This seasonal piece by Cheo is quite a contrast from its political predecessor that adorned this wall during Upfest 2015. I am constantly excited by the range of subjects and styles that the street art scene is capable of producing in Bristol.
This is a cheerful and fun cartoonesque piece so typical of Cheo who must be one of Bristol’s most prolific artists. I will try to dig out the piece that was on this same wall before. Watch this space.
7/10
This striking portrait was sprayed by N4T4 during the Upfest 2015 festival. N4T4 is an artist and illustrator from Nuneaton in the UK.
In the artist’s own words:
“I paint portraits using realism as a reference point for more abstract experimentation. The images are built in layers that become ambiguous and open to interpretation from the viewer. I am inspired by aboriginal art and graffiti; aesthetically and conceptually with their self evolved visual languages, dual meanings, temporal quality and its basis in culture, people and environment rather than just commerce.”
The more I examine this work the more I like it.
I photographed this lovely Sepr work at the end of July this year, shortly after Upfest 2015. I particularly like this mural, probably because I rather like most of Sepr’s work.
It is similar to another piece he sprayed around the same time in Dighton Street. Grey shades and musical instruments.
8/10
During this year’s Upfest 2015, arguably the premium wall was handed to Argentinian artist Martin Ron. This enormous mural is a picture of his girlfriend, her torso emerging from what looks like a tablecloth. I am very fond of the fish, but am not sure what it symbolises.
This mural has been painted over an earlier Upfest (2011) mural by German artist duo Herakut. You can see what it looked like in this post from zaqwsxcderfvbgtyhn.
As always, these things are ephemeral, and I’m sure that this mural will itself be over-painted in due course.
With many thanks to a friend who told me about this tiny ‘shock wave’ by JPS, that is missed by most who walk this street. The pictures may give you some idea of scale.
In Weston-super-Mare, where JPS comes from, there is a full scale version of the same work on the side of a shop.
Weston-super-Mare is of course also playing host to Banksy’s Dismaland exhibition.
More JPS here and here, and also take a look at a great JPS post from Street Art Rat.
8.5/10
This self-portrait? by Brave One AKA Scotty-B is another Upfest 2015 artwork (I think).
I have not seen any of his work before, but I guess this is the joy of Upfest, which brings so many artists to one place, and allows us to enjoy their work, often for the first time.
Brave One is a UK based graffiti artist who has been spraying since the late ’80s. He runs a creative business that offers spray can art/graffiti art. He does private or public commissions and also runs teaching workshops and events.
I rather like this, but especially like the setting.
7/10
This is the first post from North Street, the home of Upfest 2015. There will be dozens more to come.
This wonderful and humorous conflation of Minions and Pulp Fiction is really striking, and is an extension of the original Banksy Pulp Fiction piece.
It is by another Bristol artist, Angus, who has only been creating works on the street for about a year. He is known for bringing well-known characters and objects into his work.
I really like this.
Banana!
8/10
Natural adventures 