doesn’t quite convey his conceit, arrogance and false smiles that are a part of his real persona. Dreadful man.

Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023
Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023

I have a feeling that the doorway with ‘food bank – closed’ on it will more than likely make it into Thursday doors in a year or so, but you saw it here first. All in all, this is a beautifully painted protest piece (but don’t tell anyone, or the Government might try to ban political murals), that will definitely chime with the Bedminster community.

3580. M32 Spot (110)

I have only managed to capture a fraction of the Recent John D’oh stencils as he tends to spray them at spots I don’t visit too often (something better change). The last time I looked at this column there was a Pekoe sketch, so I know that this stencil isn’t very old.

John D'oh, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2021
John D’oh, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2021

As we are accustomed to seeing, John D’oh once again combines his political commentary with humour in this case ridiculing Rishi Sunak for his astounding 1% pay increase for nurses after all they have done and achieved for the nation in the last year. Yet another jaw-dropping moment from this ‘compassionate’ administration. At this moment I ought to say that it is not only nurses. As someone who works in the public sector, I have been on the wrong end of a pay freeze for ten years which was lifted last year and I received a 2% rise, but we are now back to a pay freeze. Meanwhile MPs and bankers (the architects of the banking crisis) have seen their salaries increase very nicely thank you. Respect to John D’oh for calling out these people.

Vaccinated

.

First one in the bag

eternally grateful to

our great NHS

.

by Scooj

3071. James Street

I have Paul to thank for pointing me in the direction of this amazing Silent Hobo NHS tribute piece in James Street. I would have found it eventually, but not as quickly, and it is always more satisfying finding pieces soon after they have been painted.

Silent Hobo, James Street, Bristol, July 2020
Silent Hobo, James Street, Bristol, July 2020

Silent Hobo has been pretty busy just lately with some big murals and there is one nearby that is finished, but under scaffolding that seems to have been there forever. This piece is an absolute stunner and injects Silent Hobo’s portrayal of ordinary (extraordinary) Bristol people going about their business, in this case doctors, nurses and care workers to whom we all owe so much, not only during the coronavirus crisis, but always. The piece has context, relevance and purpose and is painted so beautifully with care and love. A wonderful commentary on society in a time of flux and uncertainty. Bravo!

3002. M32 roundabout J3 (219)

Nothing seems to last for long on any wall at the moment, but if you are going to get painted over, then it might as well be by an epic Nightwayss piece like this one. This large coronavirus piece is a tribute to NHS staff and another fine piece cataloging the crazy times we are living in.

Nightwayss, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2020
Nightwayss, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2020

Nightwayss has used the double wall space well to accommodate the figure lying on its back. Starting with the background which rather nicely ‘hosts’ the whole body, Nightwayss has used a lilac wash with a whole bunch of purple viruses dotted about.

Nightwayss, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2020
Nightwayss, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2020

In the body itself, little scenes are played out , for example a patient and two medical staff on the far left and some microbiologists at work in the torso. This is quite an unusual piece by the artist, especially as I can’t find a monkey which normally make an appearance in his work. A special piece marking a particular moment in our history. (Note to self, run a gallery of coronavirus pieces in about a year).

2990. St George skate park (10)

Another artist who has been really busy lately is John D’oh whose running commentary on all aspects of the coronavirus epidemic has given us a record of events through the medium of street art. This way of capturing contemporary events has been a major aspect of art through the ages, and although much of the art is ephemeral some remains and helps to tell future generations what happened in the past and where they came from. John D’oh’s stories are important ones to tell.

John D'oh, St George, Bristol, June 2020
John D’oh, St George, Bristol, June 2020

This lovely stencil on the side of a ramp at St George skate park, celebrates the fabulous and unrelenting hard work of NHS workers through the pandemic with more than a little nod to Wolverine of X-Men fame. Slightly sinister, slightly edgy but with a great heart. A nice piece from John D’oh.

2968. Jamaica Street (20)

The public conscience of Bristol is often provided by Object…, a little bit like Jimini Cricket in Pinocchio. If there is an issue about common decency and care of your fellow citizens, then Object… will be there as a champion. So there are no surprises that this artist produced this coronavirus piece during lock down.

 

Object... Jamaica Street, Bristol, May 2020
Object… Jamaica Street, Bristol, May 2020

Object… has close associations with the PRSC outdoor gallery, which he seems to curate, so this wall in Jamaica Street was a safe bet. I love this piece. It says all the things I would want to say and reminds us of a time when compliance with the rules was the norm.  The recent relaxations following on from the Dominic Cummings scandal have added up to a sense of selfishness and free-for-all that I just don’t get. Sometimes I truly despair.

This piece is beautifully illustrated with excellent illustrations of NHS workers and is painted with love. Nice one.

2874. Jamaica Street (18)

On the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft wall in Jamaica Street, this simple and kind collaboration celebrates our amazing (underfunded) NHS, in a gesture of love for all the hard work they are doing in this difficult time. The collaboration by 3Dom and Sepr is a collaboration in name only as the artists each painted their halves separately on different days, following social distancing guidelines.

3Dom, Jamaica Street, Bristol, April 2020
3Dom, Jamaica Street, Bristol, April 2020

On the left is an exquisite piece of script writing in NHS blue. 3Dom has managed to write these delicate letters with the tops and bottoms appearing to vaporize into a white mist. The subtle cream shading just to the right of the letters helps them to stand out a bit more. This is beautiful, technical writing.

Sepr, Jamaica Street, Bristol, April 2020
Sepr, Jamaica Street, Bristol, April 2020

Painted the following morning is this wonderful heart by Sepr. Simply done and conveying all the right emotions for the circumstances. I don’t know how he does it, but Sepr can even manage to get his retro style into a heart. Fantastic.

As I have said before, we must also celebrate all other key workers and public/civil services that are keeping us all safe and well.

Rainbows

.

Sign of gratitude

to all NHS workers

children show the way

.

by Scooj

.

All over Bristol (and the UK) pictures of rainbows have been appearing in windows to show our amazing NHS workers that we appreciate everything they do for us and support them through this troubling time.