Tag: St Werburghs

2755. St Werburghs tunnel (143)

Yay, let’s hear it for the boys whose recent collaboration in the tunnel is full of happiness, music and soul. Last year, Face 1st and Soap went through a period of not collaborating for whatever reason, but they seem unstoppable just now with several walls that this pair have painted already this year.

Face 1st and Soap, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
Face 1st and Soap, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020

On the left of the piece is a nice piece of writing from Face 1st with a beautifully worked horizontal gradation through his lettering and a decent 3D effect using a vanishing point underneath. On the right is a cheerful mariachi singer surrounding the whole collaboration with happy notes from his guitar. I’m not too sure if Soap has ever actually played a guitar, but the left hand is gripping the neck in a rather awkward upside-down position. Overall a wonderful and joyful piece.

2746. St Werburghs tunnel (142)

The year is yet young, but already I have seen a feast of outstanding individual works and collaborations in Bristol – I am beginning to think this might be a great year for street art switching up a level. This amazing collaboration between Dasco and Oseque is a great example of the quality of work on display.

Dasco, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
Dasco, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020

On the left, the writing from Dasco is simply sublime. I can’t believe that I have only recently registered his work, and must go through my archives to see if I can unearth some of his older stuff. Everything here is sheer perfection from the rectangular frame to the design, carefully considered shades and tones to the sensational execution. This is as good a piece of writing that I have seen so far this year, and probably a lot longer.

Oseque, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
Oseque, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020

I am not familiar with the work of Oseque, and I am not sure, but I think he might be visiting. I know that there is a new collaboration from these two in Dean Lane, but I just haven’t had time to go and take a gander. Maybe tomorrow. In the meantime just feast your eyes on this beauty – it is amazinng how a piece like this on a grubby wall in St Werburghs tunnel can look like the very best of canvasses in a studio or gallery. Even the graffiti beneath the protrait seeping through seems to add to the quality of the piece overall. Magnificent work.

2740. St Werburghs tunnel (141)

It is not too often that you get to see a piece by Gage Graphics that is not a commission or a festival work, so this recent stunner in St Werburghs tunnel is something of a rarity. Featuring writing and a character, it is a real beauty and was a nice surprise when I came across it last week.

Gage Graphics, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
Gage Graphics, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020

The writing says serif (I wonder if it is in anyway related to the typeface) and is expertly painted, with some nice arrows incorporated too. I suspect that Biers (who has other names) would definitely approve of the horse/donkey braying ‘ooohhhyyyeeeaaahhh’. A real treat.

Gage Graphics, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
Gage Graphics, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020

2739. St Werburghs tunnel (140)

Walking the dog one lunchtime a few weeks ago I was lucky enough to meet two lovely artists busy at work at the farm end of St Werburghs tunnel. I recognised the work of Morny instantly, his naive style is both eye-catching and compelling, so I went and introduced myself. I was touched that he seemed to know about my Instagram/Twitter accounts, but I don’t know if he has ventured as far as Natural Adventures just yet. He introduced me to his painting partner Billy, who was painting a bright and colourful mural to his right.

Morny and Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Morny and Billy, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020

I’m glad I took these WIP (Work in Progress) shots because when I returned a couple of days later to take pictures of the finished wall, it had been painted over. I cringed a little, because I told them that turnover on this particular wall was quite slow and that their work would be there for a while. Just shows what I know huh? Billy’s work reminds me a little of Zoe Power’s, because of its simple form and colourful fills. I do hope she isn’t put off by the rapidity of the disappearance of her piece and that she paints more walls this year.

Morny, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Morny, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020

There was one remaining part of Morny’s piece that survived for my return, but it only really hints at what had been there. Such a pity. I guess it is impossible to be everywhere all the time.

2724. St Werburghs tunnel (139)

This was the central part of a recent three-way collaboration in St Werburghs tunnel by DNT. Fellow collaborators were Mr Klue to the left and Mr Sleven to the right. This was a collaboration in the sense that the three were painting together, but each of the paintings was discrete from the others.

