Tag: Raleigh Road

1568. Raleigh Road, Tobacco Factory (11)

I first became aware of Stephen Quick’s work only a few metres from this spot with his fabulous kiss between Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford. To this day I am a big fan of his intricate stencils featuring contemporary stars and icons in familiar poses with a commentary twist.

Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018
Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018

This piece, a representation of the damage done to the reputation of Facebook in the light of recent scandals, brilliantly portrays the difficulties facing the company. I don’t know if it is intentional or not, but as if to rub salt into the wound, Quick has added his Twitter and Instagram account details at the bottom of the piece in the corporate colour of Facebook. Hah!

Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018
Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018

It is not only the witty content of his work that I am attracted to but it is the brilliant technical approach to his multi-layered pieces that amazes. He posts a lot of videos and pictures of his pieces in production on his website, Splintered Studios, and I thoroughly recommend a visit. All good.

1565. Raleigh Road vector (24)

It has been a while since I last took a trip to Raleigh Road, and similarly I haven’t posted anything by Rusk for a while, so here is a piece by Rusk in Raleigh Road. The building work behind these hoardings is moving on at pace, so this spot is on borrowed time, but for the time being it still serves as a great gallery for Bristol artists.

Rusk, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018
Rusk, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018

I have always taken a liking to Rusk’s writing, largely because of his perfectionist approach and desire to turn out high quality work. This particular piece incorporates a horizontal colour gradation that he favours in much of his work, with a strong, bright white accent line running through the middle of the piece. The interlocking letters, decorations and colour palette work well together. Another fine piece from this gentle artist.

1463. Upfest 2017 (162)

This gorgeous piece by Olivier Roubieu was definitely a hit with critics and visitors to Upfest 2017, receiving a lot ov coverage immediately after the event. It is a classy sophisticated piece beautifully painted, and something quite unusual for the walls of Bristol.

Oliver Roubieu, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Oliver Roubieu, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I note from his excellent website that Olivier Roubieu paints a lot of nudes, and I wonder if he toned this piece down for the conservative British audience. In general, it is rare to see nudes in street art in the UK and yet, it seems to be quite common on the continent. I don’t really know what is at the root of it – is it the people or the authorities?

Oliver Roubieu, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Oliver Roubieu, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

The dancers caught in an instant are full of movement and poise and stand out from the ethrial background ‘noise’. Difficult to believe that this has been created with spray cans. A fabulous contributiion to Upfest 2017.

1434. Raleigh Road, Tobacco Factory (11)

I’m not too sure when Gregos came to Bristol, but I have a feeling it might have been for Upfest 2015. There are only one or two of his face masks that remain in the city. I took this picture in 2016, and to be honest I’ve not checked to see if it is still there.

Gregos, Raleigh Road, Bristol, July 2016
Gregos, Raleigh Road, Bristol, July 2016

His masks adorn walls all around Europe and beyond, and it is always a pleasure to come across one. These haunting masks retain so much detail from the original mould and you can see wrinkles and eyelashes. His expressions vary from mask to mask, and with all installation artists location is critical. Gregos is the king of this style of street art.

1377. Raleigh Road (5)

This is another old one from 2016 on a wall that is no longer accessible, but was once a choice wall for the ASK crew. This is a fine piece by Cheo, which I have been looking at for ages, but still can’t make out the writing. ‘Equips’? As ever, great character and beautiful crisp lines.

Cheo, Raleigh Road, Bristol, April 2016
Cheo, Raleigh Road, Bristol, April 2016

I enjoy looking through my archive pictures as it affords me to look at people’s work through a different lens, one which has a better understanding of the artists and their art.

1375. Raleigh Road vector (23)

Although I only recently posted my first piece by Corupt, I have been aware of his work for quite a while. In all the time that I have seen his work, this is the first time I have seen anything by him on a more conventional ‘show’ wall. Usually his work is sprayed high above other pieces in spots with a high turnover.

Corupt, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018
Corupt, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018

Often colourful, he sprays his moniker with a deep perspective and variety of decorative fills. This busy piece has a candy, cakes and ice cream feel to it…maybe it is the colours and drips. Looking forward to posting more from Corupt.

1345. Raleigh Road, vector (22)

Yet another piece from my archive – I have to say that I rather like posting things sometime after I captured them, it somehow adds to the legacy element of what I do. This is a fine piece of wildstyle writing from Dibz on the hoardings that will very soon be coming down.

Dibz, Raleigh Road, Bristol, July 2017
Dibz, Raleigh Road, Bristol, July 2017

Dibz’ complex pieces are characterised by a deep shadow lifting the piece out from the wall and giving it a bit of body. His Instagram account is well worth a squint to see pictures of his latest sketches in his black book. A great Bristol graffiti writer.

1298. Raleigh Road, vector (21)

I have said it before (and I have said that before too), but I will say it again – I am really enjoying the work of Elvs. Having only comparatively recently established who he was, I seem to be finding a lot of his work, either contemporary or in my archives.

Elvs, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018
Elvs, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018

This is a recent piece in Raleigh Road that really stands out. The fade of shading through the piece is masterful and I rather like the yellow frame and green patterning that his letters ‘ELVS’ are sitting on. The pink and black accents lift the edges of his letters expertly. A fine piece of writing.

1289. Raleigh Road, vector (21)

Well here we have a fine piece from RAW’s Smak in Raleigh Road. His wildstyle writing realy is out of the top drawer and this work really showcases his skill. set on a blue background, which was probably prepped for this paintjam, his subtle blue lettering is lifted by the yellow and red accents and of course by the cheeky mushroom skull character.

Smak, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018
Smak, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018

I fear that this set of pieces may be some of the last at this site, which has hosted some remarkable work over the last 18 months or so, but the building work is nearing completion and it will not be long before the hoardings come down. We need some new sites to make up for it.

1278. Raleigh Road vector (21)

The covers are coming off the scaffolding at this site, which means that the hoardings will probably be coming down soon too, which is a pity, because this is a top spot for street artists. I suppose hoardings are by their very nature temoporary, so we should be thankful fot the opportunity.

Sled One, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018
Sled One, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018

This is another extraordinary piece by Sled One, who appears to be hitting the streets quite hard over the winter period. Sled One has offered us another masterclass in character wildstyle writing, where it is possible to make out the letters SLED, however I am less certain that I am able to unpick all the intricate stuff going on in the piece. There is so much detail to wade through. The main part of the story is in the letter D.

Sled One, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018
Sled One, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018

There is a skull-like character consuming something, but it is all a bit odd and surreal. Sled One has a fertile imagination, and supreme skill to be able to commit it to a wall with such fine craftsmanship. Another great work from the young artist.