Tag: Street art

3270. M32 Cycle path (81)

Ah deep joy. Where would we be without these Pirate Wall Art (PWA) compatriots decorating our streets? What I like about collaborations betweeen Soap and Face 1st (apart from the obvious) is that they simply appear, unannounced and often unInstagrammed (if that is a word), so finding them is usually a pleasant surprise.

Face 1st and Soap, M32 cycle path, Bristol, September 2020
Face 1st and Soap, M32 cycle path, Bristol, September 2020

The piece is quite small when compared to some of their collaborations but is typically full of optimism, life and fun. On the left, is a trademark megatag mouth from Soap ond on the right two faces from Face 1st, each sporting lettered hair FA and CE respectively. Let’s hear it for these pirate heroes…

3269. St Werburghs Tunnel (201)

Not a month goes by without a cheerful (and sometimes not so cheerful) piece from Face 1st. Today, I am going to treat you to two pieces by this prolific artist of which this is the first. Deep in St Werberghs tunnel, where there is limited natural daylight is this classic Face 1st Face.

Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2020
Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2020

The laughing girl whose hair is made up of the letters FACE, is a fine chrome piece that works quite well in the twighlight of the tunnel. It looks to me like Daz Cat has added in a little speech bubble with DAZ C in it. I think that is a bit of tagging fun which is allowed betwen artists. A standard Face 1st piece for all to enjoy.

3268. Dean Lane skate park (359)

It seems that everywhere I look in Bristol I am coming across new pieces by Bristol newcomer Mudra, and a most pleasurable experience it is too. Incoming artists and new artists keep the whole scene nice and fresh and add to the extraordinary diversity of art in the city.

Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020
Mudra, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020

When I first spotted this one in Dean Lane, I wasn’t too sure who it was by, and guessed it must be from a visiting artist, but then I saw the @ with a hat signature and the penny dropped that this was so obviously a Mudra piece. I guess the letters spelling Mudra and the signature ‘Mudra’ ought to have indicated who the artist was, but it is all about familiarity and context. The piece has some lovely colour combinations and unusual letter shapes. I reckon this would have made a superb 1970s album cover, it has that kind of feel about it. Great work and so much more to share with you.

3267. M32 Cycle path (80)

I am increasingly being drawn to the conclusion that Whos is the same artist as Alos, and if that is not the case, then they hang out together a lot and share a style. So here is a dilemma for me. Do I aggregate all their pieces under one name or do I wait for some kind of certainty and continue to treat them as separate artists until I know better.

Well, I had a little bit of luck half way through writing this… I had an unplanned meeting with Paul in the St Werburghs tunnel and he confirmed for me that they are indeed two separate artists, and that’s that.

Whos, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2020
Whos, M32 cycle path, Bristol, October 2020

I rather like this one from Whos, and consistent with most of his work it painted with only a few colours which gives it a simplicity and honesty. I particularly like the way he sprays the ridged running through the centre of each letter. Unusual but great to see.

3266. Dean Lane skate park (358)

Taboo has been busy again, this time with an uncharacteristically colourful piece in Dean Lane skate park. As with most Taboo pieces, this one is a graffiti writing and character combination and is certainly eye catching.

Taboo, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020
Taboo, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020

The letters are unruly as always, not following any strict code of script, rather they appear to be crafted on-the-hoof in an organic creative outpouring. The colours and fills are to be admired and the whole thing is really rather attractive.

Taboo, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020
Taboo, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020

Of course, the eye is drawn to the Popeye Character flipping open a tin of spinach, that rather surprisingly has spewed out a train, arcing over his head. What the f…? Whenever I look at pieces by Taboo, I am drawn into a deeply surreal place where anything is possible. This one is a classic.

3265. Brunel Way bridge (66)

I must admit to being very taken by this piece on the wall facing the river, and I have absolutely no idea who the artist is. If I find out at any time I will add the name in because I don’t like posting pieces by unknown artists, but sometimes they are just too good to leave in the archive.

Artist unknown, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2020
Artist unknown, Brunel Way, Bristol, October 2020

To me the whole thing simply screams out Matisse with perhaps a touch of Miro, maybe Chagall and is worthy of hanging in any fine art gallery, but is also worthy of a wider reach and audience alongside the Bristol Avon. A lovely piece of abstract street art.

3264. Dean Lane skate park (357)

It is truly great to see that Dibz and Shade One seem to be collaborating rather a lot at the moment, and they have absolutely knocked it out of the (skate) park with this recent piece in Dean Lane.

Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020
Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020

The face is by Shade One and to me represents a great example of a crossover of old school/new school, and what I mean by that is that there are some lines, for example the eyebrows that are quite angular and remind me of old New York style graffiti characters, but the blue frame, bubbles and decoration are much more contemporary in style.

Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020
Dibz, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2020

As ever the graffiti writing from Dibz is outstanding, and the sharp clean lines with a complex colour scheme so expertly done demonstrate clearly why Dibz is simply one of the best graffiti writers around. The red object to the right of the piece I believe is a butt plug (although I might be mistaken) and was not part of the original collaboration, unfortunately it doesn’t add much to the piece in my opinion, and is ever so slightly annoying.

3263. M32 Spot (86)

Woah there, steady… A column piece under the M32, who can it possibly be by? Zake of course, but unlike any Zake piece I have seen before. This piece feels like the artist has stepped up a level, having a depth and texture unlike any of his previous pieces, although there have been signs of continuous improvement.

Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2020
Zake, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2020

The face (of course a face) is quite scary with bright teeth and a disturbing expression and the whole column certainly stands out. What I like most is that the piece is full of texture and folds, with light and dark and I think that Zake has really nailed it. I am totally annoyed though by the sticker over one of the eyes… I guess these things happen. Looking forward to more from Zake.

3262. M32 Spot (85)

I have said it before and will repeat myself. I love this modest board underneath the M32. Turnover is quite slow, maybe one new piece a month and the quality of work here is usually pretty good, and that fine tradition continues with this zany collaboration from Kid Crayon and I Am Ian

Kid Crayon, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2020
Kid Crayon, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2020

I can’t begin to know what the story is in this piece and I will not attempt to unravel it, but it is full of fun and colour. On the left is a male head sporting a rather nice paper hat with a blue and white flag. All around the face are swords firmly planted in the blue substrate. The words between the two heads say Cloth Mother – I don’t know wat that is, maybe their crew name.

I Am Ian, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2020
I Am Ian, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2020

On the right is a face from I Am Ian, one that has ben severed from its body, presumably by one of the many swords. The character has horns and might be satan, but I’ll not guess any further because I said I wouldn’t try to unravel the collaboration. Instead I will sit back and enjoy it. Crazy people, crazy piece.

3261. New Stadium Road (26)

I have quite a few photographs of work by Todoaciem, but I haven’t posted many, maybe only one before. There are several writers in Bristol at the moment whose letters follow more of a calligraphy style, with regular shapes and details, including Stivs. I don’t know if it is a fashion or something longer-lasting. It is great to see though and this is a great example of the style.

Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, September 2020
Todoaciem, New Stadium Road, Bristol, September 2020

The piece looks almost like a heraldic banner, especially with the letter E? picked out with red in the middle. I have tried to decypher the lettering, but just can’t quite see it. More to come from Todoaciem soon.