Tag: Stencil

1419. Shoreditch, London (5)

The first time I saw work by Unify was when my wife had spotted a piece in Cotham, Bristol next to a Nick Walker ‘Vandal’ piece on the wall of the Highbury Vaults. At that time I had no idea the artist was based in London. How much I wish he would return to Bristol and leave us some of his spectacular stencil pieces.

Unify, Shoreditch, London, February 2018
Unify, Shoreditch, London, February 2018

His pieces tend to be quite small, and often in a portrait orientation…maybe it is the way he likes to cut his stencils. I love this teddy with a balloon composed of ‘unify’ tags, something a little sad and also happy occurring. Another thing about tjhis artist is his eye for selectingh great walls. This one is pretty much perfect.

1417. The Bearpit (129)

I recently found out, from reading an interview with John D’oh, that he tends to create these single layer political stencils for places like The Bearpit, where their lifespan may at times be only a day or two. His more complex multi-layered work is reserved for walls where longevity is more likely…an utterly understandable position.

John D'oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, February 2018
John D’oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, February 2018

This piece is highly critical of Theresa May and the growing problem of homelessness and rough sleeping that is plaguing towns and cities across the UK. I really like the work he does and the way he uses his art to express political ideas. Much of his artwork tends to encourage ‘embellishment’ from passers by, and this one is no exception. The ‘cock and balls’ motif being put to good use.

Keep it going John D’oh.

1376. Dean Lane skate park (113)

I am doing another trawl through my archives and pulling out artworks that I think are worthy of posting, but for one reason or another got left behind. This piece by Drew Copus from 2016 features a naked woman (quite an unusual sight in Bristol street art) covered in his trademark insects.

Drew Copus, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2016
Drew Copus, Dean Lane, Bristol, April 2016

This is a fine stencil piece which is slightly worn down by skateboard traffic. Right next to the piece, you can see the last three letters of ‘seismic’ which is the work of Jee See, and these two have collaborated in Dean Lane skate park more recently. I am rather fond of this piece – edgy and urban.

1337. The Bearpit (120)

Situated at the end of one of The Bearpit tunnels is a nice wall, which recently has been a bit of a mess. Because of this, it is easy to miss this small piece in one corner of the wall. It is a rather nice stencil of a panda carrying a boogie box (does that date me?) on his shoulder by Bristol-based artist J. West.

J. West, The Bearpit, Bristol, February 2018
J. West, The Bearpit, Bristol, February 2018

I have not seen an awful lot of his work on the streets, but what little I have seen I like. I have said it many times before, but it is so worth keeping your eyes open and seeing what is around you…you never know you might just come across a boogie box panda.

J. West, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2017
J. West, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2017

1330. M32 Spot (13)

I took a rather more extensive walk than I usually do around the M32 Spot recently, and found some walls and artwork I have not been aware of before, which goes to show that it is always worth looking round that next corner or through that next underpass.

Kin Dose, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Kin Dose, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018

This is a lovely stencil piece from Kin Dose, whose work occasionally appears on the  streets of  Bristol and never fails to grab your attention. His owl is on one of the columns under the M32, and probably goes unnoticed by many who are marching head down crossing from one side of the motorway to the other.

Kin Dose, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018
Kin Dose, M32 Spot, Bristol, February 2018

Other amazing work by Kin Dose includes a scary clown and cat, both of which were painted at the Carriageworks in Stokes Croft.

Dose, Stokes Croft, Bristol, June 2016
Dose, Stokes Croft, Bristol, June 2016
Dose?, Stokes Croft, Bristol, October 2016
Dose?, Stokes Croft, Bristol, October 2016

1296. Upfest 2017 (130)

John.Dot.S comes from Romania and sprays these figures dressed in aluminium. Often he includes an environmental theme, or encourages the viewer to see the piece and live in the moment. CCTV cameras are a popular motif or emblem for street artists and often represents a healthy dislike of overbearing societies, of ‘big brother’ states.

John.Dot.S, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
John.Dot.S, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

This is a beautifully executed work which I believe is a stencil in greyscale. It is rekarkable how many greyscale pieces there were at this year’s festival. A fine fine piece from an artist I have not seen before. It would be good to see a return visit from him this year.

1294. Upfest 2017 (128)

There is no way that these photographs do this extraordinary multi-layer stencil justice. The subtle layering and shading in the piece are so skilfully prepared and executed. This is a technical marvel by a lovely artist called P0G0 who produced one of the most memorable pieces of Upfest 2017.

P0G0, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
P0G0, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

The greyscale piece is offset by the scarlet fingernails of the subject and to finish the piece off P0G0 has added some hexagons in pastel shades…again in contrast with the rest of the piece.

P0G0, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
P0G0, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

P0G0 is one of the true gentlemen of the street art world, a warm and humble fellow who was happy to chat for a long while and who agreed to do an interview with me. Because his written English is not too good, he said he would be happier to do a face-to-face interview, but the logistics of doing so are tricky. So maybe a telephone interview would be best or perhaps I can grab him for half an hour if he makes it to Upfest 2018. A memorable piece and artist.

1269. Camden Town van (1)

On a trip to Camden Town in November 2017 I took a very long stroll around the area part of which took in this backstreet where market sellers parked up their vans. This being Camden Town I guess it should have come as no surprise that the vans would have been finely decorated by London street artists.

Himbad and Dotmaster, Camden Town, London, November 2017
Himbad and Dotmaster, Camden Town, London, November 2017

This van played host to Himbad and Dotmaster whose collaboration works beautifully as Dotmaster’s stencilled children pull back covers to reveal a cutely frightening Himbad monster and host of monster eyes. I really love this piece and would love to see both of these artists make a trip to Bristol. One day maybe.

1242. The Bearpit (114)

I love this. Here we see John D’oh at his most hard-hitting, exposing two of the easiest targets on earth and keeping the debate alive. Never one to hide from political comment, he produces topical pieces with alarming speed, unlike me who seems to take an eternity to publish posts.

John D'oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, December 2017
John D’oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, December 2017

These single layer stencils are part of the furniture in The Bearpit and in other parts of Bristol, and John D’oh a permanent presence, reminding us to search our conscience and get fired up. So much more to come.

1223. The Bearpit (113)

Back in October 2017, John D’oh had a lot of fun spraying a whole load of stencils in The Bearpit. This was one that he seemed to be particularly fond of.

John D'oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
John D’oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017

It would appear to be a homage to ‘Where the Wall’, a Bristol company that offers street art tours, wall curation and graffiti experiences. This would seem to be a genuine tribute, but with a history of cynicism towards and lampooning of the establishment, one can never be too sure with John D’oh.

John D'oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
John D’oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017

As a group, these stencils take on quite a dynamic colourful feel and it is interesting to see how different they look on different backgrounds. John D’oh has been very busy this winter and long may it continue.

John D'oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
John D’oh, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017