Tag: NTS

5210. M32 roundabout J3 (475)

Mudra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023
Mudra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023

Unfortunately, this wonderful and unusual piece by Mudra, didn’t last too long before being dogged. I simply don’t get some people and their determination to spoil other people’s work. I know that there are no real rules, especially on illegal walls, but a little bit of respect is always a good thing, and the rule of thumb is that if you are going to go over a piece, you should cover the whole thing, and preferably with something of equal or superior quality.

Mudra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023
Mudra, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023

Mudra’s skull and patchwork of design elements give this piece something of a 1980s surreal look. I expect that there is quite a lot of symbolism in the piece, but I’m not too sure I can work it out. Mudra is one of Bristol’s busiest and most creative artists at the moment, and certainly seems to be enjoying himself this year.

5182. M32 Cycle path (212)

Mudra and Saor, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2023
Mudra and Saor, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2023

This narrow section of the M32 Cycle path wall that is difficult to photograph, even with a wide angle capability, which is exacerbated when there is a collaboration from two writers who like to spread themselves out a bit. To add to the difficulties, the light conditions are particularly challenging in this section – I think I did ok though.

Mudra, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2023
Mudra, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2023

To the left of this NTS rhapsody in blue is a classy collection of letters by Mudra, spelling MUDRA, as you would expect. Mudra specialises in using a different design for each letter in his work, and then bringing them all together through clever colour selection and some style element that is unique to the artist.

Saor, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2023
Saor, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2023

The right-hand side of the collaborative wall is by Saor, whose work is always as tight as it is creative. His goofy monster character is the centrepiece to the letters SAOR, which is typically rather cryptic. This is a wonderful piece and part of a really great collaboration.

5094. Dean Lane skate park (575)

Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023
Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023

Saor’s unannounced visits to Bristol usually culminate in a first class production, and this recent one in Dean Lane fits the pattern perfectly. The piece is exactly as you’d expect from Saor – beautifully thought out and designed and executed with extraordinary precision.

Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023
Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023

This piece spells out SAOR and incorporates the toothy monster face that the artist refined when painting under the name Flava136.  This really is a first-rate work and incorporates so many nice little touches. I love the granite-effect patterned shapes, which really add an extra level to the piece.

Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023
Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2023

While he was in the area, Saor also painted this mega-tag just around the corner. I love it when artists leave behind a few ‘extras’ when they visit.

5026. M32 roundabout J3 (451)

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023

This is another wonderful greyscale/chrome piece from Kosc, in a series of pieces that he has been working on recently. The elaborate letters spell KOSC and are presented on a KOSC printed background, a technique I have seen the artist use before. I guess he must have a roller with the letters on it, or a print block, to cover the whole wall… it could be a stencil, but it doesn’t quite look like it to me.

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2023

Once again Kosc has included his rivet theme which makes it look like the letters have been made up of metal plates welded and riveted together, which is a clever illusion, considering the whole thing is flat paint on a flat wall. A nice shout-out to the NTS crew and XXIII round off the piece nicely.

5003. Cumberland Basin

Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2023
Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2023

This is another outstanding piece of writing from Kosc in his current series of greyscale pieces. In this piece, we have a familiar element of styling in the shape of ‘rivets’ holding the ‘metal’ pieces of the letters in place. This is a technique that the artist has used quite a lot in the past.

Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2023
Kosc, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, February 2023

These letters are strong, solid and uniform, and generally have a presence – some pieces just ooze style and confidence, and this is one of them. I have to say that I am very much enjoying this greyscale series… more to come I hope.

4997. St Werburghs tunnel (348)

Mudra, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023
Mudra, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023

Here we have yet another fine piece from Mudra, in what seems to be a rapid-fire series of work from him. It is satisfying, as an onlooker, to watch as he develops and improves his style and to observe his creativity and imagination. To see his development, I have linked to his gallery, which is well worth a quick look.

Mudra, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023
Mudra, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023

This piece, at the end of the tunnel, follows his template style of letters and character, mashed up into a single coherent work. The letters are connected through a common colour palette, but their shape, design and size are somewhat varied. The letters are quite concealed, although easy to find if you know what you are looking for. The little ‘d’ is probably the easiest. The character in the middle of the piece, on this occasion, is not a substitute letter, but instead just a bit of fun breaking up the piece. You’ve got to love the little floating had. There is a reference to recreational drugs and a bit of trippyness about the piece – but I am way too conventional to know about such things. More to come soon, I have no doubt.

4993. St Werburghs tunnel (347)

Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023
Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023

Kosc is having something of a purple patch with his greyscale pieces that are to be found around the city. He seems to have found a new theme that he is enjoying exploring, and as an onlooker I am thoroughly enjoying seeing.

Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023
Kosc, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2023

The effect that Kosc achieves, using only greyscale tones on a green-grey background, is awesome, creating a kind of metallic look, especially where the dark and light tones meet in the diagonal line across the KOSC letters. This is the work of an artist at the top of his game who appears to be enjoying his painting.

4959. Brunel Way (188)

Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2023
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2023

I suspect that I begin quite a few posts featuring Mudra’s work with the words, ‘Mudra is absolutely smashing it at the moment’  and that is probably because Mudra is absolutely smashing it at the moment.

Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2023
Mudra, Brunel Way, Bristol, January 2023

His signature pieces, usually painted on black buffed walls, have been coming thick and fast over the last year, and this one features a walking character, smoking a cigarette, alongside the letters NTS, the crew he paints with. Mudra’s work is always easy on the eye, smooth curvy lines and soft fills – there is something quite laid back about their presentation. Many more to come in 2023 I’m sure.

4938. Dean Lane skate park (556)

Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2022
Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2022

Another fine piece that got overlooked in my February postings last year is this magnificent work from Saor. On a dull winter day, the orange elements of the piece really cut through and draw the eye in. The piece was painted alongside NTS crew mate Mudra.

Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2022
Saor, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2022

I may have said it before, but Saor’s style reminds me quite a lot of Epok’s work (what has happened to Epok – I wonder). The concept is highly designed and very cleanly finished, almost as if it was painted with fine brushes. I particularly like the shadow behind the right-hand side of the orange letters. As always from Saor, a nicely conceived piece, brilliantly executed.

4936. M32 roundabout J3 (444)

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022

This is an absolute beauty from Kosc, who has been dazzling us all year with his outstanding craft and innovation. The stylised portrait and writing piece has overtones of American art deco about it and reminds me of the Chrysler building in New York.

Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022
Kosc, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2022

The grey and white colour selection is a combination that works really well together, creating a metallic appearance through the whole piece. Set on a muddy green background, the piece is modest and yet highly impressive. Another outstanding piece from Kosc.