Tag: Street art

69. Picton Lane (3)

Rowdy is best known for his pictures of crocodiles with large triangular teeth (see the trousers?). He is a Bristol artist whose work is very well known locally, but he has painted throughout the country and internationally. He has been spraying for a long time and is well established on the Bristol scene. He has a playful mischief in his work.

Rowdy, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2015
Rowdy, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2015

This mural is called ‘Boxing Fox’ and is sprayed on a garage door, only a few yards away from his collaboration with Mau Mau, and another of his pictures called ‘Lilo’ which I will post soon. A Rowdy hot-spot.

Rowdy, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2015
Rowdy, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2015

As with a great many of the Bristol artists, there is a respectful nod to Mibsy and to Robbo (King Robbo, a street artist and ‘competitor’ of Banksy’s, who died in August 2014 aged 45).

7.5/10

 

 

68. Nine Tree Hill (1)

What a great name for a street. I try to imagine what it was like before it was developed. Although this rather naive mural is signed by Fung, I can find out nothing about the artist and I would guess it is an early work before a reputation has been developed. I could of course be wrong.

Fung?, Nine Trees Hill, Bristol, September 2015
Fung?, Nine Trees Hill, Bristol, September 2015

This photograph is interesting for another reason, and it can be found on the hoarding that has been left on the ground in front of the pink face, see below:

Fung?, Nine Trees Hill, Bristol, September 2015
Fung?, Nine Trees Hill, Bristol, September 2015

There is a scene drawn with marker pens – rather violent from what I can see – with the heading ‘We be collectin’ body parts of raffers (?) to impress her’. I can only imagine that this is an early work by a youngster as the themes and artwork are quite childish. What I like about it is that someone is giving it a go and developing their art and articulating their thoughts.

5/10

67. Nelson Street (2)

Inkie is a hugely influential artist on the Bristol, and indeed world, street art scene. Originally from Clifton in Bristol he now works in London. His works are celebrated alongside Banksy, Nick Walker and 3D…he even has his own Wikipedia page, so he must be important.

Inkie, Nelson Street, Bristol
Inkie, Nelson Street, Bristol

I walked past three of his works today, but have been puzzled and most intrigued by this one. My first impression and assumption was that it was not completed, but that would seem to be mad…Interweb to the rescue.

The work was completed as one of the central pieces for the ‘See no Evil’ event in 2012, which Inkie himself organised. I have featured several other remaining artworks from the event in previous posts.

image

The ownership of the host building was set to change hands in November 2012 and the departing landlord started to remove the street art prior to selling, but only removed a part of it before leaving it as we see it today. The following link is a news item from the time. The comments at the end make for really interesting reading, and show the spectrum of views about street art in a light that might not at first be obvious.

7/10

66. Nelson Street hoarding (3)

It seems a little ridiculous, but this is the first time I have posted any solo artwork by Silent Hobo. It simply demonstrates the vast number of Bristol artists painting and spraying across the city.

Silent Hobo, Nelson Street, Bristol, October 2015
Silent Hobo, Nelson Street, Bristol, October 2015

Silent Hobo’s work has a similar cartoon style to Cheo, and they are both popular for commissions on public buildings and spaces. Actually I have featured him once, on the collective tribute piece to Mibsy; I think he painted the portrait.

Silent Hobo, Nelson Street, Bristol, October 2015
Silent Hobo, Nelson Street, Bristol, October 2015

Silent Hobo makes a living through his work and has painted not only in Bristol, but across the country, Europe and beyond. He has a pretty decent website here. I will post more Silent Hobo soon. So many artists…so much street art…so little time.

Silent Hobo, Nelson Street, Bristol, October 2015
Silent Hobo, Nelson Street, Bristol, October 2015

7/10

65. Fairfax Street

I have been sorting through a few pictures of Bristol’s street art that I have taken recently, and there really is a lot of the stuff, and such variety. In October, I came across an unusual work by one of Bristol’s most prolific artists, Kid Crayon.

Kid Crayon, Fairfax Street, Bristol, October 2015
Kid Crayon, Fairfax Street, Bristol, October 2015

What is interesting about this mural is that it is a departure from his wheatpaste work, which I have featured many times in my posts.

