2658. M32 roundabout J3 (184)

It has been a very long time since I last posted a piece by Thelocknessmonster mainly because, if I’m completely honest, I don’t think his work has been as good recently as it has been in the past. This piece down on the M32 roundabout is the first that I have really liked in ages and in my view, he seems to be getting his mojo back.

Thelocknessmonster, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019
Thelocknessmonster, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2019

The style is really unusual, composed mainly of cartoon-like line drawings that come together to tell a story although it is often difficult to be sure what the story is. Thelocknessmonster will often use motifs and symbols such as statues and shapes. He signs his pieces with the word ‘Egotist’ and often includes ‘Splab Lads’ or ‘Splab Gang’ which I think is a crew, but I don’t yet know any other members of the crew.

Always imaginative and creative and deliberately different Thelocknessmonster occupies his own special place in the Bristol street art scene.

994. Armada Place (12)

Looking back a little to July, I came across this weird and wonderful piece from Thelochnessmonster tucked away on the long-term hoardings in Armada Place – a favourite haunt of this particular graffiti artist.

Thelochnessmonster, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2017
Thelochnessmonster, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2017

As with all his pieces, there is quite a lot of symbolism, much of which is quite mysterious. I’m not entirely sure what the spheres being held by the monster’s tentacles actually represent, but they are important to the piece as a whole.

Thelochnessmonster, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2017
Thelochnessmonster, Armada Place, Bristol, July 2017

Thelochnessmonster has such a distinctive style, and one that is very different from any of the other artists on the Bristol scene. I think the best word to describe his work is ‘organic’, it is a far cry from the highly geometric/designed pieces that we see more frequently in the city. Another interesting piece.