Faded memories
of innocents; I weep with
the passing of time.
by Scooj
Tag: Photograph
55. Gloucester Road, Co-operative
I had originally thought that this was an advertising piece, because it is so well proportioned and executed. Of course I was wrong, and have grown fond of the ‘So far so good’ mural by Akarat and Hoax.
Akarat is another Bristol street artist who has emerged from the hip hop and reggae scene. His works usually have some kind of social commentary to them. His favoured techniques would appear to be similar to those used by Nick Walker; stencils and sprays, freehand and rollers. He often collaborates with Hoax another Bristol artist who also enjoys making political statements. I’m not sure why, but Hoax’s signature has been painted over since this was completed.
7/10
52. Broad Street
During the ‘See no Evil’ event in Bristol in 2012, Conor Harrington dropped over from his native Ireland and painted this mural in his distinctive style. It is called ‘the Duel of Bristol’.
Harrington now lives in and has a studio in East London. Like so many before him, he started off as a graffiti artist, but is now a celebrated muralist gaining worldwide acclaim. There is more about him in this excellent Frankie Beane post.
This mural happens to be located in one of my favourite parts of Bristol, tucked away behind the church of St John the Baptist and through the old city gate – I love the way it is framed by an ancient/modern setting.
8/10
51. Frogmore Street (3)
Standing on the bridge at the bottom of Park Street looking North East, you are treated to the most wonderful stencil by Banksy.
‘Man hanging’ which probably goes by several different names was sprayed in 2006, and led to something of a watershed in a permissive stance from the Bristol City Council regarding what was then called graffiti. There is a lovely article written at the time from the BBC website. How things have come on in relatively few years.
I am fortunate enough to walk past this iconic Banksy twice a day at least, and I am never bored by it. In 2009 the work was attacked with blue paint, calling into question all sorts of difficult conversations about street art and graffiti and vandalism and ‘he had it coming to him for selling out’ etc etc. For me it is just a pity. It seems that with his art, if you are not there in the first day or two, it will get damaged or removed.
9.5/10
Piper
Penny whistle man
playing for a few coppers
and humanity
by Scooj
50. Culver Street
It is only right to mark my 50th street art post with my favourite stencil artist. JPS, an adopted son of Bristol is from nearby Weston-super-Mare, where several of his works adorn the holiday town streets.
This incredibly detailed stencil, ‘Spartacus’ is a tribute to the Welsh actor Andy Whitfield who played the star role in the Starz TV production of Spartacus. He died in 2011 aged 39 of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
I was lucky enough to photograph this work a day or two after it was completed on 13 April 2015. It is the detail of the clothing and belt that I think marks out JPS as an incredible talent.
The ‘Spartacus’, on the wall of the Queen Shilling night club, is only yards away from another JPS I posted on 8 July 2015.
9/10
Wasp nest
In loft apartments,
a gift from former tenants;
perfect hexagons
by Scooj
44. Stokes Croft, corner wall (1)
Heading North on Cheltenham Road from the centre, you will see arguably the most striking and iconic mural that Bristol has to offer.
This beautiful portrait is by the Colombian artist Stinkfish, and is at the hub of so much other brilliant street art in the area. It is funny how we become accustomed to just seeing things but not noticing them. Today I stopped and took a really good look at this and it is absolutely outstanding.
There is a bit more background to this mural, which was painted in June 2012, here.
9/10
36. York Street
The side of this house and the wall next to it have recently been given a wonderful makeover by Zase and Dekor. This is typical of the large murals we expect from this magnificent pairing. See their work in Cottrell Road, featured previously.
Typical of their work are the scale, vibrant colours and dream-like scenes. I am not too sure what this is about, but flight appears to be the central theme.
These works all contain the main themed image with a wonderfully worked wildstyle signature incorporated.
Zase lives locally, and there are several more of his works nearby.
8/10
Homage
In admiration
of your disproportionate
power over me.
by Scooj
Natural adventures 