6745. Dean Lane skate park (809)

Grimes, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2025
Grimes, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2025

Another H-bomb of colour and energy from Grimes, this time in Dean Lane. He really is quite incredible, the way that he generates so much movement through his pieces, which dazzle and amaze.

Grimes, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2025
Grimes, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2025

The colours in this piece are warm and fiery, with so many elements, each beautifully interlocking with its neighbours. If I were to liken this work to any other artist it would be Deamz, who left Bristol some years ago now, but who also created complex graffiti writing pieces. This is praise indeed for Grimes’ work. The finishing touch of a blue plasma border is nothing short of brilliant, offsetting the warm colours with a chilly edge.

6676. Cumberland Basin

Grimes, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Grimes, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

I met Grimes for the first time while he was laying down the foundations for this exceptional chrome piece. I have to say it is so much better than I was expecting it to turn out, which is saying something, because when it comes to Grimes’ work, the bar is already set pretty high. The artist is a lovely man, and we chatted for quite a while. One of the things I found out is that he has been living in Bristol for seven years, so I think I am going to have to revisit my archives to see if I can find any of his older work.

Grimes, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025
Grimes, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2025

This piece simply oozes class, and energy. Sometimes Chrome pieces, although impressive, and ‘a thing’ they are prone to being a little on the dull side. Not so with this explosive piece by Grimes. The chrome letters, spelling Grime, are filled with some nicely worked traditional patterning, but it is the sparks and plasma threads running through the piece that take it to the next level. Excellent work from the graffiti writer of the moment (‘says who?’ says me!).

6468. L Dub (57)

Grimes, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024
Grimes, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024

Oh what a beauty! I was beginning to wonder if Grimes might have moved away, as I hadn’t seen any new pieces from him for a little while, and then I came across this stunning new piece at L Dub. I can’t really put into words how good I think this piece is, and it is especially good, as I think it was his second attempt in this spot over a couple of days. The first one I think got painted over almost immediately, which was unlucky timing.

Grimes, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024
Grimes, L Dub, Bristol, October 2024

The intricate fills in the blue letters are worthy of note on their own, but when you look at the whole thing, it is bursting with energy, movement and colour. The letters spell GRIME and are given centre stage through the deployment of a magnificent background of pink checks and an orange plasma beam. Totally brilliant. Bravo!

6250. Cumberland Basin

Awor1, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024
Awor1, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024

This piece, by visiting artist Awor1, was one of at least three painted in Bristol, but is the only one I managed to photograph in time. The graffiti writing was painted during a small paint jam on the long wall of Cumberland Basin.

Awor1, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024
Awor1, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2024

I don’t know where Awor1 hails from, and I am not familiar with any previous work by the artist, so don’t have any benchmark to compare this piece with. Certainly, Awor1 is an accomplished writer, and the clever use of brown shades (not my favourite colours) running through the letters combined with fine white highlights creates an almost metallic feel to the fills. The whole thing is set on a black background and decorated with green plasma and purple spheres. Nice work from Awor1.