More from the wonderful Rowdy in this Montpelier hotspot for street art. This mural is called ‘Lilo’. I am not too sure what it depicts, but it may have a ‘fat cat’ reference there. Who knows? I’d better find Rowdy and ask him.
8/10
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.
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.
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
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.
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:
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
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.
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.
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
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’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 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.
7/10
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I don’t know who is responsible for the little addition to this mural. A bit of fun.
7/10
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.
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?
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.
8/10
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.
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.
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
Natural adventures 