Yet another remarkable Sled One piece that almost got away. This end of the M32 wall is near a tree, and for most of the day, on sunny days, the wall is dappled with sunlight and Shad, which renders it almost impossible to photograph successfully. I had to return a couple of times to catch it on a rather more overcast day to capture it in all its glory.
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2018
Sled One appears to churn out these extraordinary pieces with such ease, although I expect that is not the case at all… perhaps the mark of an artist at the top of his game. In Bristol right now, Sled One is probably the greatest story teller through his art, every piece containing a strong visual narrative (is that a thing?). I’m not too sure what the story is here, but the man in the ‘D’ of SLED appears to be running away from something. Always great to find pieces by this gifted artist.
My oh my! A couple of weeks ago this utterly remarkable collaboration by Smak and Sled One appeared on the hoardings in Nelson Street which have in recent times been a bit of an ASK playground. It is quite one of the best collaborations I have seen for a long while, and I don’t think that Bristolians, in the main, realise just how privileged we are to have art this good decorating our streets.
Smak, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
On the left of the wall is a magnifcent oriental style leopard in rampant attitude rather menacingly advancing towards a poor unsuspecting child.
Smak, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
This is one of the finest character pieces I have seen by Smak, and it seems that he is planing on doing more, which is great news.
Smak and Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
The whole collaboration is set on a grey background and shares a general colour palette of greys, reds and yellows.
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
To the right of the wall we are spoiled by a magnificent story from Sled One, where a crane is delivering a little baby suspended in a cloth from its beak. It looks like the baby is prepared to take on the leopard as it is armed with a samurai sword and is wearing a mask. Even the red decorations on the grey patches of the piece ooze class.
Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019
This is not the first time that Sled One has incorporated a samurai into his work and is would appear to be a theme he enjoys. This is a world-class collaboration that we in Bristol are lucky to have and I thoroughly recommend that anyone living in Bristol makes a detour to Nelson Street to see it if planning a shopping trip to the centre.
When these two get together, it is always a recipe for something interesting, rarely missing the mark. Sled One and Smak have collaborated on this wall before at least once and possibly many times, but this is an absolute peach.
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019
The two have used a McDonald’s theme for this collaboration, using the corporate colours of the food giant. I confess that I find it a slightly curious brand to celebrate, but that is my snobby bias coming into play, which I am not particularly proud of. Sled One has incorporated some fries and bubbling cheese into his writing which is utterly sharp and brilliant.
Smak, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019
Smak takes the fun a little further with a little slogan ‘the big Smak and cheese’… very droll. Again, this is a supreme piece of writing, so sharp and clean. A great coming together of ASK and RAW. I rather like the bicycle, which I had to keep moving out of the way, but it kind of goes well with the yellow of the piece. So good.
Sled One has absolutely smashed it with this extraordinarily brilliant piece of graffiti writing on the new hoardings at the bottom end of Lower Ashley Road. Sadly, the developers have already placed batten squares all over the hoardings in preparation for advertising posters (I guess). How sad that our world is dominated by consumerism and money. These boards were a creative outlet for Bristol street artists to share their art with fellow citizens. Instead, drivers will have to endure seedy adverts desperately thrusting lifestyle aspirations at us in an attempt to sell their grubby products to swell their shareholders wallets. Capitalism is driving everything towards the lowest common denominator of money. No wonder the world is in a mess.
Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019
Back to the art and the joy it can bring to our hearts. Sled One is one of the artists I rate most highly in Bristol and this piece (which spells out SLED) is a fine example of his work. He had to paint this in two sessions as he was ‘moved on’ I think when he was sketching it out. Thank goodness he had the perseverance to come back and finish it off. I hope the artists find a way of keeping these hoardings alive, but I fear it could be difficult.
Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2024Sled One, Greville Smyth Park, Upfest 24, Bristol, May 2024Sled One, Coach and Horses, Bristol, March 2024Sled One, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023Sled One, Cumberland Bain, Bristol, October 2023Sled One, M32 roundbout, Bristol, August 2023Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 20233Dom and Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, April 2023Sled One, Lighthouse Community Garden, London, April 2023Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2023Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023Sled One, North Street, Bristol, January 2023Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022Sled One, Brook Road, Bristol, November 2022Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2022Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2022Sled One, Elton Street, Bristol, September 2022Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, July 2022Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, May 2022Sled One, The Carriageworks, Bristol, May 2022Sepr and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristtol, April 2022Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, April 2022Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, March 2022Sled One, Sparke Evans Park, Bristol, January 2022Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, January 2021Ments and Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2021Sled One, North Street, Bristol, December 2021, Upfest 21,Sled One, Greenbank, Bristol, September 2021Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, May 2021Sled One, St George, Bristol, April 2021Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2021Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, February 2021Sled One, Picton Lane, Bristol, January 2021Smak and Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, January 2021Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, December 2020Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, November 2020Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2020Smak, Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020Curtis Hylton, Ments and Sled One, Clift House Road, Bristol, October 2020Sled One, John Street, Bristol, September 2020Sled One, M32 Spot, Bristol, September 2020Tom Miller, Smak and Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020Sled One, Nova Scotia, Bristol, July 2020Sled One, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2020Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2020Sled One, Cattle Market Road, Bristol, June 2020Sled One, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018Sled One, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020Sled One and Ments, Star and Garter, Bristol, March 2020Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020Sled One, Turbo Island, Bristol, February 2020Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, January 2020Sled One, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, October 2019Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, October 2019Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, October 20193 Dom and Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2019Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2019Sled One, L Dub, Bristol, July 2019Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, February 2019Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2018Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019Sled One, Nelson Street, Bristol, March 2019Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, February 2019Sled One, Lower Ashley Road, Bristol, January 2019Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, December 2018Sled One, Thomas Street, Bristol, October 2018Sled One, Brunel Way Bridge, Bristol, September 2018Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018Sled One and Smak, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2016Sled One, Raleigh Road, Bristol, January 2018Sled One, Brunel Way, Bristol, November 2017Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2017Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2017Sled One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017Sled One and Epok, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017Sled One and Smak, Dean Lane, Bristol, January 2016Sled One, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, July 2017Sled One, St Werburghs Tunnel, Bristol, June 2017Sled One, M32 roundabout Bristol, June 2017Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, April 2017Sled One, Magdalene Place, Bristol, December 2016Ments, Sled One, Epok, Peal, Meds, Wilder Street, Bristol, February 2017Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, February 2017SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, September 2016SledOne, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, December 2016Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2016Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2016Sled One and Epok, Armada Place, Bristol, June 2016Sled One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2016Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, June 2016Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, October 2016Sled One, M32, Bristol, July 2016Sled One, Moon Street, Bristol, August 2016Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016Sled One, Upper York Street, Bristol, August 2016Sled One, The Bearpit, Bristol, April 2016Sled One, M32 Roundabout,Bristol, June 2016SledOne, Unity Street, Bristol, June 2016Sled One, St Werberghs, Bristol, May 2016Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015Sled One, Armada Place, Bristol, April 2016Sled One, Ashley Road, Bristol, 15 April 2016Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, November 2015Sled One, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
There are not enough great words to describe the work of Sled One. One after another he turns out the most incredible pieces that explode with colour and imagination. I have noticed that often his compositions are amalgamations of bits of ideas that all come together to create a magnificent whole.
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
This piece is quite extraordinary, pulling together bird parts to form a bird skull/head stuffed with leaves and plants. Another bird wing and beak juts out of the back of the head – I am not sure what is happening there.
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2019
The whole piece, although adorned with a cartoon smile and glint in the eyes, also for me has a darker side, but I can’t put my finger on why that might be. Even his signature is classy, a pink neon moniker a la Voyder. So Good.
In my view, Sled One is the most inventive and creative artist working on the streets of Bristol at the moment, and this piece is an absolute master class. Sandwiched between writing from SMAK and Ments, this character piece acts as a focal point for this curated wall.
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, December 2018
Many of Sled One’s pieces feature cat and mouse antics, and this one is a great example. The cat, a Samurai cat, is wearing a most glorious helmet onto which a mouse is clinging for dear life. I don’t know what it all means, but it is a visual marvel and so beautifully painted.
Smak, Sled One and Ments, Wilder Street, Bristol, December 2018
I love seeing Sled One’s work, but sadly it seems to be quite a rare occurrence these days. So, so good.
They really don’t come any better than Sled One. His bizarre creations have a dream-like cartoon style to them, but it is the immaculate execution of his work that is most notable. His lines and shading as well as extraordinary textures, for example the banana in this piece, seem to flow effortlessly from his spray can. It would be impressive enough if this piece were created with paint brushes…it is a small miracle with spray cans.
Sled One, Thomas Street, Bristol, October 2018
The element of humour also must not be overlooked and although a little gory, the concept of a banana slipping over on a human is a funny one. The little finger skateboard is a little nod to Sled One’s other passion which is skateboarding, and his Facebook stream has several videos of his skills for all to see. The piece is exquisite.
The permission to paint the hoardings was arranged by Where the Wall who offer street art tours around Bristol.
It has been a long while since I last posted a piece by the extraordinarily talented Sled One, so it was great to come across this piece in the Cumberland Basin a week or so back. The wall itself is always tricky to photograph because there is a lot of glare that streams across it – this may be an artifact of the time of day I usually visit this wall.
Sled One, Brunel Way Bridge, Bristol, September 2018
I will not pretend that I have anything other than utmost admiration for the work of Sled One – his fantastical creations are the stuff of cartoons and surrealism combined. Add to that potent mix a technical gift and you have some of the best artwork being produced in Bristol at this moment in time.
Sled One, Brunel Way Bridge, Bristol, September 2018
Earlier in the year I met Sled One a couple of times, and it turns out he lives on my road (although I think he travels around a lot too, originally coming from York (I think)). On his Instagram account he labels this piece as a self-portrait. I guess he is fond of Nike shoes! He says it started as an ASK (the crew he belongs to) piece, but that it ended up elsewhere. I can’t read ASK concealed anywhere in the illustration. Fabulous work.
This is a not-quite-finished piece from the magnificent Sled One, and it was his contribution to the ASK paint jam at the M32 roundabout. He was actually a day late, because he had had a hangover the day of the paint jam and didn’t feel like painting – so these guys are human after all.
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
I am always completely amazed at how Sled One seems to be so at ease with his cans, he seems to create his work with the minimum of fuss and is able to put ehat is in hes head onto a wall. He is comfortable with both writing and creating fantastical characters, and is a real asset to The Paintsmiths, who he works for.
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
This piece, even incomplete, looks stunning and I will have to go back to get a finished picture.
Last week I was cutting the lower branches and shoots off a lime tree that lines the road where I live – the council used to do it but have no money for such things any more – so that I could park the car without smearing it with aphids and get out of it without walking into a jungle. Anyhow, I digress, while I was pruning, I looked up and saw Sled One. We stopped for a chat, and it turns out he lives only a few doors up from me…I can’t believe that we haven’t bumped into each other before.