2660. M32 Cycle path (45)

There has been a recent rush of Slakarts pieces and this one on the M32 cycle path is nicely sandwiched between Rezwok and Nightways from a session earlier on in December.

Slakarts, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019
Slakarts, M32 cycle path, Bristol, December 2019

Unmistakably by Slakarts, the artist has included a third eye, possibly as an afterthought, which is not painted in the same way as the ‘normal’ eyes with the blue and yellow colours and drips. This is a nicely executed piece and a welcome addition to a wall which is dominated by graffiti writing. Let’s hope 2020 brings us a visual feast as strong as 2019.

2657. Albert Park Place (4)

One of the first walls I found when I started doing all of this was this one in Albert Park Place. Little did I know then that it has one of the lowest turn-over rates of any wall In Bristol, and in five years, I think there have only been four pieces here so I expect this collaboration from Rezwonk and Slakarts is a bit of a keeper.

Rezwonk and Slakarts, Albert Park Place, Bristol, November 2019
Rezwonk and Slakarts, Albert Park Place, Bristol, November 2019

The central graffiti writing is obviously from Rezwonk, spelling out ‘REZER’ and the decorations on either side are from Slakarts. Rezwonk’s class shine through and the letters, fills and 3D shadings are really on point.

Rezwonk and Slakarts, Albert Park Place, Bristol, November 2019
Rezwonk and Slakarts, Albert Park Place, Bristol, November 2019

The contribution from Slakarts brings colour and interest to the piece and are re of Isabel from the design of the stylised faces. Even though Rezwonk painted the lion’s share of this collaboration, it would not be complete without Slakarts. Nice work from these two.

2636. St Werburghs tunnel (120)

Having only recently started posting pieces by Slakarts on Natural Adventures, it seems that more of his work is emerging, both on the streets recently and from my rummages in my archives.

Slakarts, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2019
Slakarts, St Werburghs, Bristol, December 2019

This is a magnificent piece in St Werburghs tunnel, full of character and humour, and something of a departure from his usual stylised faces that can be a bit on the sombre side. This is a simply executed cartoon style piece that really stands out. It is a pity that it is so yellow/gold, because those colours seem to get exggerated by the orange lighting in the tunnel. More fun pieces please!

2623. M32 Spot (55)

On one of the ramps of the M32 DIY skatepark is this rather sombre looking face, unmistakably the work of Slakarts. This picture was taken way back in January, before I knew who the artist was, and it has been languishing in my archive ever since. This is liberation day. It is also election day and the results will map out our national journey for the next five years… I fear the worst.

Slakarts, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019
Slakarts, M32 Spot, Bristol, January 2019

Slakarts paints using broad black outlines with solid fills to create his trademark faces which are often coloured with muted tones. The works are modest, both in creation and design and there is often a sadness or strangeness in the faces – this piece in particular feels peculiar without an iris or pupil in the eye. More to come from Slakarts.

2582. M32 Cycle path (40)

What a magnificent chrome beast this is on the M32 cycle path by Slakarts. The light coloured accents on the nose and cheeks and on the eyebrows and hair help to bring much more depth to the piece.

Slakarts, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019
Slakarts, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2019

This is probably my favourite Slakarts piece thus far, and it is typical of his stylised faces, and that it is cut off at the top and bottom matters not. I am pretty certain that I have more of his work slopping around somewhere in my archives, so I will try to dig it out. Nice piece.

2553. Dean Lane skate park (262)

One of the things I love about going through my archives is that I get to re-visit a whole bunch of gems that for one reason or another I didn’t publish at the time – often because I operate with a monumental backlog. I reckon that for every piece I post on Natural Adventures there must be five or six that never see the light of day.

Slakarts, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2018
Slakarts, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2018

This overlooked and yet utterly wonderful piece is by Slakarts and was painted in Dean Lane back in January last year. His trademark stylised faces are always recognisable and he seems to favour a soft or gentle colour palette. This face has been adorned with plenty of little decorations and some nice painted drips. More in my archives to come.

2507. St George skate park (8)

It is a great pity that I didn’t manage to photograph this piece by Slakarts before it got scuffed up (an occupational hazard for any paintings in a well-used skate park), because it is difficult to make out the true beauty of it. Although I have a few of his pieces in my archives, this is only the second of his pieces that I have written about. Probably about time to break some of his older pieces out.

Slakarts, St George, Bristol, September 2019
Slakarts, St George, Bristol, September 2019

His work often features a face in this style that rather resembles a mask. The subtle colours he has used here are probably more prone to skateboard damage than something that might have been a bit brighter but you can nonetheless get a sense of the rather solemn face. The drips are intentional. More to come from Slakarts soon.

2417. M32 Spot (48)

In my archives I have some other pieces by this artist, Slakarts, but for some reason have not posted any of them until now. I would say that this piece is not typical of the other pictures I have by the artist.

Slakarts, M32 Spot, Bristol, August 2019
Slakarts, M32 Spot, Bristol, August 2019

The column piece is beautifully thought out, with a queue of stylised figures, each holding the one in front like they are doing a conga. I will make my own narrative up for this one preferring the idea that they are in an orderly line to tell Boris Johnson what ann utter **** he is… just saying. Look out for more from this artist (archive stuff) on Natural Adventures.