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Six of our planets
visible in the night sky
heavenly bodies
.
by Scooj
Tag: Planet
6042. Upfest 2024 (1)
Right, strap in! Upfest 2024 is in full swing in Bristol. For those who don’t know, Upfest is a street and graffiti art festival which has been running intermittently for a decade or so and is touted as Europe’s largest festival of its kind, bringing local national and international artists to the city to show off their talents. The format this year is a little different from pervious years, where there is no central ‘festival’ element with music, food and hundreds of artists spraying boards in one of Bedminster’s parks. Instead, over three weekends (this being the middle one) more than 200 artists will be painting selected walls of south Bristol. I will try to include as many as I can in Natural Adventures, but alongside the everyday painting in Bristol, this will be a serious challenge.
First up is this piece by a local artist Maybe (@maybepaints), who has been rather quiet on the streets over the last 12 months. This is a classic, incorporating all the elements he has been fine-tuning over the years, such as his incredible planets and starry space. Humour plays a large part in his work, and a moon face eating a banana fits the bill nicely. This is a wonderful piece that fits the spot perfectly. You can see more of his work in this Maybe gallery.
Earthshot Prize
.
A King in waiting
lends his voice to the planet
doing the right thing
.
by Scooj
The Earthshot Prize looks at solutions to the challenges our planet faces. Five prizes of £1 million are awarded for five years, this being the second year and the award ceremony will be in Singapore.
The shame about this is that the prize has to exist at all. If Governments around the world were serious about getting out of the mess we’re in they would be funding this kind of research and innovation as part of the ‘day job’. I try to lok on the upside though.
Earth day
.
Virtuous gestures
offered up in all good faith
need to be fulfilled
.
by Scooj
Witness statement
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Compelling story
reported by Sir David
environment first
.
by Scooj
3220. Cheltenham 2020 (9)
This year’s Cheltenham Paint Festival felt a little strange because of the far-reaching impacts of the coronavirus epidemic. In a way the Festival lends itself to social distancing because of the dispersed nature of the pieces across the town, but keeping one’s distance while talking to the artists, or the emptiness of some of the venues added a surreal layer to the whole experience.
I found this piece in the Two Pigs, and had to don a facemask to walk through the gaming pub to get to the back yard where a few pieces had been painted. I was there completely alone, which felt odd. I was however rewarded with this outstanding small piece by Sam Art, which is clearly a commentary on the state of our planet at this time. Some of you might remember his extraordinary photorealistic piece from last year’s festival. A fabulous artist.
Venus
In the western sky
a pearl in inky blackness
brilliant goddess
by Scooj
Money, money, money
Sacrifice the Earth
in pursuit of happiness
paradoxical
by Scooj
2446.M32 roundabout J3 (167)
Recently some rather uplifting and optimistic small pieces have been appearing on the M32 roundabout by an artist called Eden. This is yet another artist new to me and one I know very little about.
This rather subtle and understated piece is easily missed but once found is not easily forgotten. The bright colours give the viewer the sense that there is optimism for our planet, which is what I got out of it anyway. A simple design which is competently painted and which has given me pause for thought every time I have walked past. Nice one Eden.
Natural adventures 