Kid Crayon, Fairfax Street, Bristol, October 2015
Kid Crayon, Fairfax Street, Bristol, October 2015

It can be quite difficult to get decent shots of this mural because it is on the wall of a small private car park, and there are usually cars parked up against the wall. I really like this mural and will seek out more of his paintings.

Kid Crayon, Fairfax Street, Bristol, October 2015
Kid Crayon, Fairfax Street, Bristol, October 2015

 

64. Richmond Road

In deepest Bohemian Montpelier, Bristol, many of the homes and businesses have welcomed street artists to adorn their walls and shopfronts with murals. Every street is full of colour and surprises.

Ryan Kai, Richmond Road, Bristol, November 2015
Ryan Kai, Richmond Road, Bristol, November 2015

This beautiful mural created in 2013 is by Ryan Kai and is typical of his work, which carries a strong Latin American theme. He studied art at the University of the West of England in Bristol and graduated in 2009. Now living and working in North London, Kai has a really nice blog which gives you a great insight into his work and techniques.

Ryan Kai, Gnome tag, Richmond Road, Bristol, November 2015
Ryan Kai, Gnome tag, Richmond Road, Bristol, November 2015

I don’t know who is responsible for the little addition to this mural. A bit of fun.

7/10

63. Anchor Road

This rather threatening Nick Walker stencil from 2013 caused the tiniest storm in a teacup when a Bristol resident complained to the Council about the work, complaining that it was an abuse of childhood. The way the law works is that the owner of the property can choose not to have the graffiti removed if that is what they wish, in in this instance the owner liked it and it has stayed.

Nick Walker, Anchor Road, Bristol, April 2015
Nick Walker, Anchor Road, Bristol, April 2015

The same stencil appeared as part of a commission of Nick Walker’s art in a hotel car park in Indianapolis. How good is that?

Nick Walker, Anchor Road, Bristol, April 2015
Nick Walker, Anchor Road, Bristol, April 2015

There is a final and rather sad end to this blog (updated in March 2016, whilst compressing images) which is that the door was stolen, and it now looks like the picture below. I think that the thief tried to flog it, but couldn’t so handed it into the authorities in the NW of England…or I might be making that bit up.

Nick Walker, Anchor Road, Bristol, December 2015
Nick Walker, Anchor Road, Bristol, December 2015

8/10

62. Stokes Croft corner wall (2)

Adjacent to the iconic Stinkfish portrait that signals you are in Stokes Croft is a reasonably recent work by 3Dom with its trademark vibrant colours and rather surreal subject matter. A great addition to the area.

3Dom, Stikes Croft, Bristol, September 2015
3Dom, Stikes Croft, Bristol, September 2015
3Dom, Stikes Croft, Bristol, September 2015
3Dom, Stikes Croft, Bristol, September 2015

61. Picton Lane (2)

Rich pickings indeed from Picton Lane. This is the first solo 3Dom wall that I have featured in my posts, and a bit of a curious one to start with. Entitled the Dream Machine Tardis, it is typical of his use of vibrant colours and surreal imagery. I don’t know what it is about, but is is pleasing to my eye.

3Dom, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2015
3Dom, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2015

It is well worth reading this brilliant interview with the Bristol-based street artist and finding out why he goes under the name Mike 22 for his indoor gallery work. I am looking forward to posting more of his work.

7/10

60. Picton Lane (1)

My lunchtime stroll today took me to Montpelier, the heart of alternative Bohemian Bristol. Although I live nearby, I don’t know the area well, so I was in for a treat. I veered off the main roads into the back streets, and found walls festooned with murals, mostly by very local artists.

Mau Mau and Rowdy, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2015
Mau Mau and Rowdy, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2015

I came across this political piece, which speaks volumes about the severe cuts which are destroying public services. It is a collaboration between Rowdy and Mau Mau. Rowdy is known as one of the longest-standing graffiti artists in the UK, and paints a lot of crocodiles and jagged teeth. Mau Mau’s trademark is a fox, which features in most of his works.

Mau Mau and Rowdy, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2015
Mau Mau and Rowdy, Picton Lane, Bristol, November 2015

This was, as far as I can make out, painted on 27 October 2015; so really recent. I am pleased to have seen it so soon after completion.

7.5/10