Tag: PWA

2093. Lawrence Hill roundabout (6)

It seems that I have been a bit of a latecomer to the Lawrence Hill roundabout tunnels… well you can’t be everywhere can you? Although most of the graffiti in the tunnels is nothing to write home about, there are a few decent pieces, including this wonderful collaboration between Tasha Bee and Face 1st.

Tasha Bee and Face 1st, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, February 2019
Tasha Bee and Face 1st, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, February 2019

I like it when these two collaborate as their preferred soft-tone colour pallets and line drawings match so very well – there seems to be a good fusion of styles, which can’t be said for all collaborations. Peace and love.

2037. Lawrence Hill roundabout (3)

It would appear that Soap is a happy man these days, or at least his mouth motif has a joyous demeanour which may or may not reflect the artist’s own disposition. It is noticeable though that his recent pieces are all a lot more expressive and smiley than some of his older work.

Soap, Lawrence Hill roundabout, Bristol, February 2019
Soap, Lawrence Hill roundabout, Bristol, February 2019

This is a colourful and nicely embellished piece that screams out laughter and fun and is definitely a welcome addition to the rather drab tunnels at Lawrence Hill roundabout. I really like the squiggle decorations around the piece which might be Soap’s original tag. Good work.

2026. Mina Road (3)

OK, so I’m cheating a little bit. Some of you might have seen this piece in my Thursday Doors post last week, but it is deserving of a mention in my street art section too. A ‘belt and braces’ approach to sharing this one.

Face 1st and Soap, Mina Road, Bristol, February 2019
Face 1st and Soap, Mina Road, Bristol, February 2019

It is, of course, a collaboration between PWA members Soap and Face 1st and has such a charming quality to it. Add to that the location on some kind of municipal building behind a secured gate and you have all the makings of great urban street art.

Face 1st and Soap, Mina Road, Bristol, February 2019
Face 1st and Soap, Mina Road, Bristol, February 2019

I can’t quite figure it out, but there is something about the balance of the piece and the space it occupies that makes this a real winner for me.

 

 

2019. M32 roundabout J3 (125)

Another artist who seems to have upped his game over the last six months or so is Soap. I’m sure that I struggled to find any of his work for an age but now, I am pleased to say, I stumble across new pieces nearly every time I venture out.

Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019

This is a bad picture (the light was unkind) of a lovely piece by the artist, and one that extends his ‘standard’ motif into something a little more animated and fun. The addition of eyes creates a new sense of mischief and character. Great colours and really nicely worked patterns – this is a corker from Soap.

1943. M32 roundabout J3 (114)

One problem with prolific artists is that it is easy to let good pieces remain in archive, because time and tide wait for no man, blah blah blah. This beauty from Face 1st is from January last year, but is well worth the wait.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2018
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2018

Tucked into one of the pedestrian tunnels, a favoured spot for Face 1st, is this striking face…striking because of its strongly contrasting colours. For every piece by this artist that I post, there is probably one still in archive.

1898. M32 roundabout J3 (111)

The pedestrian/cyclist tunnels of the M32 roundabout are festooned with Face 1st pieces past and present, many of which I photograph, but never get round to posting. I was never going to let this one get away though.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

In this piece, which was very difficult to photograph on account of the narrowness of the tunnel and light intrusion, we see two faces with quite different expressions. It looks like the one on the left is full of mischief and the one on the right looks rather sad.

Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Face 1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

The hair of both the characters spells out FACE and for good measure the artist has added 1st at the right hand side. Another nice piece from this most prolific of artists.

1882. M32 roundabout J3 (108)

I may be imagining it or it might be a real thing, but Soap seems not only to be doing a lot more work on the street recently, but also is doing more writing. This is a lovely colourful little piece in one of the tunnels of the M32 roundabout combining his writing with his trademark mouths.

Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

These tunnels must be a nightmare to paint, because they act as both footpaths and cycle paths and seem to be forever busy. Anyone who can produce art of this quality in these tunnels gets my instant admiration.

1868. Star and Garter (2)

A new wall (for me) and a new artist (for me) is a rare and pleasurable thing in documenting the spectrum of opportunity and talent in Bristol’s street/graffiti art community. This unusual and interesting piece (there is a story unfolding here) is, I think, by Rosalita of PWA (Pirate Wall Art). The reason I believe this, is because Rosalita was tagged in an Instagram post by Soap (also PWA) who had been painting the wall on the same day and which I posted a few days ago.

Rosalita, Star and Garter, Bristol, November 2018
Rosalita, Star and Garter, Bristol, November 2018

I love the Russian doll idea and the two halves exposing a heart. The doll’s lips are stitched together suggesting some frustration perhaps. Like I said before, there is a story here…perhaps one of heartbreak. For sure though it is an unusual piece.

1864. Star and Garter (1)

I have known this spot for a long while now, and have visited it a couple of times in the past, but there hasn’t been much that I have been able to get my teeth in to…that is until now. This is a really fabulous piece of writing from PWA’s Soap. Great design, vibrant colours and lovely crisp lines.

Soap, Star and Garter, Bristol, November 2018
Soap, Star and Garter, Bristol, November 2018

I particularly like the way the colours bleed out of the top right hand side in smokey clouds – a clever effect. PWA (Pirate Wall Art) have really been showing the way over the last six months or so, and are a dominant force in the Bristol street art scene. Great spot, great work from Soap.

1857. M32 roundabout J3 (101)

This is an absolutely stunning piece of 3D writing by one of Bristol’s most talented young artists, Sikoh. There are only two other artists I know of in Bristol who can form 3D lettering as well as this and they are Zase and Lokey, so he is in very good company indeed.

Sikoh, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018
Sikoh, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2018

The letters spell out ‘Inspectah Deck’ and it is a tribute to the rapper/producer/actor. It is at this point that I have to disclose that my knowledge of rap and hip hop are not good, and despite an eclectic taste in music and good education, I know little of this genre…a major disadvantage for a street/graffiti art rapporteur. So I’ll focus on the art rather than the subject of the art. I’ll not say too much about this piece, because its quality is evident. Take a while to marvel at the shadows and accents. This is a beauty.