Tag: Street art

1524. M32 roundabout J3 (84)

This is a not-quite-finished piece from the magnificent Sled One, and it was his contribution to the ASK paint jam at the M32 roundabout. He was actually a day late, because he had had a hangover the day of the paint jam and didn’t feel like painting – so these guys are human after all.

Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018

I am always completely amazed at how Sled One seems to be so at ease with his cans, he seems to create his work with the minimum of fuss and is able to put ehat is in hes head onto a wall. He is comfortable with both writing and creating fantastical characters, and is a real asset to The Paintsmiths, who he works for.

Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
Sled One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018

This piece, even incomplete, looks stunning and I will have to go back to get a finished picture.

Last week I was cutting the lower branches and shoots off a lime tree that lines the road where I live – the council used to do it but have no money for such things any more – so that I could park the car without smearing it with aphids and get out of it without walking into a jungle. Anyhow, I digress, while I was pruning, I looked up and saw Sled One. We stopped for a chat, and it turns out he lives only a few doors up from me…I can’t believe that we haven’t bumped into each other before.

1523. The Bearpit (150)

Object…is tireless in his campaigning to keep The Bearpit open as an available space for all…including artists. It seems that Bristol City Council are determined to clamp down on the amount of spraying that goes on in the Bearpit, and new graffiti is routinely painted over, leaving an ugly landscape of patchwork walls where the paint doesn’t quite match. Also, by painting blank walls, the Council are simply inviting the less savoury elements of the graffiti scene to make their mark with tags and throw ups.

Object...,The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2018
Object…,The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2018

This piece contains a quote from Tom Flemming Creative Consultancy, who I assume have been doing some work for BCC. It is a nice quote and one that I can relate to. The messy and the marginal – it works for me. The artwork from Object… is actually really good and contains many things I associate with the artist – feathers and wings joined to slightly contorted hand and of course the strong political message. I like the #BearpitIsBeautiful too. I doff my cap to Object… whose passion drive him and others forward.

1522. The Bearpit (149)

Once again I am introducing an artist new to these pages…I don’t know how I’m going to keep up with only two posts a day. Some good work may never see the light of day. This fine abstract piece is by Bristol-based artist Run Z, and it is one of two that I hve spotted in Bristol. I have not been aware of his work before and I think he is reasonably new to the scene.

Run Z, The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2018
Run Z, The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2018

There aren’t too many abstract artists on the streets of Bristol, so Run Z is among the elite group that includes Mr Klue and Decay, both of whose work I admire. This piece uses complementary colours in organic swirls, creating an overall effect that is rather pleasing to the eye. If you look close up, it is all a bit raw, but step back and it makes sense. Nice to see something a bit different.

1521. M32 roundabout J3 (83)

Right up there with my favourite Bristol artists is 3Dom. This dream-like piece was created during the recent ASK paint jam at the M32 roundabout and is just so typical of his weird and wonderful creative mind.

3Dom, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
3Dom, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018

For those who know his work, there are several familiar themes going on here in this piece, including the purple striped trousers the character is wearing and the birdcage for a head. 3Dom often uses inanimate objects to create the face of his characters, bringing those inanimate objects to life and personality to the whole piece. I think a psychiatrist would probably have a field day with 3Dom’s work.

3Dom, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018
3Dom, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2018

I love the little details like the fly, the lock on the birdcage and especially the upwards drips on the bicycle. I love this piece to bits.

1520. Dean Lane skate park (129)

As so often happens in this game, I go in search of one thing and find something else. I had seen a post on Instagram of a beautiful new collaboration by Face 1st and Tasha Bee in Dean Lane, quite unusual, because it is not a spot that Face 1st regularly paints and their collaborations seem to be a bit of a new thing at the moment. When I got there, it had already been overpainted.

Elvs, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2018
Elvs, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2018

The good news is that the piece covering it is by Elvs, whose work is always of a brilliant standard. In this work he has chosen some dark and subtle colours to create his unique writing. You should be able to read the word ‘ELVS’ as well as some additional characters, in what looks like Japanese to me. I’m not sure what it says.

Elvs, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2018
Elvs, Dean Lane, Bristol, May 2018

The tragedy of Dean Lane (but also the thing that makes it so special) is the transient nature of the work there – blink and you miss it. I was sorry not to see the PWA collaboration, but at least I was rewarded with this superb Elvs burner.

1519. Stokes Croft, Full Moon (2)

Since Aspire left Bristol for London, it is always such a pleasant surprise to see a new piece by him, because it is always just so unexpected. I guess when he was here, I just took it for granted that there would be a regular supply of amazing birds from this extraordinary artist – now, every single one is treasured as a very special and rare gift.

Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, May 2018
Aspire, Stokes Croft, Bristol, May 2018

This beautiful kingfisher is on one of the boards outside the Full Moon pub in Stokes Croft, and I think it might have been done as part of a special event held there, although, I have been away a lot recently and missed it. As always, Aspire never disappoints and the slightly blurred appearance of the bird and the background give a feel for natural movement which brings the piece alive. Still loving his trademark pixels. Stunning piece.

1518. M32 Cycle path (16)

This is an interesting burner from Soak in the quiet derelict area sandwiched between the M32 and Stapleton Road. It was part of the cycle route, but it has been closed off while some development works are being carried out.

Soak, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018
Soak, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018

Soak’s piece uses a fun theme of exploding his name with fragments falling off in all directions. There is movement in the piece and he seems to have spent a little more tome on this than on some of his other burners. Overall I rather like it.

1517. Moon Street (45)

Well you might be tired of NEVERGIVEUP’s bunnies, but I am not tired of posting them, and there are several more in the pipeline, so watch out. This one is in Moon Street and you might notice it is in good company with an old Laic217 piece on the left and work from Deamze on the right. The one on the left has recently been replaced, but the one on the right has been there for an age and really needs refreshing.

NEVERGIVEUP, Moon Street, Bristol, May 2018
NEVERGIVEUP, Moon Street, Bristol, May 2018

Given that he has done so many rabbits recently, I am left wondering if he will return to his monsters, or whether he’ll come up with something else. Whatever happens, his productivity and enthusiasm seems set to continue.

1516. M32 cycle path (15)

I think that this is my favourite Oner piece to date. He has taken a little more time, which is possible in the backwater of this spot, which receives so little traffic since the cycle path along here was closed about six months ago.

Oner, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018
Oner, M32 cycle path, Bristol, May 2018

His letters are a little more elaborate and he has included a rather dashing octopus character on the right hand side. I think that a piece like this showcases the capabilities of an artist. It is all fine to spray quick burners, because it is fun, but take a little more time and special work emerges. I love the colours and optimism of this burner.

1515. M32 roundabout J3 (82)

This is what Deamze specialises in, a fantastically intricate piece of writing accompanied by a cartoon character. In this piece, which was painted at the recent ASK crew paint jam, Deamze makes full use of bold primary colours – something not often seen in my experience of graffiti/street art.

 

I think this is a really sharp piece, beautifully executed, as if we should expect anything less. I don’t really know who the character is, he looks familiar but I can’t place him. Google searches failed me on this occasion.

 

This is a bright piece which looks amazing on this section of wall and the pictures with tree cover add that little something special. Fine work.