Tag: Street art

2164. M32 Cycle path (23)

I got really lucky with this one, I was doing a bit of an evening tour of favourite street art areas, and stopped at the M32 spot. I almost couldn’t be bothered to walk along the M32 cycle path, because I had been there quite recently, but something made me go and take a look anyway. Who should I find but Nightwayss, finishing off this striking and rather brilliant piece.

Nightwayss, M32 cycle path, Bristol, April 2019
Nightwayss, M32 cycle path, Bristol, April 2019

This was fortuitous on two counts, firstly to be able to meet the artist, who seems to be a very nice chap and secondly to be able to photograph it as a finished piece. All too often I have work in progress photographs without a final completed piece, because by the time I return it has been buffed or tagged.

Nightwayss, M32 cycle path, Bristol, April 2019
Nightwayss, M32 cycle path, Bristol, April 2019

We chatted a little about his work and I asked Nightwayss why he likes to feature monkeys in his work, he told me it was because they are quite like us so we can identify with them, which I get. There is a lot to look at and admire in this piece, which is full of detail, like the dunce cap (what is that about?) and a wrist watch around the monkey’s head. An unexpected and most welcome surprise.

2163. St Werburghs tunnel (73)

Another first, but certainly not the last from an artist who does something a little different from the usual fare we see on the streets. This framed slogan or saying is by  #DFTE, who is a Bristol-based artist who places these little gems to carefully thought out places in the City.

#DFTE, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2019
#DFTE, St Werburghs, Bristol, March 2019

If you look up at the north end of the St Werburghs tunnel, you will see this installation clinging to the bricks on the arched roof. It says ‘This is for you’, which is very nice… I guess it is a message to those who look around them and live in the now. It must have been quite a challenge getting it up there and sticking it to the ceiling, but it was utterly worth it and certainly brightened my day when I first saw it. More to come.

2162. M32 Spot (40)

Right, there is an interesting thing going on here with the work of Panskaribas, and I’m not entirely certain how it all works. I understand that when he signs the piece with his Reseau signature, it indicates that it is a collaboration, but this piece looks like his work only. I think that Reseau might be the crew he belongs to and that there are one or two others who paint with him from time to time, which would explain the mix of styles seen in some of his pieces. The members of this crew appear to draw inspiration from the Cubists and surrealists though.

Panskaribas, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2019
Panskaribas, M32 Spot, Bristol, March 2019

This is a witty piece showing one of his cartoonesque characters viewed from behind. I love the ‘Picasso’ hands and the cheeky face looking over his shoulder. Really interesting art, and so unlike anything else on the streets of Bristol at the moment.

2161. M32 roundabout J3 (139)

This brightly coloured piece by Soap looks almost good enough to eat. Lots of stuff in there that looks like delicious confections, and the trademark mouth/teeth seem to be getting stuck in.

Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2019
Soap, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2019

I have said it before about his recent work, that Soap seems to have found a new spring in his step and there is a joi de vivre in his work over the last year or so. It is great to see this, and in my view his work just seems to be getting better and better.

2160. Wilder Street (27)

A beautiful quick one by Sled One in Wilder Street. He has the incredible ability to animate whatever it is he paints, and in this case he has brought alive the word ASK (from the crew After School Klub, to which he belongs).

Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019
Sled One, Wilder Street, Bristol, April 2019

Great colours and patterns. At the time of writing this, I am aware of two more new pieces on this wall , curated by Where the Wall, which have appeared subsequently by other ASK crew members Sepr and 3Dom. Expect to see them here soon.

2159. Horfield skate park (4)

I don’t head up to Horfield skate park very often, as I consider the turnover of street art and graffiti there to be pretty low and it doesn’t seem to be a particularly favoured spot for many artists. I was delighted therefore to be rewarded on a rare trip on Good Friday with this magnificent stencil by John D’oh.

John D'oh, Horfield skate park, Bristol, April 2019
John D’oh, Horfield skate park, Bristol, April 2019

The stencil works for me so very very well. It shows the unspeakably toxic Jacob Rees-Mogg standing behind Theresa May who appears to be his ventriloquist’s dummy. Brilliantly funny but also it speaks volumes about how so many of us feel about the way the European Research Group (ERG – what kind of name is that anyway? Research? swap the word ‘research’ for ‘hating’ and you might get a sense of what they’re all about) have been holding May hostage throughout Brexit negotiations. Their hard-line and uncompromising Brexit desires, and her determination to hold the Conservative party together, mean that they have dictated the terms of the failed negotiations, along with the jaw-droppingly selfish DUP.

