2035. M32 cycle path (20)

How is it possible that I can still keep finding Laic217 pieces in my archive? This one is from October last year on the M32 cycle path but probably didn’t get published immediately on account of the poor light quality. This particular wall is very hard to photograph without getting flaring from the sun or bright sky behind it. So much about photographing street art is dependent on light quality and time of day – I get it wrong too often, but with a full-time job I am rather constrained in the times I get to go out.

Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2018
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2018

I rarely say this about Laic217’s work, but in my view this is not his best. The shirt material is exceptional , but I am just not sure about the face. I think a partially decomposed face is probably very difficult to do and the teeth and nose don’t quite seem right. Having said that it’s all still pretty good and utterly likeable. Will I be able to dig out some more oldies from Laic217…?

Laic217

A collection of brilliant street art by Bristol artist Laic217 – quite a few skulls here!

All photographs taken by Scooj

Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2023
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2023
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2023
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2023
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023
Laic217 and Zake, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Laic217 and Zake, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2023
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, October 2023
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, October 2023
Laic217, River Avon, Bristol, October 2023
Laic217, River Avon, Bristol, October 2023
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2023
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2023
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, August 2023
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2023
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2023
Laic217, St John's Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Laic217, St John’s Lane, Bristol, June 2023
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
Hire and Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
Hire and Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2023
Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2023
Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2023
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2023
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2023
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2023
Laic217, River Avon, Bristol, April 2023
Laic217, River Avon, Bristol, April 2023
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2023
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2023
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, December 2022
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, December 2022
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2022
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2022
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, September 2022
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, August 2022
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2022
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2022
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2022
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, July 2022
Laic217, Spake Evans Park, Bristol, June 2022
Laic217, Spake Evans Park, Bristol, June 2022
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Brisol, March 2022
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Brisol, March 2022
Laic217, Purdown, Bristol, March 2022
Laic217, Purdown, Bristol, March 2022
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2022
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, March 2022
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2021
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, December 2021
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, December 2021
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, December 2021
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2021
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2021
Laic217, Catherine Mead Street, Bristol, November 2021
Laic217, Catherine Mead Street, Bristol, November 2021
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2021
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2021
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2021
Laic217, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2021
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2021
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, September 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, September 2021
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2021
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, September 2021
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2021
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2021
Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, July 2021
Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, July 2021
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2021
Laic217, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, June 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, June 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, June 2021
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2021
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2021
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2021
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2021
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2021
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2021
Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2021
Laic217, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, April 2021
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, March 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, March 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, March 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, March 2021
Laic217, River Avon, Bristol, March 2021
Laic217, River Avon, Bristol, March 2021
Laic217, River Avon, Bristol, March 2021
Laic217, River Avon, Bristol, March 2021
Laic217, New Stadium Road, Bristol, March 2021
Laic217, New Stadium Road, Bristol, March 2021
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, January 2021
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, January 2021
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, January 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, January 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, January 2021
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, January 2021
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, Jnuarty 2021
Laic217, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, Jnuarty 2021
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2020
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2020
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2020
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2020
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol August 2020
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol August 2020
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2020
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2020
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2020
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2020
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, June 2020
Laic217, L Dub, Bristol, June 2020
Laic217, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2020
Laic217, Brunel Way, Bristol, June 2020
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2020
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2020
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2020
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2020
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2020
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2020
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2020
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2020
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2020
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2020
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2020
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2020
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2017
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2017
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, August 2019
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, August 2019
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, May 2019
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, April 2019
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, April 2019
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2019
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2019
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2019
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2019
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2018
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2019
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, January 2019
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, January 2019
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2018
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, February 2018
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, February 2018
Laic 217 and Cort, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Laic 217 and Cort, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, September 2018
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, September 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
Laic 217, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2018
Laic 217, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, M32 roiundabout, Bristol, October 2016
Laic217, M32 roiundabout, Bristol, October 2016
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, June 2018
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, June 2018
Laic217, M32, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217, M32, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217, M32, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217, M32, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217 and Cort, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217 and Cort, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217 and Cort, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018Laic217 and Cort, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217 and Cort, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217 and Cort, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217 and Cort, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, May 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, March 2018
Laic217, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Laic217, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2018
Laic217, Ashley Road, Bristol, July 2017
Laic217, Ashley Road, Bristol, July 2017
Laic217, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
Laic217, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, December 2017
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, December 2017
Laic217 and Cort, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2017
Laic217 and Cort, Dean Lane, Bristol, November 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017
Laic217, Bedminster, Bristol, July 2017
Laic217, Bedminster, Bristol, July 2017
Laic217, M32 junction 3, Bristol, September 2017
Laic217, M32 junction 3, Bristol, September 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, June 2017
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, June 2017
Laic, Bedminster, Bristol, July 2017
Laic, Bedminster, Bristol, July 2017
Laic217, The Bearpit, Bristol, July 2017
Laic217, The Bearpit, Bristol, July 2017
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, June 2017
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, June 2017
Laic217, Old Bread Street, Bristol, June 2017
Laic217, Old Bread Street, Bristol, June 2017
Laic217, New Stadium Road, Bristol, May 2017
Laic217, New Stadium Road, Bristol, May 2017
Laic217, M32, Bristol, June 2017
Laic217, M32, Bristol, June 2017
Laic217, M32, Bristol, June 2017
Laic217, M32, Bristol, June 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Laic 217, Moon Street, Bristol, May 2017
Laic 217, Moon Street, Bristol, May 2017
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2017
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2017
Laic217 and Cort, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2016
Laic217 and Cort, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2016
Laic217 and Cort, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Laic217 and Cort, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2017
Laic217, The Bearpit, Bristol, May2017
Laic217, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, April 2017
Laic217, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, April 2017
Laic217 and Hire, Armada Place, Bristol, April 2017
Laic217 and Hire, Armada Place, Bristol, April 2017
Laic217, Armada Place, Bristol, April 2017
Laic217, Armada Place, Bristol, April 2017
Laic 217, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2017
Laic 217, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2017
Laic 217, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2017
Laic 217, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2017
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2017
Laic217, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2017
Laic217, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2017
Laic217, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2017
Laic217, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2017
Laic217, The Bearpit, Bristol, March 2017
Laic217, St Werburghs tunnel, Bristol, March 2017
Laic217, St Werburghs tunnel, Bristol, March 2017
Laic217, M32 junction, Bristol, February 2017
Laic217, M32 junction, Bristol, February 2017
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, February 2017
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, February 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2017
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2017
Laic217, King Square Avenue, Bristol, February 2017
Laic217, King Square Avenue, Bristol, February 2017
Laic217, Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2017
Laic217, Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2017
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, January 2017
Laic217, M32 cycle path, Bristol, January 2017
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, January 2017
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, January 2017
Laic217, Old Bread Street, Bristol, January 2017
Laic217, Old Bread Street, Bristol, January 2017
Laic217, Old Bread Street, Bristol, January 2017
Laic217, Old Bread Street, Bristol, January 2017
Laic217, St Werbergs, Bristol September 2016
Laic217, St Werbergs, Bristol, September 2016
Laic 217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2016
Laic 217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2016
Laic 217, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2016
Laic 217, Moon Street, Bristol, March 2016
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, September 2016
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, September 2016
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2016
Laic217, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2016
Laic217, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, June 2016
Laic217, Dean Lane skate park, Bristol, June 2016
Laic217, The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2016
Laic217, The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2016
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
Laic217, Wilder Street, Bristol, May 2016
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Laic217, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016
Laic217, M32 Roubndabout, Bristol, March 2016
Laic217, M32 Roubndabout, Bristol, March 2016
Laic 217, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2016
Laic 217, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2016
Laic 217, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
Laic 217, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016

