6458. Leicester

Mr Cenz, Leicester Bus Station, Leicester, July 2024
Mr Cenz, Leicester Bus Station, Leicester, July 2024

Earlier this year I travelled to Leicester for a Team Meeting and managed to pick up a few pictures of street art, much of which had been painted at this year’s ’Bring the Paint’ festival. Rather than concentrate too much on each piece, I am going to present a mini gallery of work from the visit.

Mr Cenz, Leicester Bus Station, Leicester, July 2024
Mr Cenz, Leicester Bus Station, Leicester, July 2024

This might be the best Mr Cenz piece that I have seen anywhere. It is clean, crisp and vibrant, and uplifts the bus station beyond all recognition. An absolute stunner.

Nuno Viegas, Gower Street, Leicester, July 2024
Nuno Viegas, Gower Street, Leicester, July 2024

Nuno Viegas painted this piece this year and it is not too dissimilar to one he painted a couple of years ago in Leicester for the festival. A classy ‘paper aeroplane’ piece – a theme that runs through much of his work.

Verna Poppy, The Haymarket, Leicester, July 2024
Verna Poppy, The Haymarket, Leicester, July 2024

I don’t know much about Verna Poppy, but rather liked this piece that was in good company with Inkie and Philth/N4T4 adjacent to it.

Lucy Danielle, The Haymarket, Leicester, July 2024
Lucy Danielle, The Haymarket, Leicester, July 2024

Another artist I have not encountered before is Lucy Danielle who came up with this abstract photorealistic mash up. A beautiful design. There is so much great artwork in Leicester, and well worth a visit.

6196. Leicester

I have visited Leicester a couple of times recently, once in May and again earlier this week. On both occasions I have managed to snap a few outstanding pieces, largely, but not exclusively, from the ‘Bring the Paint’ festival. As many of you will know, I struggle just to keep up with new pieces in Bristol, let alone street art that I see on my travels, so I am grouping a few pieces together. These were photographed in May 2024.

Juandres Vera, Leicester, May 2024
Juandres Vera, Leicester, May 2024

This is an extraordinary anamorphic piece by Juandres Vera – really eye-catching, although a little awkward to photograph – it was behind a gate.

Does, Leicester, May 2024
Does, Leicester, May 2024

This is an enormous mural by Does, and I am guessing that the writing spells out DOES.

Gent 48, Leicester, May 2024
Gent 48, Leicester, May 2024

I have heard and seen quite a lot about Gent 48, but I think that this might be the first piece I have actually seen by the artist. Utterly outstanding.

Nuno Viegas, Leicester, May 2024
Nuno Viegas, Leicester, May 2024

Nuno Viegas has visited Bristol before for Upfest, so it was great to see this unbelievable piece combining two-dimensional bubble writing with an amazing 3D hand and spray can. Great reflections on the chrome can and shadows cast by it.

More collections from Leicester to come in due course.

2764. Upfest 2018 (175)

One of the most stunning collaborations of Upfest 2018 was this magnificent piece by Nuno Viegas and Tymon De Laat on the side of the Coopers Arms, where the polar bear piece by Andrew Burns Colwill was painted the year before.

Nuno Viegas and Tymon De Laat, Upfest, Bristol, September 2018
Nuno Viegas and Tymon De Laat, Upfest, Bristol, September 2018

This piece was painted in two halves separated by a horizontal strip, a feature of the wall which was put to good use by the artists. The bottom half which features the gloved hand of the character tossing a spray can fat cap is by Nuno Viegas. The detail in the latex glove with paint on it is simply breathtaking.

Tymon De Laat, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Tymon De Laat, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

The top half of the collaboration is by Tymon De Laat and presents us with one of his superb trademark portraits, where the face is divided up into different shaded areas in a symmetrical pattern almost as if the subject is wearing face paint. This is such a strong design idea and makes his work istantly recognisable.

Tymon De Laat, Upfest, Bristol, September 2018
Tymon De Laat, Upfest, Bristol, September 2018

This was truly one of the best pieces of the whole festival, and if you don’t believe me go down and take a look while you still have a chance and check out the detail.

1021. Upfest 2017 (54)

One of the most distinctive collaborations of Upfest 2017 was this piece by Tymon Ferenc de Laat (who really needs a shorter tag) and Nuno Viegas. The piece was sprayed in the garden of The Spotted Cow pub and has subsequently been sold.

Tymon Ferenc de Laat and Nuno Viegas, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Tymon Ferenc de Laat and Nuno Viegas, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

It has a high-quality finish to it and works really well as a collaboration with the particular style of each artist – the portrait by Tymon and the paper dart by Nuno – retained in the piece.

Tymon Ferenc de Laat and Nuno Viegas, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Tymon Ferenc de Laat and Nuno Viegas, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I particularly like the amazing attention to detail in the paper dart, with the shadows cast, and the bright line along the leading edge of the wing as if it were catching the light. Very clever and skilful work.

Tymon Ferenc de Laat and Nuno Viegas, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Tymon Ferenc de Laat and Nuno Viegas, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I’m not sure how often these artists collaborate, but for Upfest it worked a real treat.