Tag: Purdown Battery

3506. Purdown HAA Battery (19)

Because I don’t get to photograph up at Purdown Battery very often, I am not too sure whether this is a recent or an old piece by Rosalita, but either way it is an absolute cracker. This wall is tucked away a bit and takes a little bit of finding, so I don’t imagine that very many people have seen it, which in one way is a bit of a shame, but in another way it is how some artists like to do things.

Rosalita, Purdown, Bristol, February 2021
Rosalita, Purdown, Bristol, February 2021

The subject of the piece is a mermaid, whose hair is made up of octopus tentacles, but instead of looking rather disgusting as in the Bill Nighy portrayal of Davey Jones from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean, her hair is beautiful. This is an outstanding piece and another example of great work coming from Rosalita at the moment.

3494. Purdown HAA Battery (17)

This is the third piece by Big Hev that I have posted in recent weeks, which, I think, brings me up to date with her work in Bristol so far although I can’t be certain  about that. Once again this young artist wows us with a big, bold and colourful portrait filling up one of the concrete walls of the battery.

Big Hev, Purdown Battery, Bristol, February 2021
Big Hev, Purdown Battery, Bristol, February 2021

There is a lot to like about this piece, starting with the great colour selections. It is impossible to ignore this piece as you wander around the old WWII buildings. I am full of admiration for artists who get out there and just do their stuff and I wish I had the courage, conviction and talent to join them. Big Hev will improve her technique, but her style identity is already forming, and I am so excited to witness her progress.

3488. Purdown HAA Battery (16)

This is an old Daz Cat piece from way back in October last year – I am posting it now because it is new to me since I only recently went up there to get some photographs. These concrete slabs that formed part of the gun emplacement are a favourite with artists such as Daz Cat, Kool Hand, John D’oh, Soap and a handful of others.

Daz Cat, Purdown Battery, Bristol, February 2021
Daz Cat, Purdown Battery, Bristol, February 2021

What is cooler than a cat wearing ski goggles? I love the way that the tinted lens has projected through onto the cat’s eyes. This is a fun piece from Daz Cat.

Recently some goats have appeared in this spot, and I am sure that they have contributed to the general muddiness there I also think that they stand up against these walls with their muddy hooves – how else would this mud end up on the front of these pieces?

3482. Purdown HAA Battery (15)

I am aware that this humorous sunflower piece by Zake has been around for quite a while, but it has been quite a while since I last visited Purdown and this was my first chance to photograph it.

Zake, Purdown Battery, Bristol February 2021
Zake, Purdown Battery, Bristol February 2021

Stretching across adjacent walls in a corner these two happy sunflowers are whistling away with a carefree mood about them that seems to be so absent in this time of prolonged lockdown. It will pass and these sunflowers are a reminder of a brighter time ahead when we can return to being human and embracing our friends and family. Thank you Zake for keeping my spirits up.

3476. Purdown HAA Battery (13)

I managed to take the dog for a very muddy walk last week up at Purdown. It is the first time I have been there for a while and there were quite a few nice pieces up there. It would appear that Zace has made himself at home up there and this is the first of several pieces by him I will be posting.

Zace, Purdown Battery, Bristol, February 2021
Zace, Purdown Battery, Bristol, February 2021

There is a simplicity about Zace’s work that keeps it real and unpretentious. Clean lines and single colour shading keeps a focus on the alien character set in a starry sky. A fun modest piece from Zace.

3339. Purdown HAA Battery (12)

I first encountered the work of Mind Control at Upfest 2017 when he was a  sixteen-year-old young man. Since then, I have seen pieces every now and again, but especially over the last few months. I had to dig this one out of my July archive and am pleased that I did, because it is the passionate and political piece of an angry young man.

Mind Control, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020
Mind Control, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020

Probably prompted by the Black Lives Matter movement this is a strong message against fascism and shows a hand crushing a swastika, not an emblem you see too often these days, even if there are still large numbers of racists and fascists about. I doff my cap to this young man for this statement.

3172. Purdown HAA Battery (11)

It’s that man again Varo with his recognisable mega-tag of a bull’s head, no doubt inspired by his Spanish heritage. This piece is a variation on his throw-up version and is rather an attractive looking beast with a rather foppish haircut.

Varo, Purdown, Bristol, August 2020
Varo, Purdown, Bristol, August 2020

There is something of Picasso in this piece, deliberate or otherwise and although it is nothing like it, it reminds me of Guernica, or his bull’s head sculpture made from a bicycle seat and handlebars. I like the cheeky boldness of the piece. Great fun.

3167. Purdown HAA Battery (10)

The coronavirus pandemic has provided inspiration for a great many street artists this year, whether characterising the virus itself as in this example from Kool Hand or reflecting the great work of the NHS and other key workers, the common enemy has got the creative juices flowing.

Kool Hand, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020
Kool Hand, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020

This rather different piece from Kool Hand Depicts the nasty red virus coming under attack from numerous sharp objects and weapons, presumably in an attempt to kill it off. There is a message for all, ‘keep safe people’ which, following today’s news that new cases in the UK are increasing exponentially, is as relevant now as it was when it was written.

Keep safe people.

3152. Purdown HAA Battery (9)

An artist who hasn’t featured very much on Natural Adventures is CD.TC, but I am about to put that right over the next week or two.I don’t think he paints too much, but recently there has been a little rash of work, often alongside DazCat and Kool Hand.

CD.TC, Purdown, Bristol, July 2020
CD.TC, Purdown, Bristol, July 2020

This is a nice piece up at Purdown of a colourful character catching a little butterfly in a tin labelled CD.TC. I really don’t know where these artists get their ideas from, but maybe Purdown with its urban wildlife offers some inspiration. This is a tidy and beautifully sprayed piece from this rather under-represented artist.

3113. Purdown HAA Battery (8)

Yabadaba doo! John D’oh is having a little bit of fun up at Purdown Battery with these Fred Flintstone and Barbey Rubble stencils. Certainly these make a bit of a change from his more political stuff and a change is as good as a rest as they say.

John D'oh, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020
John D’oh, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020

Two of the stencils in full colour are of Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble, while the third is a little bit disturbing depicting a ‘caveman’ body with a Fred Flintstone head carrying a tray of fast food – it messes with my head a little.

John D'oh, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020
John D’oh, Purdown Battery, Bristol, July 2020

I love it that Barney Rubble, the least rebellious person one can think of, is holding a spray can in a kind of victory salute – although I think he has too many fingers for the style of cartoon (a small matter). Great fun pieces, beautifully executed.