It is always rather gratifying when a new artist appears on the scene; there is something new to write about and to look out for. NEVERGIVEUP is new to Bristol, and another member of the Polish contingent, so I am led to believe, which includes Hire and Laic217.
NEVERGIVEUP, The Bearpit, Bristol, June 2017
NEVERGIVEUP seems to specialise in these highly stylised and designed goofy rabbits. The more observant of you might wonder what it is about graffiti artists drawing goofy bunnies (Hire also sprays them) – maybe it is a Bugs Bunny thing. Who knows?
NEVERGIVEUP, The Bearpit, Bristol, June 2017
This is one of several bunnies that has appeared in The Bearpit over the last few weeks, and although he hasn’t been here long, NEVERGIVEUP is making an impression already.
Well this was a red letter day, oh yes. The day street art arrived in Redland (although we must not forget Cheo’s mural at Redland Station). Big bold and screaming out REDLAND for all to see.
2Keen, Aspire and Ryder, Redland Court Road, Bristol May 2017
This is a magnificent collaboration between 2Keen, Ryder and Aspire, and during its creation I have had the fortune to stop and talk to 2Keen on a couple of occasions, seeing as it is not at all far away from where I live.
2Keen, Aspire and Ryder, Redland Court Road, Bristol May 2017
What I did not know is that 2Keen is one of the original Bristol graffiti artists and is held in very high esteem indeed by his peers. This is the first piece of his that I have been aware of, although I might have seen others without realising who they were by.
2Keen, Redland Court Road, Bristol, May 2017
For those of you not familiar with the geography of Bristol, Redland is a very middle class, aspirational and residential part of the city, and although there is probably widespread appreciation of Bristol’s street art within the local community, it isn’t the sort of thing one expects to see at its heart. I so dearly love it.
2Keen, Aspire and Ryder, Redland Court Road, Bristol May 2017
2Keen told me that he had mixed reviews while he was working on it. Some people tried to move him on, some stopped to chat, the police took a look and admired the work, but to the shame of Redland some people spat at him. Well heeled…my arse!
2Keen, Aspire and Ryder, Redland Court Road, Bristol May 2017
I believe the writing is by Ryder, the dodo on the right by the magnificent Aspire, fresh from his Stokes Croft pigeon, and the rest of the fabulous Alice in Wonderland work is by 2Keen.
2Keen, Redland Court Road, Bristol, May 2017
I’m not sure if it will ever happen, but 2Keen said he’d take me out to spray a wall somewhere and teach me how it all works. I just need to find him again and take him up on the offer. Happy days.
Tuesday 2 May was something of a special day. I took a lunchtime walk to Dean Lane, and was lucky enough to come across an artist spraying a large buck-toothed bunny. This was a significant moment, because I have taken several pictures of this bunny about the place, but never posted it because I didn’t know who it was by.
This was my chance – I asked if he minded if I took a picture and I had a chat with him. Turns out he is Hire (pronounced ‘he ray’) and comes from Poland and sometimes paints with Laic217 (who he told me is also Polish). So now the piece I recently posted by the pair of them makes more sense.
Hire, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2017
So here is a toothy bunny from a little while ago from The Bearpit, and guess what…it is by Hire. You would not believe how many google searches I have done for street art bunnies/rabbits/graffiti/buck-teeth/scary and so on. Nothing, not a dicky bird. Anyhow it doesn’t matter anymore.
Hire, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2017
Feast your eyes on this bunny and enjoy. There will be more dredged from the archives soon.
I love surprises, and this was one hell of a surprise. I took a lunchtime stroll down North Street, because I knew there were some new pieces, but only caught sight of this one on my way back. What a find.
China Girl Tile, Lime Road, Bristol, February 2017
Of course, it is a bunny with a grenade by the amazing Chinagirl Tile – I have always wanted to find one of these, but to have one in Bristol is simply amazing. The new piece is only a street away from the amazing foxes and soup tin she installed for Upfest 2016.
China Girl Tile, Lime Road, Bristol, February 2017
Chinagirl Tile is always a very welcome visitor to Bristol, and I hope very much she will be returning soon. Let’s hear it for the wabbits.
It has been a little while since I last posted anything by Alex Lucas. This wonderful piece has decorated the Little Shop for a few years now and sits right on the cusp of Cheltenham Road and Stokes Croft – both street names appear in the featured image.
Alex Lucas, Cheltenham Road, Bristol, December 2015
In this commissioned mural Lucas does what she does so very well. Rabbits. Wonderful line drawings of rabbits interspersed with what appear to be pineapples. This junction with Ashley Road is really at the heart of Bohemian Bristol and there is barely a building without some kind of street art decorating it. I have the pleasure of walking this way to work every day (in the Summer at least) and never tire of this Lucas work.
Alex Lucas, Cheltenham Road, Bristol, December 2015
The left hand side of the building is part of the 123 Space – a gallery which is linked to the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) next door. The 123 Space is a place for the local art community to create, connect, dream and build together. The Facebook page is here.
This mural is deep in Zase country. Many of his works are on show in the neighbourhood, and recently this commission for the local veterinary practice has brightened up an otherwise drab wall. I suspect that business may have improved too.
Zase, Muller Road, Bristol, April 2016
These animals are beautifully painted, which is what we have come to expect from Zase designs. The animals are incredibly realistic, but seem to have a slightly cheeky cartoonish character about them. This is an artist at the top of his game.
Zase, Muller Road, Bristol, April 2016
He has also painted one of his trademark wildstyle burners, but I am unable to decipher it. He has dotted the whole piece with the words ‘love’, ‘compassion’ and ‘care’. All in all it is a wonderful community piece, and a local landmark.
Natural adventures 