133. North Street, The Steam Crane

At the far Eastern end of North Street, where it joins with Dean Lane, you will find The Steam Crane pub. There is a side alley that gives access to the rear of the pub, and on one of the walls is this wonderful piece by Pakone, which was created as part of Upfest 2015.

Pakone, the Steam Crane, Bristol, January 2016
Pakone, the Steam Crane, Bristol, January 2016

Pakone is an artist from Brest in France and is a member of the C29 crew. This piece is difficult to capture in photographs because of the narrow setting, but his detail and depth are beautifully crafted and show his dream-like ideas.

Pakone, the Steam Crane, Bristol, January 2016
Pakone, the Steam Crane, Bristol, January 2016

This was a bit of a hidden gem on my most recent wanderings around the area.

Pakone, the Steam Crane, Bristol, January 2016
Pakone, the Steam Crane, Bristol, January 2016

8/10

123. North Street, Standard (1)

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.

Cheo, North Street, Bristol, February 2016
Cheo, North Street, Bristol, February 2016

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.

Cheo, North Street, Bristol, February 2016
Cheo, North Street, Bristol, February 2016

7/10

85. North Street, No. 74

This striking portrait was sprayed by N4T4 during the Upfest 2015 festival. N4T4 is an artist and illustrator from Nuneaton in the UK.

N4T4, North Street, Bristol, September 2015
N4T4, North Street, Bristol, September 2015

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.”

N4T4, North Street, Bristol, September 2015
N4T4, North Street, Bristol, September 2015

The more I examine this work the more I like it.

 

81. North Street hoarding (2)

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.

Sepr, North Street, Bristol, July 2015
Sepr, North Street, Bristol, July 2015

It is similar to another piece he sprayed around the same time in Dighton Street. Grey shades and musical instruments.

Sepr, North Street, Bristol, July 2015
Sepr, North Street, Bristol, July 2015

8/10

42. North Street, Aldi car park

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.

Martin Ron, North Street, Bristol, September 2015
Martin Ron, North Street, Bristol, September 2015

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.

Martin Ron, North Street, Bristol, September 2015
Martin Ron, North Street, Bristol, September 2015

As always, these things are ephemeral, and I’m sure that this mural will itself be over-painted in due course.

Martin Ron, North Street, Bristol, September 2015
Martin Ron, North Street, Bristol, September 2015

 

30. North Street, No.222

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.

JPS, Shockwave, North Street, Bristol, September 2015
JPS, Shockwave, North Street, Bristol, September 2015

In Weston-super-Mare, where JPS comes from, there is a full scale version of the same work on the side of a shop.

JPS, Shockwave, North Street, Bristol, September 2015
JPS, Shockwave, North Street, Bristol, September 2015

Weston-super-Mare is of course also playing host to Banksy’s Dismaland exhibition.

JPS, Shockwave, North Street, Bristol, September 2015
JPS, Shockwave, North Street, Bristol, September 2015

More JPS here and here, and also take a look at a great JPS post from Street Art Rat.

8.5/10

12. North Street, heating and plumbing

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, North Street, Bristol, July 2015
Brave One, North Street, Bristol, July 2015

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

 

8. North Street, midway

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.

Angus, North Street, Bristol, July 2015
Angus, North Street, Bristol, July 2015

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