6153. Upfest 2024 (32)

Sr. Papa Chango, Upfest 24, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, May 2024
Sr. Papa Chango, Upfest 24, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, May 2024

Where to start with this outstanding and unbelievably cute piece by Sr. Papa Chango? An extraordinary still-life framed composition with a bowl of fruit and a decanter is enhanced with the appearance of two fluffy characters that appear to have artistic ambitions. The piece is so well painted, it almost looks like a poster that has been pasted up on this large wall.

Sr. Papa Chango, Upfest 24, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, May 2024
Sr. Papa Chango, Upfest 24, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, May 2024

I had not heard of Sr. Papa Chango before I saw this piece, and I believe that this might be his first trip to the UK, and definitely his first to Bristol. The Mexican artist now lives and paints out of Berlin, and is the creator of some magnificent murals like this one.

Sr. Papa Chango, Upfest 24, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, May 2024
Sr. Papa Chango, Upfest 24, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, May 2024

The artwork is so good and the creativity almost dreamlike and fantastical. In this piece he has managed to create a contrast between the passivity of the fruit and the activity of the adorable creatures, both of which are spilling out of the frame. This piece on the huge Redpoint Climbing Centre wall is absolutely one of the highlights of Upfest 2024.

6060. Upfest 2024 (9)

Fesa, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Fesa, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

In the interests of keeping as up to date as I can with Upfest posts on Natural Adventures, I am posting a rare fourth piece in one day. This outstanding mural by Fesa is painted on a board outside the Redpoint Climbing Wall, which has been a well known Upfest spot over the last few years, and although a little off the beaten track, is well worth hunting down.

Fesa, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024
Fesa, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024

Fesa is a self-taught fine artist from Munich, and this rendition of a Dalmatian dog set in a rural landscape is breathtakingly good. Although the whole piece is fairly simple and sparse, it is filled with the atmosphere of a warm day, and the toppled mug is a wonderful observation. The buildings in the background remind me of Paul Cézanne’s style of work, leaving quite a lot to the imagination. I love seeing fine art pieces upscaled in this way for street art, and Fesa has done an amazing job with this one. Lots of animals represented at Upfest this year.

3870. Upfest 2021 75×75 (39)

One of the street artists I admire the most is Zabou. Her portraits are legendary and I am constantly left in awe and admiration every time I see one of her pieces. This huge wall on the Redpoint Climbing Centre is her contribution to Upfest 75×75 and is jaw-droppingly brilliant.

Zabou, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest21
Zabou, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest21

The portrait is of a fellow artist called Slim Safont, who is a bit of a global superstar, and whose works are not too dissimilar in size and style to this one. Zabou is a French artist who, I think, lives in London, and there are plenty of examples of her incredible work in the capital.

Zabou, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest21
Zabou, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest21

I like the way she has combined the grey-scale portrait with lots of colour around it, something that our own Kosc has been playing with lately. I guess that this would be classed as a photorealistic piece set on an abstract background. Whatever it is called, it is a truly magnificent piece and painted on such a grand scale. She will have worked her way through several cans of paint on this one.

Zabou, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest21
Zabou, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest21

It is so good that Zabou comes to Bristol from time to time, and she has also painted in Cheltenham for the festival there. Zabou is without one of my all time favourite street artists.

3867. Upfest 2021 75×75 (38)

Nothing from Rowdy for a long while and then two posts in close succession, what joy. Rowdy is held in high regard in Bristol. He is a friend of Banksy and one of the early graffiti artists emerging from the Bristol scene in the 1980s. Probably the biggest public impact that he has made is his trademark crocodile which adorns various buildings around the city.

Rowdy, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest21
Rowdy, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest21

This magnificent beast for Upfest’s 75 walls in 75 days festival is the largest and most prominent piece I have seen by Rowdy since his piece in Stokes Croft that came tumbling down with the demolition of buildings around the Carriageworks.

Rowdy, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest21
Rowdy, Redpoint Climbing Centre, Bristol, July 2021, Upfest21

I am very fond of Rowdy’s crocodiles and other crazy creatures and it is fitting that Upfest should honour him with such a large wall, which just happens to be a perfect fit. Wonderful stuff.

Rowdy and Sweet Toof, The Carriageworks, Bristol, December 2016
Rowdy and Sweet Toof, The Carriageworks, Bristol, December 2016