33. Stokes Croft, Palmer’s (1)

This mural is one of several tribute walls in Bristol dedicated to Matt Hibbert known locally as ‘Mibsy’.

Jon5, Silent Hobo, Sepr, Deamze and Dotcom, Stokes Croft, Bristol, September 2015
Jon5, Silent Hobo, Sepr, Deamze and Dotcom, Stokes Croft, Bristol, September 2015

Mibsy had opened a spray paint shop (King of Paint) that supplied many of the local street artists, and he was much loved within the graffiti community.

His untimely death in July 2014, he was only 39, sparked a large number of tribute works, in particular in the Stokes Croft area.

Jon5, Silent Hobo, Sepr, Deamze and Dotcom, Stokes Croft, Bristol, September 2015
Jon5, Silent Hobo, Sepr, Deamze and Dotcom, Stokes Croft, Bristol, September 2015

This work, I believe, was a collaboration between Jon5, Silent Hobo, Sepr (see 19 and 22), Deamze and Dotcom, all Bristol artists.

Mibzy, Stokes Croft, Bristol, September 2015
Mibzy, Stokes Croft, Bristol, September 2015

The site is an interesting one. The once magnificent building dating back to 1868 was an ironmongery and hardware store but has fallen on hard times and is now derelict.

Hate is foolish, Stokes Croft, Bristol, September 2015
Hate is foolish, Stokes Croft, Bristol, September 2015

There is also a further interesting feature that accompanies the mural. On the left hand side is a statement that has been over-painted, but can be seen in relief, which reads ‘hate is foolish’. Layer upon layer.

6.5/10

22. Turbo Island

Nestled on the intersection between Stokes Croft and Jamaica Street there is a small green space called Turbo Island. Anyone who has lived in Bristol a while will know it as a place where alcoholics and drug addicts used to congregate.

Sepr, Stokes Croft, Bristol, August 2015
Sepr, Stokes Croft, Bristol, August 2015

However, things are changing and the ‘People’s Republic of Stokes Croft’ are trying to persuade Bristol City Council to return the space back to the community. One of the aims is to remove the advertising hoarding (not shown – to the left of this picture). It is certainly a better space than it was a few years ago.

During the Stokes Croft Festival of arts 2014, Sepr painted this ‘scarecrow and crows sitting down together’. A great sentiment. The mural is dedicated to Bob, but I don’t know the backstory.

7.5/10

19. Dighton Street

Sepr is considered to be one of a number of ‘third generation’ street artists hailing from Bristol.

He has a really distinctive style that has similarities to 1950s design and I sense some cubist influences. His last couple of works appear to incorporate a lot of grey and use of shadows, as well as featuring musicians.

Sepr, Dighton Street, Bristol August 2015
Sepr, Dighton Street, Bristol August 2015

This pair of works are very new (August 2015) and I think, post-date his mural on North Street from this year’s Upfest.

Sepr, Dighton Street, Bristol August 2015
Sepr, Dighton Street, Bristol August 2015

Really easy on the eye.

8/10