1960. Ashfield Place

One of my favourite pieces of 2018 was this lovely collaboration by Soap and Face 1st. It is one of those collaborations that is more of a proximity of work, rather than a true collaborative merger.

Soap, Ashfield Place, Bristol, January 2018
Soap, Ashfield Place, Bristol, January 2018

I must have driven past it hundreds of times thinking that I really must stop and take a picture, but it is close to a road junction and there are very limited parking opportunities. The left hand side is by Soap and is one of his most regularly used designs in a nice metallic silver. The tongues are particularly nice with the purple tinge.

Face 1st, Ashfield Place, Bristol, January 2018
Face 1st, Ashfield Place, Bristol, January 2018

It is the Face 1st piece though that is in my view outstanding. I do so much like his full figurine, and every time I see her, she seems just that bit more special. In this piece it is her hair that is so captivating, and the blue spotted bow. Her eye lashes too are extraordinary. When I spoke with Face 1st not long after he had painted this lady, he told me it was one of his favourites too.

Face 1st, Ashfield Place, Bristol, January 2018
Face 1st, Ashfield Place, Bristol, January 2018

A beautiful lady.

1914. Upfest 2018 (110)

I remember very well the piece that Bill Giles created for Upfest 2017, and this piece, in a similar style, is bigger and better. Bill is a Bristol designer/illustrator and street artist whose ‘melting’ characters are instantly recognisable.

Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This piece, at the Tobacco Factory, is classic Bill Giles and has real class. It is great to have a picture of the skecth stage of the work to get a feel for how the piece gets from the black book onto the wall.

Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I like this piece, and rather wish he did a little more street work than he does. Imagine what this would look like at Dean Lane for example. A lovely piece for Upfest.

Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Bill Giles, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

1892. Shoreditch, London (10)

In a little side street/yard off Brick Lane there is a derelict area which is a bit of a street art oasis. On the passageway into the area is this magnificent piece by Envol, which is quite different from anything else there.

Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018
Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018

I have come across Envol a couple of times at Upfest in Bristol, so it was great to see something by him outside of the festival context. His highly designed ‘classical’ pieces are simply presented but nicely framed with strong shapes and colours.

Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018
Envol, Shoreditch, London, November 2018

When I first saw this piece I thought it had been dogged at the base of the skull, but on closer inspection and a quick squint at the Artist’s Instagram it seems that this is a deliberate technique that he adopts from time to time. It is a good feeling once again to stumble upon art in unfamiliar surroundings that I am familiar with.

1756. Dean Lane skate park (172)

I just love it when these two get together, which fortunately they seem to manage rather regularly. These Laic217 bookended Cort pieces do tend to follow a formula in terms of presentation, but the characters and writing always offer something visually stimulating.

Cort, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Cort, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018

Cort’s writing style seems to be quite versatile and he has produces a real gem here, incorporating soft curves and angular shapes all into the same piece. It is an unusual and slightly unconventional style, but that is what makes it stand apart from other writing.

Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018

Then on to the Laic217 characters. His skeletons have become such a prominent feature of walls around Bristol that they must have entered the sub-conscious of a great many Bristolians on exposure alone.

Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018

Rarely disappointing these figures include many of the things we expect from Laic217 – great clothing, skulls, smiley’s brick walls, bucket hats. I love the bit of fun too with the left hand side character using a roller to spell out the two artist’s names at the top of the piece. Another classic wall.

Laic 217 and Cort, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018
Laic 217 and Cort, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2018

 

 

1675. Dean Lane skate park (153)

I only took this picture a couple of weeks ago and it has been buffed over at least twice since then. It is by the irrepressible Laic217 who never tires of creating these wonderful skulls and skeletons in various guises.

Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018
Laic217, Dean Lane, Bristol, August 2018

This skull is donning a gas mask, or is it a sophisticated protection mask from the fumes of spray paint? I guess perhaps the latter and the yellow patterns are the paint fumes. It works either way really. The detail in the eye sockets of the skull is awesome and the bucket hat with the smiley so full of character. Laic217 has smashed it with this one.

1568. Raleigh Road, Tobacco Factory (11)

I first became aware of Stephen Quick’s work only a few metres from this spot with his fabulous kiss between Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford. To this day I am a big fan of his intricate stencils featuring contemporary stars and icons in familiar poses with a commentary twist.

Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018
Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018

This piece, a representation of the damage done to the reputation of Facebook in the light of recent scandals, brilliantly portrays the difficulties facing the company. I don’t know if it is intentional or not, but as if to rub salt into the wound, Quick has added his Twitter and Instagram account details at the bottom of the piece in the corporate colour of Facebook. Hah!

Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018
Stephen Quick, Raleigh Road, Bristol, June 2018

It is not only the witty content of his work that I am attracted to but it is the brilliant technical approach to his multi-layered pieces that amazes. He posts a lot of videos and pictures of his pieces in production on his website, Splintered Studios, and I thoroughly recommend a visit. All good.

1550. Jamaica Street (14)

You may notice that I have once again been rummaging around in my archives, and have found this rather nice installation piece by Will Coles dating back to September last year. There was another of these LOL skulls in The Bearpit, ahich appeared at round about the same time.

Will Coles, Jamaica Street, Bristol, September 2017
Will Coles, Jamaica Street, Bristol, September 2017

This one, like many of his pieces’ is quite easy to miss despite its location directly opposite the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft outdoor gallery. I like the quirky nature of Will Coles’ pieces and particularly like the skill he has for choosing his locations. I wonder how many of his pieces I might have missed in Bristol.

1403. Upfest 2017 (160).

There is an interesting story to this collaboration ‘Girl and Death’ in so much as it was not a planned collaboration at all…it just kind of happened. How do I know this? I discovered it on the Instagram feed of one of the artists involved, Nino Werner:

After a night of crazy partying, we started this painting with no real direction first & just enjoyed the fun show that is Bristol Streetart Festival called @upfest . What first started as two separate pieces merged together in the process when we got to know the very talented fella (Luke) next to our dedicated painting spot, who was also painting in black and white, but also added gold. We like shiny things so we grabbed some golden paint and made the separate artworks merge together. The painting is either a reference to a sketch of famous Norwegian artist Edvard Munch (also called Girl and Death) or the fun party night and the hangover David had the next day when we painted it.

It is always great to get a bit of insight from the artists themselves.

Nino Werner, Javi, David Schumann, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Nino Werner, Javi, David Schermann, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

The girl on the left of the collaboration is by Nino Werner, Javi and David Schermann, who I believe visited Upfest from Austria. And on the right of the piece is an intricate skull in black white and gold by Luke Gray.

Nino Werner, Javi, David Schumann and Luke Grey, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Nino Werner, Javi, David Schermann and Luke Gray, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Luke Gray has a fabulous website which is well worth a visit. His biography states that he is from the UK and is a nomadic surrealist symbolist painter. He was born colour blind and works in an almost exclusively black and white pallette, using patterns and textures rather than colours.

A fine accidental collaboration.