Tag: Russia

4300. Sparke Evans Park (35)

Never far from our thoughts is the suffering of a nation at the hands of the dictator Putin. As one might expect, the war in the Ukraine has prompted a great many artists to express their own feelings about the situation in their own way. This is a perfect illustration of how street art and graffiti act as a visual chronicle of our times, marking historic moments through art and interpretation.

Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2022
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2022

This piece is a remarkably powerful one, and quite unlike anything I have seen before from the artist, Laic217. I am guessing that as a Pole, Laic217 feels particularly close to the unfolding events in Eastern Europe. This epic piece illustrating the brave and proud resistance by Ukraine and its citizens simply says ‘Glory to Ukraine’. I will go along with that.

Distracted

.

The first signs of spring

would normally bring me joy

this is different

.

by Scooj

4292. Mina Road (10)

With this post, you can see the kind of time backlog I work to (roughly two weeks). I tend to prepare a pipeline of photographs that I will post onto Natural Adventures, which makes the whole process a little bit more organised than it might be if I left it to last minute posting.

Slakarts, Mina Road, Bristol, February 2022
Slakarts, Mina Road, Bristol, February 2022

This is the first anti-war piece that references the horrendous invasion of Ukraine by the odious and deranged dictator Putin (it would be comforting to think that Russian intelligence might be scanning the Interweb for anti-Russian sentiment, and stumble upon this post). Slakarts has painted one of his trademark stylised portraits with the message ‘No War’ incorporated, a sentiment that all but the utterly deluded would agree with, I’m sure.

Unwelcome

.

Shame of a nation

where process trumps compassion

you are not welcome

.

by Scooj

* I am utterly disgusted by and ashamed of our government and the disgraceful way they have conducted themselves with the visa system for Ukrainian refugees. As a UK citizen I feel tarnished with their appalling indifference and lack of urgency for a European crisis. They do not speak for me or reflect my views.

Brexit was meant to free us from bureaucratic processes and allow us to be fleet of foot. Hah! Just like everything else to do with Brexit, it is a myth. The conservatives are playing to the nationalist sentiment in their party and voters, who don’t want any kind of immigration. It is disgusting. The sooner we have a more compassionate and honest government the better.

I am so ashamed to be British.

4284. M32 roundabout J3 (388)

A week or two back , Billy and Merny had a great time painting a few spots. I love it when these two get together as their naive style shines a bright light on the incredible diversity of art in Bristol. Their work is always full of messages and commentary, usually reflecting the contemporary political landscape.

Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2022
Billy, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2022

This piece would seem to be a dove of peace, and perhaps the colours selected represent both Ukraine and Russia, locked in an horrific war of dictator Putin’s making. It is the written message that is so powerful in this piece, recognising that these are dark times and that the National mood is low. Billy simply says ‘I hope you are ok’. I hope we are ok too.

What’s the point

.

Twice I have heard this,

putting things into context

sense of proportion

.

by Scooj

Invasion

.

I can’t shut it out

no matter how hard I try

fear, worry, loss, hope

.

by Scooj

Dirty money

.

Talk of dirty cash

by those that have gained from it

difficult to take

.

by Scooj

Cloak

.

Darkness surrounds us

a thick veil over Europe

light of peace snuffed out

.

by Scooj

On the brink

.

Macho posturing

east and west beating their chest

on the brink of war

.

by Scooj