I did a double take when I first set eyes on this piece, because the first thought that came into my head was that this was a piece by Subtle (what has happened to him?), and although there is plenty here to support that thought it quickly became obvious that this was another chunky Cobo piece.
Cobo, Greenbank, Bristol, November 2023
The richly coloured letters spell out COBER, and are big and bold, almost like rocks. The little character looks a bit like a seal or a dog, but they can both look alike, so I am not going to fixate about it. Overall this is a strong piece from Cobo who seems to be getting into a bit of a rhythm with a series of great pieces recently.
Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023
The Upfest team, through the Weston Wallz project, have secured some of the most commanding walls imaginable, and handing this one to Curtis Hylton was a master stroke of vision and confidence. Rarely will you get such an uninterrupted view of an epic wall like this one, so massive congratulations to all involved
Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023
Many of the murals painted for Weston Wallz carry a marine theme, due to the proximity of the town to the Severn Estuary seaside. In this outstanding piece, Curtis Hylton has painted an eclectic collection of seals, an eel and some freshwater goldfish, with a rather nice starfish thrown in for good measure. The seals and eel have been given the Hylton treatment, incorporating flowers and petals into their form.
Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023
The attention to detail and perfect rendition of wildlife is a gift that few artists have. The goldfish, in particular, are beautifully recreated, although their presence disturbs me a little as a marine biologist, because they are out of place here. I would love to know what Curtis Hylton’s explanation might be.
Curtis Hylton, Weston wallz, Weston-super-Mare, May 2023
This statement piece is a triumph and just another reason for the local people of Weston-super-Mare to be super-proud of their town. Outstanding!
I love artists who visit Bristol and leave behind something a bit different, and wow, this piece by Olek McBolek is definitely a bit different. What’s not to like about a smoking seal sipping on a cocktail?
Olek McBolek, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2023
The seal is nicely presented with good perspective, and the composition is hilarious (a word I don’t use very often). It is the smoke in the large red space that definitely catches the eye though. I’m not quite sure what it spells, but it looks like there is a P or a D, a U or L or an E and an H or a K. Make of it what you will, or just enjoy a seal having a fag.
Natural adventures 