The last time I posted about this spot, it was decorated with a collaboration between E.Lee and Copyright. Shortly after I blogged about the piece, it had been replaced by this Soker piece.
Soker, North Street, Bristol, June 2016
I rather like this simple burner by Soker. It is colourful, beautifully crafted and in some way humorous…I can’t quite put my finger on why though. Maybe it is the light fixture in the middle. I don’t know. I know that I like it though. I expect it has been over-painted by now though.
Well, well, well. It is difficult to know what to say about this triptych other than, in Bristol street art terms, it is close to perfect. The collaborators are Deamze, Voyder and Soker, who I think quite often work together like this – I have an old post from Midland Street in which they collaborated with spectacular results.
This is big and eye-catching but I didn’t know it was here; it caught my eye as I was driving past on 11 June 2016. Sometimes you find a piece that just makes you happy. This was one of those finds.
Each part of the collaboration is beautifully worked, and all three artists are extremely accomplished. I will cease with the words and simply allow you to feast your eyes on the images below. Enjoy.
Deamze, Lawfords Gate, Bristol, June 2016Deamze, Lawfords Gate, Bristol, June 2016Voyder, Lawfords Gate, Bristol, June 2016Voyder, Lawfords Gate, Bristol, June 2016Soker, Lawfords Gate, Bristol, June 2016Soker, Lawfords Gate, Bristol, June 2016
It is rewarding to know that these pages occasionally get read by people who are able to help me with identification and clarification. One such intervention was made recently by a blogger (with no site) called Norman. The information he gave me has enabled me to post this piece, which I have been sitting on since March 2016.
Soker, Midland Street, Bristol, March 2016
Norman posted a comment on my blog about this amazing piece by Deamze which is on the wall adjacent to this one. He said that the piece next to Deamze was by Soker (Sokem). But it is not that straightforward, this piece is actually not only in orbnate wildstyle, but also an anagram of Sokem – Omske. Now, of course it is obvious!
Soker, Midland Street, Bristol, March 2016
These two pieces together (Deamze and Soker) are amongst my favourite of the year. Soker is a master of wildstyle writing in Bristol, and this is an exceptional work. I love the character smoking a joint – he looks like something out of a kids adventure cartoon. I have Norman to thank in being able, at last, to share it with you.
The concrete surrounding structure of the M32 roundabout between St Pauls and Easton lends itself very well to wildstyle work. There is not a great deal of height, but plenty of width, and therefore it is a bit of a magnet for wildstyle specialists. Soker is at the top of his game and producing some wonderful work. This is a recent example which I photographed in March.
Soker, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2106
I’m not sure why his work spells out Sokem and not Soker – maybe someday somebody will tell me. It seems to be a thing though with many wildstyle writers.
Soker, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2106
The colours and shapes on this work really well, and there were many accompanying pieces adjacent to this one…for later posts.
This picture was taken in October 2015, and the wall has since been refreshed by Deamze, and featured here a few weeks ago. It has taken me a while to work out who this fine triptych was by; I think I have it now.
Voyder and Soker, Midland Street, Bristol, October 2015
The face in the centre is by Voyder, a sensationally good street artist in Bristol, and it really draws the viewer in. It looks like the left hand side wildstyle is by Soker, although I cannot be certain.
Voyder and Deamze, Midland Street, Bristol, October 2015
The right hand side is by Deamze I think. The three elements together have a lovely symmetry, but for me the face wearing ski goggles? wins the day for me. I’m glad I captured it before it disappeared.
A beautiful sunny day in November 2015 treated me to some fabulous walls that still sustain me now. This is a well worked collaboration by Feek and Soker on the side of the Manor Scrap Company, and opposite the playgrounds of the Hannah Moore Primary School. It also appears that Deamze might have had a hand in this too.
Feek and Soker, Jubilee Street, Bristol, November 2015
The characters either side of the wildstyle are by Feek, and you can read the lettering ‘Sokem’ by Soker. I don’t yet know why all his wildstyle burners say Sokem and not Soker. I guess it is a bit like Deamze writing Deam, Deams or Deamze…they probably do it because they can.
Feek and Soker, Jubilee Street, Bristol, November 2015
I like the slightly unsettling clown and bumper car rider in this piece…there is something menacing about them. Probably not ideal opposite a school, but hey, that’s how it is.
Following on seamlessly from from post 165 you can see that the PRSC outdoor gallery in now occupied by Soker and 3Dom.
3Dom, Jamaica Street, Bristol, March 2016
There is a lovely thread of vapour that joins the two pieces coming from the mouth of the curious 3Dom creature on the right (when ever was a 3Dom piece not curious?) and weaving around the Soker burner.
Soker, Jamaica Street, Bristol, March 2016
I love these collaborations that bring together wildstyle burners with more conventional art pieces – more will follow.
I took this picture on a sunny day back in September 2015. This wall is a collaboration between Soker and Cheo, each with their own distinct style. Soker and his wildstyle burner and Cheo spraying a cartoon and the signature bee.
Soker and Cheo, New John Street, Bristol, September 2015
I would guess that Cheo’s work is a selfie of the two of them, but this is only a guess.
Soker and Cheo, New John Street, Bristol, September 2015
This is my second attempt at publishing this post…something horrible happened and the draft I saved completely disappeared.
Soker is a Bristol-based graffiti writer who has been active since the 1980s and is well known for his work all around the city. He specialises in wildstyle burners and is not much bothered with making money from his works.
Soker, New John Street, Bristol
This wall is sited just off North Street, the main hub of Upfest 2015. Soker belongs to the ASK crew and KTF (After School Klub and Keeping Things Fresh respectively).
Soker, New John Street, Bristol
I am beginning to appreciate more these wildstyle murals, and will feature them more in my posts.