Rees-Mogg represents everything I dislike about self-interested politicians who do not serve their people, but rather manipulate narratives that appeal to under-represented groups. I would guess he also cares more about his income security (and growth) than he does about the pressing fate of our planet. I suspect he shares Owen Patterson’s loathing of the environmental movement that might, just might, interfere with their comfortable lives for the sake of trying to reverse the shocking state of carbon emissions and biodiversity loss.

Thank you John D’oh for giving us this fabulous visual reminder of just how disgraceful the political class (and indeed party politics in general) are in the UK.

2158. Moon Street (66)

DNT has a unique style that is difficult to describe sometimes. He has an interesting and thoughtful choice in colours in most of his work and the subject of his paintings often seem to be rather free and fluid, almost as if he created it on the spot. I’m not sure if that is how he works, but that is how it comes across to me.

DNT, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2019
DNT, Moon Street, Bristol, April 2019

This piece, on one of my favourite walls, is a striking lion’s head which kind of emerges from a background of about five strong colours. It is incredible how the face and mane stand out with all the busyness going on. While this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I am rather drawn to it. Certainly it is unusual. I met DNT for the first time last week and he seems to be a really nice guy, larger than life and interesting, and in the short conversation we had, I can certainly see where some of his creativity and difference come from.

2157. M32 Spot (40)

I spotted this one a couple of days ago while searching out some of my favourite spots. I almost drove straight past without seeing it because it is a thin bit of one way road with double yellow lines that is difficult to be observant and drive properly.  I just caught it out of the corner of my vision and parked up further on.

Face 1st, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2019
Face 1st, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2019

Ah what joy, Face 1st at his best with my favourite beautiful character. This is a large piece on a great wall which allows Face 1st to show us what he can do. The striking thing for me is the flowing pink hair that has been filled with pretty intricate patterns that give it something special. This kind of filling is a technique used by a few other Bristol artists such as Tasha Bee.

Face 1st, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2019
Face 1st, M32 Spot, Bristol, April 2019

The other obvious feature of the piece is the skull being held by the woman. I have seen this before in Face 1st’s work and must remember to ask him what it symbolises next time I see him. I love this piece and am so glad I managed to see it in such good condition.

2156. Upper York Street (14)

I love it when it happens, when an unannounced collaboration appears as if by magic. This sensational work from Smak and Hazard is one of those special pieces, and I think they have absolutely smashed it.

Smak, Upper York Street, Bristol, April 2019
Smak, Upper York Street, Bristol, April 2019

Smak has again gone for one of his double burners, where he has cleverly crafted two versions of his name into one piece. If you look carefully, there is one in blue and one in mostly orange. Such an accomplished thing to do from an artist who seems to be at the top of his game at the moment.

Hazard, Upper York Street, Bristol, April 2019
Hazard, Upper York Street, Bristol, April 2019

Then to Hazard’s fabulous frog, which I have to say has come as a huge surprise because I am more used to seeing her portrait pieces. I am a naturalist by training, and I have always had a bit of a soft spot for amphibians, especially frogs, so this piece really chimes with me.

Hazard, Upper York Street, Bristol, April 2019
Hazard, Upper York Street, Bristol, April 2019

Everything about this frog is good, the colours and the shading and the light reflecting off the body and the eye. Such an unusual piece to find on the streets of Bristol, but a wholly welcome one. More of this kind of thing please! A great collaboration on Upper York Street, so utterly well worth a look.

2155. Little Paradise (2)

I think that perhaps I should have posted this yesterday, what with it being Easter Sunday and all that, but hindsight is a fickle fellow and treats us with a level of contempt. This beautiful bunny from Nevergiveup is in one of my favourite named streets in Bristol – Little Paradise. There are two bricked out windows in this alleyway, the other is occupies by a gorgeous Feoflip piece that has survived since Upfest 2017.

Nevergiveup, Little Paradise, Bristol, April 2019
Nevergiveup, Little Paradise, Bristol, April 2019

This bunny is a little dumpier than many but is no less charming, in fact I think that this is one of my faves. The pink background decoration sets the rabbit off really nicely, and the whole thing is full of good cheer. I am getting so far behind with the rabbits, I have seen at least seven newish ones all over Bristol, but not yet had a chance to photograph them. Nevergiveup has an Instagram account called @followmyrabbits, and you can see his full collection there.