DNT, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
DNT, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020

DNT is an interesting artist who has a reasonably identifiable style, but his subject matter is ecclectic to say the least. He is creative and imaginative and has produced a number of these organic robot types of pieces before and I have to say I rather like them. I’m not quite sure what this robot is all about, but he seems to be quite busy.

2720. St Werburghs tunnel (138)

In one of his favourite spots, Mr Klue has painted this bright and breezy piece as part of a 64 Dot Com collaboration with DNT and Mr Sleven. In this more than in other pieces you can see the letters KLUE if you look carefully, with the U and E being especially clear.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020

The abstract style so unique to this artist is soft and ephemeral and like a cloud looks like it might evaporate altogether at the slightest gust of wind. In this piece there is a return of some steps, a feature I always like in his work. Capping off the whole thing is a halo in yellow, which adds a touch of humour. A lovely piece.

2715. St Werburghs tunnel (137)

It took me a while to get a clean shot of this wonderful piece by Subtle because on my first two visits there were cars parked immediately in front of it. I ask you… cars parking in the tunnel! what is the world coming to?

Subtle, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Subtle, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020

Anyhow on my third visit I managed to get some nice shots, although as always, the artificial light played havoc with my camera settings and I had to do a little bit of post-production work to try and convey the true magnificence of of the piece.

Subtle, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Subtle, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020

I understand Subtle has had a lay-off from painting walls following an accident, but he is well now which is great news, and he appears to be painting like there was no tomorrow. Two things I particularly like about this one is the skull and the drips, both beautifully crafted and enhancing the piece enormously. More to come.

2714. St Werburghs tunnel (136)

I don’t think I feature enough of Ryder’s work on Natural Adventures – there is no obvious reason for it, I guess the same could be said for any number of Bristol artists. I would think that for every piece that I post here there are probably two or three that never make it.

Ryder, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Ryder, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020

This particular offering is a simple chrome graffiti piece with trademark faces worked into the lettering. The chrome colour in the tunnel picks up all sorts of light bouncing around and it is difficult to believe the artist hasn’t used more than one colour. Altogether a nice one from one of Bristol’s best.

2709. St Werburghs tunnel (135)

I have mentioned before that until relatively recently Turoe One has been a little off my radar, but that situation is being rectified. I am puzzled though, has my blind spot been because I simply didn’t see his work, or has he been much more active on the streets over the last six months or so? Either way, I am enjoying his work.

Turoe One, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Turoe One, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020

This recent piece in the tunnel carries all the hallmarks of a confident and experienced artist at ease with his skills. Great letter shapes, colour selections and fills, and although not my favourite piece by Turoe One, it is an accomplished work.

2704. St Werburghs tunnel (134)

Pre postscript- sometimes you can get things so wrong, and try to read more into a piece than is going on. Everything below is my own speculation and assumptions going into overdrive. The word is XODUS and not FOIS. It was painted opposite Kleiner Shames and Subtle hence the recognition. I’m not sure who XODUS is, but I feel a bit stoopid. Never mind, I don’t expect anyone will read this nonsense anyway…

Aah, the genius of two brilliant artists conjuring up this amazing and highly unusual piece. It would seem that a Kleiner Shames visited Bristol over the Christmas period and hooked up with his old mate Subtle. The pair both produced pieces in the St Werburghs tunnel, and obviously had a bit of time left over to turn out this stunner.

Kleiner Shames and Subtle, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020
Kleiner Shames and Subtle, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2020

Signed FoiSubtle, the collaboration presents with two distinct styles. My guess is that the letters FOIS are by Kleiner Shames, he always writes these letters but never quite like this, and the characters, a wolf holding a rabbit by the ears are by Subtle, in a bit of a departure from his writing. There is a message on the piece written backwards that says ‘one tin wonders’. I would think this refers to the two colours (plus black) that were used for the piece.

I cannot tell you how much I love this. It is quirky and retro, the characters look like early Disney creations. As I always say when Kleiner Shames comes to town, come back soon.