Tag: Slakarts

6892. M32 roundabout J3 (676)

Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2025
Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2025

It is a pity that Slakarts doesn’t appear to have much time for painting his stylised character pieces these days, but on the upside it probably means that he has a busy work and social life that is keeping him occupied. It is a bittersweet problem that real life can get in the way of the things we love to do with our ‘free’ time.

Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2025
Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2025

This is a welcome return of the Slakarts face that is so familiar, as you can see in this updated gallery of his work. The character face has two tongues, a duplication device often used by Slakarts, is bordered with a strong, thick red line and filled with nicely worked patterns in yellow and white. A welcome return from Slakarts.

6035. Lawrence Hill roundabout (19)

Slakarts, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, April 2024
Slakarts, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, April 2024

In amongst the dross in the tunnels of the Lawrence Hill roundabout, there are some real gems, but you need to hunt them down. This beauty by Slakarts stands out from the crowd, conspicuous on account of its superior quality in terms of both design and execution.

Slakarts, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, April 2024
Slakarts, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, April 2024

Although the character piece is on the small side, Slakarts has worked it into the location perfectly, following the contour of the handrail, rather than fighting against it. The winning combination of pink and blue colours is easy on the eye, but it is the crispness and clean lines that really grab me. I guess the piece is ll the more enjoyable for being in this location, where I wouldn’t ordinarily expect to find a Slakarts piece. Worth the trip alone.

5943. Purdown (68)

Slakarts, Purdown, Bristol, March 2024
Slakarts, Purdown, Bristol, March 2024

Set on the windy hilltop of Purdown, overlooking North Bristol, we find a glorious piece by Slakarts at his simple best. His regular stylised character has been given something of a facelift (literally) with both colour fills and patterns. The oranges and reds contrast beautifully with the background blues, rounding the piece off really nicely.

Slakarts, Purdown, Bristol, March 2024
Slakarts, Purdown, Bristol, March 2024

It has been an absolute age since I last met Slakarts (the last time was in St Werburghs tunnel during a lockdown) and now that he appears to be painting a little more frequently, there is a chance I might bump into him soon, which would be nice, because he is a really sound bloke. I am definitely enjoying his spring renaissance.

5897. M32 roundabout J3 (599)

Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol February 2024
Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol February 2024

I think it’s safe to say he’s back. Slakarts has been knocking out a few pieces lately, perhaps making up for lost time over the last couple of years, during which he has been reasonably quiet. With this quick one, he is maintaining his ‘mega-tag’ presence, reminding us that he is out and about.

Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol February 2024
Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol February 2024

Slakarts hasn’t buffed the wall for this piece, and ordinarily that might lead to it being a little bit lost, but his colour selection and precise spray can work are strong enough to help it stand out over the mess. More to come from the resurgent Slakarts soon.

5835. M32 Cycle path (251)

Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2024
Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2024

This is not the first time that Slakarts has painted this flaky board, and I suspect it won’t be the last time either. I think it would be fair to say that Slakarts is now a rather occasional painter of Bristol’s walls compared with a couple of years ago, and this is a bit of a pity. I guess that it means he has less time to paint, which implies that he is busy with other things, which is probably a good thing.

Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2024
Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2024

The stylised cartoon face that Slakarts has painted is rather more colourful than some of his earlier versions, but the same basic design remains, which is comforting in a way, perhaps more so knowing that he is capable of painting other things too. The flaky nature of the board makes pieces painted on it look rather old, but in actual fact this was quite freshly painted. I’ll be hoping for more from Slakarts as the year unfolds.

5691. M32 Cycle path (239)

Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2023
Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2023

There is a special reason for really admiring this piece by Slakarts, and that is the skill with which he has painted this roughly textured and flaky hoarding without appearing to compromise his final outcome in the slightest. The piece jumps out from the wall and oozes quality.

Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2023
Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, November 2023

Slakarts, as I have mentioned recently, has seriously taken his foot off the gas with his street pieces, so it is always a real treat to find one. The piece tends towards the abstract, merging a couple of his iconic stylised faces into one. The yellow and green colour combination works particularly well on this rather dreary wall. Great stuff from Slakarts.

5676. M32 roundabout J3 (531)

Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023
Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023

A year or two ago, Slakarts was one of the more prolific artists in Bristol. I have a feeling that he is busy with work these days, which is, of course,  good thing, but it means we get to see fewer pieces on the streets. These days, every piece is a very welcome surprise, like this one on the M32 roundabout.

Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023
Slakarts, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023

Slakarts has developed his style considerably, developing his trademark faces into something altogether more sophisticated. This sophisticated abstract piece incorporates his face design into a busy mash up of facial features, letters and symbols to create a bright and exciting experience. I would love to see more of his work, but have to be grateful for small mercies.

5463. St Werburghs tunnel (380)

Slakarts, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023
Slakarts, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023

The work of Slakarts tends to be occasional these days, rather than frequent, but in a way that makes it a little bit more special when it does come along. This double portrait piece was a lovely surprise a couple of weeks back at the entrance to the tunnel, which the council have once again, in their wisdom, buffed over.

Slakarts, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023
Slakarts, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2023

There is a story to this piece I would think, and my guess would be that Slakarts has a dog and he is showing his love and appreciation in this piece. The quick characters piece is filled with a light white backwash and finished with strong clean black outlines, all the hallmarks of a job done in a bit of a hurry. It is nicely thought out though, and the contented couple are accompanied with the words “Man’s best m8”, which is rather sweet really. Great to see that Slakarts has managed to get out again, even if only occasionally.

5420. M32 Spot (168)

Slakarts, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2023
Slakarts, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2023

It would seem that Slakarts has been busy with real life lately, and his pieces are few and far between and tend to be ‘quick ones’ in contrast to the more sophisticated and designed pieces he was painting throughout 2021, 2022 and at the start of this year.

Slakarts, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2023
Slakarts, M32 Spot, Bristol, July 2023

In this piece, Slakarts returns to his base character, cunningly fitted onto the column, with a slight stretch. Great fills and superb cutting-in of the black outlines throughout the piece. The selfish part of me wants to see more Slakarts pieces on the street for me to enjoy, but I am also happy that he might be busy with work/family or other distractions keeping him off the streets.

5012. M32 Cycle path (196)

Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023

I came in search of a Face 1st piece, but instead found this wonderful Slakarts colour fest, so you win some, and you lose some, I guess. I have noticed that in some areas of Bristol, the turnover has been on the high side, which means that if you snooze, you lose, and I have been doing a fair amount of snoozing recently.

Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023
Slakarts, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, February 2023

Although Slakarts has had a fairly quiet twelve months, the pieces he has painted are real belters. I’m not sure that I can convey just how good this piece is technically. The design is great, but the definition between elements with the thick, crisp black lines is outstanding, and the colour fades and shading, to give depth are excellent too. This is Slakarts at his best.