6598. Upfest 2024 (57)

Sarah Trotter, Upfest 24, The Tobaccco Factory, Bristol, May 2024
Sarah Trotter, Upfest 24, The Tobaccco Factory, Bristol, May 2024

Upfest is a huge opportunity for local, national and international artists to show off their artwork, and it can be exceptionally good exposure for some of our local artists, such as Sarah Trotter. I have only seen one piece before by Sarah Trotter, which was painted in Dean Lane as part of a Bristol Mural Collective paint jam, and I remember very much liking that piece.

Sarah Trotter, Upfest 24, The Tobaccco Factory, Bristol, May 2024
Sarah Trotter, Upfest 24, The Tobaccco Factory, Bristol, May 2024

Sarah Trotter’s elaborate and colourful style is a sumptuous feast for the eyes, full of richness and detail. It looks like this piece contains a fair amount of symbolism, with the centrepiece featuring a circle, a triangle and a sphere. Sitting above are wings and some beautiful feathers, and all of it set on a barren orange landscape and turquoise sky. Wonderful stuff.

Sarah Trotter, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
Sarah Trotter, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023

5383. Dean Lane skate park (624)

Sarah Trotter, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
Sarah Trotter, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023

Since the appearance of the Bristol Mural Collective, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of artistic murals by fine artists, illustrators and designers who have transferred their skills from the studio to the streets and the overall impact has been to broaden further the incredible diversity of street art we have in Bristol. This unusual piece by Sarah Trotter is a great example of the kind of work that has been unleashed.

Sarah Trotter, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
Sarah Trotter, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023

The piece, Love like a Lobster, is very well described by the artist on her Instagram feed, and I recommend that you read what she has to say about the piece. The hand on the left is tenderly dancing with the lobster on the right, in a beautiful feast of colour and movement. I like the way that Sarah Trotter has really thought about the piece and the surroundings, including paying attention to the textures on the wall. There is a great more depth to the piece than first meets the eye. I’ll be looking out for more street art from Sarah Trotter.