Boo! This is another slightly unhinged character piece by Alex Arnell in Leonard Lane. This time he has gone for a door at the north end of the narrow lane, which door lovers among you might see again some time in the distant future as part of a street art Thursday Doors selection.
Alex Arnell, Leonard Lane, Bristol, October 2025
The ghoulish creation is actually a political commentary piece which says ‘no red swastikas here’ meaning (I think) that St George crosses that have been appropriated to represent nationalism and racism are not welcome here, and he is in my view right. There is more than simply the character to admire in this piece, he is set alongside a road with a car, headlights shining, advancing towards a mini roundabout. It is these white mini roundabouts that have been painted with red crosses through them in a wave of ‘patriotism’ that has been sweeping the country. Unfortunate and rather sad that our tolerant nation resorts to this kind of posturing. Great piece from Alex Arnell. It is interesting that at the other end of the tunnel, a beacon of tolerance adorns the column of a building opposite.
One of the first artists I met, quite a few years back, was Object… and I have been enjoying his sketch/collage pieces ever since. For a couple of years now, maybe more, Object… has been very quiet, but in the last month or so he has been pasting his creativity about the place.
Object…, Purdown, Bristol, March 2025
This combination collage of wheatpastes and paint contains a lot of social and political commentary, as well as a creative outpouring. It is difficult to make out too much from the piece, without studying it up close. It is great to see Object… out and about, though.
More from the irrepressible Hemper, this time at the farm end of the tunnel. His recent run of form has been quite extraordinary, and I imagine quite liberating for the artist himself. Although he always paints original designs, he has been pushing the boundaries a lot lately.
Hemper, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2025
This is a chrome piece with brass knobs on, and unusually for Hemper it looks to be rather political or at least a social commentary piece. The chrome letters have anthropomorphic limbs which are crushing and vandalising a Tesla Cybertruck, a sentiment probably shared by many people in the current political climate. I feel that Cybertrucks should be side lined on their ugly appearance, let alone the hideousness of their owner. I am teetering on a bit of a rant, but simply don’t have time, so I will round off the post here. Superb work from Hemper.
Merny manages to turn his pieces out quite regularly these days, and some last longer than others, but overall his presence and ‘brand’ in Bristol is constantly growing. This is an artist who never shies away from bold political statements and has become an important street commentator on the pressures and divides in our country. “F*ck being posh” is a clear illustration of the resentment of the gap between rich and poor getting ever more prominent under 12 years of Tory Government.
Merny, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2022
Merny’s work, although naive in style, is full of narrative, movement and interest. It is impossible to walk past his work and not pay attention. Alongside John D’oh, Merny reminds us about the political landscape in which we live. A great piece of social commentary art.
From my favourite Bristol artist, Andrew Burns Colwill, is this outstanding new mural for Upfest’s 75 walls in 75 days event. Everything about this triptych piece is pretty much perfect. From the wall selection and use of the spaces to the highly political content, let alone the brilliant execution using his soak stain technique.
Andrew Burns Colwill, Luckwell Road, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21,
My interpretation of the three suited figures in a pool represents the drowning of our Government and in particular senior ministers who, let’s face it, haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory over the last few years. On the left could be Sajid Javid, our SoS for health who took over the role from the utterly incompetent and indiscreet Matt Hancock. It doesn’t really matter who it is as they are representative of the Conservative Party political gang who care more about power than they do about the citizens who put them there.
Andrew Burns Colwill, Luckwell Road, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21,
The central panel is more obviously a caricature of our utterly ridiculous Prime Minister who is now completely under the control of his power-hungry wife Carrie Johnson who seems to have more influence over government policy than he does. The pantomime continues, although it is more of a tragedy as our country slips into isolation and irrelevance.
Andrew Burns Colwill, Luckwell Road, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21,
The final panel, with the red budget box, is obviously our beloved (not) chancellor Rishi Sunak who appears to have hoodwinked the entire country into thinking he is our saviour. I don’t feel particularly saved. The bar amongst the cabinet is so low, that anyone with the slightest talent shines like a beacon, but it is all comparative. So the piece certainly portrays a failing government and failing ministers and it is delivered in a tranquil, calm and resigned manner that gives the piece so much power. It is brilliant.
Andrew Burns Colwill, Luckwell Road, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest 21,
Andrew Burns Colwill is also amazing at creating those tiny little details that add so much to a piece, like this little drip of water oozing from a real crack in the wall. A sensational piece and commentary on our current political state. Bravo!
I drove past this about a week ago and pulled in to photograph it. The Merny (Morny) piece had slipped under the radar a bit, and I’m not too sure how long it had been there. No matter though as I am always delighted to see something new from him.
Morny, Stokes Croft, Bristol, April 2021
This one, along with many of his pieces, is a political piece that is critical of our current administration. Simply put ‘what a sad state of affairs’ more than adequately presents the utter mess out country is in, not just in its appalling initial response to Covid-19 but also in its disregard for moral decision-making and corruption at the highest levels of government. The Conservative way seems to be that as long as it makes money it makes sense, no appreciation of the consequences.
The ordinary man, maybe a cyclist or runner, is sitting to contemplate this mess. A wonderful human piece from one of my favourite Bristol artists.
It has been a very, very long time since I last saw a piece from Object… and at this time of political turmoil I have missed his interjections and commentary defending the less well off and downcast members of our society.
Object…, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2020
Another rather grotesque imagining of a hand being eaten by hungry mouths… a piece with a lot of pain anguish and rage. The whole scene is rather unpleasant and uncomfortable, but I think that is the point, this is a challenging and political piece. The slogan ‘Eat the Rich’ accompanies th work as in so much of Object…’s art. A provocative and compelling piece.
This is an interesting political piece by Bandito an artist I don’t know anything about but who has recently painted a piece in Bristol that I will have to dig out and post soon.
Bandito, Upfest, Bristol, May 2018
The work is a highly unusual one which slams home a message that wars should not be fought over oil. The flags of the USA, UK, Turkey, Israel, France and Iran, would indicate that the tensions lie here. Thought provoking.
Here we have an artist doing what he does best. The passionate and politically active Object… is a champion of all that we should care about; homelessness, fair distribution of wealth and the environment.
Object…, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2019
This piece in The Bearpit is one of about twenty or so that appeared a week or two back to promote the movement ‘Extinction Rebellion‘. The movement is making three demands of the British government:
The Government must tell the truth about the climate and wider ecological emergency, reverse inconsistent policies and work alongside the media to communicate with citizens.
The Government must enact legally binding policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels.
A national Citizen’s Assembly to oversee the changes, as part of creating a democracy fit for purpose.
I have some sympathy with these demands, but worry that will not land well because of the astonishing mess of Brexit.
We have a divided nation, and broadly speaking environmental activism lands very badly with the Brexit narrative, and we have a Government dominated by the hard right whose interests are never shared with safeguarding the environment. Take for example the ex-Secretary of State for the Environment Owen Patterson who described the environmental movement (and indeed scientists and his own civil servants) as ‘the green blob’ – a derogatory term intended to belittle, mock and bully people who care about their environment, but his words chime for those who are comfortable or self-interested and wish to maintain a status quo (safe middle Britain).
I feel an essay coming on, but I have to make a chocolate panattone bread and butter pudding.
Natural adventures 