Tag: RAW

5526.M32 Spot (172)

Dopes, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2023
Dopes, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2023

Although rather small, this is a rather good piece by Dopes. The choice of hoarding is challenging, being at the top of a DIY skate ramp, and on short boards that have been slapped together. On the upside, anyone who paints this spot is likely to have their work on display for a considerable period.

Dopes, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2023
Dopes, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2023

Dopes has been out and about a fair bit recently and the quality of his work is always high. Out of necessity, the letters bleed off the top of the hoarding, but in spite of that are nicely proportioned. Great colours and white rather than dark borders and 3D drop shadow. Easy on the eye stuff from Dopes.

5509. Cumberland Basin

T-Rex, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023
T-Rex, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023

I am sure that it can be a challenge getting out to paint sometimes for most artists, as real life can change the dynamics and available time and space… things like jobs, family, mental health, other commitments, friendships and so on can slow or even curtail activity. It is great to see that T-Rex and Ryder are still able to hit the occasional wall in spite of having started a family, and are managing to embrace all that they hold dear in balance. I guess that what I am saying is that there are great reasons why we don’t see T-Rex pieces all that often, but it is wonderful when we do.

T-Rex, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023
T-Rex, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023

This one in Cumberland Basin is a classic piece of T-Rexery, in which she spells out T-REX and adds the head of our friendly dinosaur character to the ‘X’. There is a lightness of touch about her work and her fills are simply superb. I know that T-Rex has done another piece recently, so watch this space, for more dinosaur writing fun.

5488. Brunel Way (228)

Dopes, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2023
Dopes, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2023

I caught up with Dopes and Fade for a little while as Dopes was finishing off this piece on the long wall alongside the River Avon. We chatted for a while, which was enjoyable and informative. Just as Dopes was packed up and leaving, he glanced at the piece and commented that the ‘D’ was all wrong and looked a little distorted. I have to say that I hadn’t noticed, but there you have it, artists know what they want and are deeply critical of their own work, and they always notice the little defects.

Dopes, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2023
Dopes, Brunel Way, Bristol, August 2023

Chrome pieces are prized in the graffiti community, but I have to say that they are not my favourite, and I think they are probably more of a graffiti culture thing as much as anything else. As I would expect from Dopes, this is neatly done with consistent patterning and styling throughout.

5245. M32 Spot (162)

Ryder, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2023
Ryder, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2023

Conrico organised a paint jam under the M32 a week or so back, and a great many of the columns there were given a fresh coat of paint, including this banging vertical piece of writing from Ryder. The slogan accompanying this fiery piece is “play with fire – get burnt”, an apt phrase for the graffiti community.

Ryder, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2023
Ryder, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2023

Some artists have pure class, which is a gift that can’t be manufactured, and Ryder has class. There is a confidence and assertiveness about his work that eclipses others around him, and this is a great example of that. The fun piece (spelling out RYDER) incorporates character faces into the letters, something Ryder does a fair bit, and has a delicious colour selection with perfect fills, and a steady black outline. This is one of the best column pieces I have seen in a long while. Simply the best.

5130. M32 Cycle path (208)

Smak, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023
Smak, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023

Happy Easter folks. It looks like today has the makings of a perfect blue-sky day, but it is a little cloudy just now. At least it isn’t raining. This is a little Easter treat, although it was painted a while back, from Smak, whose work these days is not as frequent as it once was.

Smak, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023
Smak, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, March 2023

The SMAK letters in a kind of brown/brass colour are set on a background of pink and blue, and have a kind of ‘brushed metal’, look to them. A modest piece from one of the best graffiti writers in town.

5124. Moon Street (103)

Ryder, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2018
Ryder, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2018

This is another piece from the archive, and is an absolute classic from RAW’s Ryder. Ryder is at the very heart of everything that is great about graffiti writing in Bristol. His work is consistently brilliant, there is always an element of edge and the style of writing has a really strong local identity to it. If you look at graffiti writing from around the world there are clearly local styles and influences, and Ryder is central to the Bristol look.

Ryder, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2018
Ryder, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2018

Painted in April 2018, in red and gold, the letters RYDER stand out and smack you in the face. It is weird looking at the finished piece, but it feels like the creation was effortless, maybe because of his modesty and lack of fuss. Punchy and direct, this is a no nonsense statement from the wonderful Ryder.

4991. M32 Cycle path (195)

Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2023
Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2023

At some point, in the not too distant past, some kindly people or group installed a little raised bed in this dark, dank corner below the M32 motorway. Unfortunately, for many reasons, the bed has not been maintained, and has become a dumping ground (see the razor wire, that seems to reside here) and public toilet. Even in these rather revolting conditions, street artists and writers continue to paint the walls, at risk to their own health, to brighten the place up a bit.

Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2023
Ryder, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, January 2023

This is a lovely chrome burner from Ryder, a true gentleman of Bristol, that through its apparent simplicity and sharpness provides a little eye candy in this desperate spot. It was painted alongside a T-Rex piece (to follow). I like the way the chrome picks up and reflects the light in this dingy space.

4425. Elton Street (6)

This is another gorgeous T-Rex piece painted as part of the recent renewal of the high hoardings in Elton Street on the outside wall of the Lost Horizons Arts Centre. T-Rex as always, has produced a very classy dinosaur on a very classy background.

T-Rex, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2022
T-Rex, Elton Street, Bristol, April 2022

Of course, the dinosaur is full of mischief, running off with a stick of dynamite in its hand – I’m not sure what the story is here other than to highlight the naughty character. The pink Tyrannosaurus Rex, which is cleverly positioned in the frame by looking backwards, has all the hallmarks of the artist… strong and solid fill and clean solid outlines. In this particular piece, the background deserves a special mention, providing a forest canopy kind of habitat. Great to see.

4374. Sparke Evans Park (38)

Dopes is an artist who appears to like spraying in tight little spots tucked away on the margins of popular graffiti spots, or maybe I just happen to find his pieces in such places.  This one is underneath the bridge in Sparke Evans Park, alongside a Maesyhook piece that until a week ago had been there forever (to make an appearance on Natural Adventures soon).

Dopes, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2022
Dopes, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2022

Set out in chrome on a turquoise background, Dopes spells out his name, with a rather curious character figure making up the ‘O’. A subtle splash of pink decoration and border gives the piece a little bit of zing and lifts it up above other chrome throw ups.

4318. Turbo Island

There is no question that this a fabulous piece, and Ryder clearly demonstrates that he is not only a ‘letters’ man, but is equally adept at creating characters.

I have a reservation about this piece though, not of its quality, but because I always struggle with street art being used to advertise commercial products, unless as a commission on a commissioned space. Somehow, it just doesn’t sit right with me and I know I am being super-picky, but the street art and Graffiti art community is one that is usually at the front of the queue to complain about consumerism and advertising. I expect this piece was painted for friends, and is at the acceptable end of the advertising spectrum, so I will get over myself and stop here.

Ryder, Turbo Island, Bristol, March 2022
Ryder, Turbo Island, Bristol, March 2022

This is an eye-catching piece at a spot that seems to lurch from high quality pieces to absolute dross and this certainly sits in the former category. The Cheshire cat with its huge grin is outstanding, and the blue and red colours work so well on the black and white of the piece. Love the roller painter Ryder above the piece. Nice work from one of the best.