Tag: Surreal

597. James Street (1)

Once in a while, you feel that you might be witnessing something rather special, and so it is with the art of Tom Miller. I would be the first to concede that his surrealist style isn’t to everyone’s taste, but what he has to offer, both on canvass and on walls, is very different, refreshing, challenging, intelligent, busy and bright. I think and hope he will go a long way.

Tom Miller, James Street, Bristol, January 2017
Tom Miller, James Street, Bristol, January 2017

He was busy painting this new wall on New Year’s Eve and into New Year. Dedication to his craft.

Tom Miller, James Street, Bristol, January 2017
Tom Miller, James Street, Bristol, January 2017

I am not entirely sure what the piece is depicting, but it looks a little like Buddha with a whole load of things going on around him and a rather nice little hut ion his head for a hat. Miller’s pieces are always bursting with energy and weirdness. Lots of body parts and face parts adorn his subjects. There is meaning to all of this I’m sure, but it is probably deeply rooted in the artist’s sub-conscious.

Tom Miller, James Street, Bristol, January 2017
Tom Miller, James Street, Bristol, January 2017

A wonderful new landmark on the Bristol street art trail, slightly off the beaten track, but worth the walk.

490. Upfest 2016 (64)

This is one of the slightly more bonkers pieces from Upfest this year. Surreal and vivid, it absolutely makes me smile every time I look at it. Unfortunately I never got to see the finished work, but I was pleased to get some pictures of the artist at work.

Jimmy Duggan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Jimmy Duggan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Jimmy Duggan is from the Isle of Man, and is the only Manx artist I have come across so far. He has an interesting Facebook page for his art work, which gives you a real feel for his expressive and creative work. I would dearly like to see more of his stuff in Bristol, but I think it unlikely. Maybe next Upfest?

Jimmy Duggan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016
Jimmy Duggan, Upfest, Bristol, July 2016

479. Jerome Street, Shoreditch (2)

Wheatpastes somehow lend themselves not only to bold political statements, but also to quirkiness and humour. I first encountered ‘Face The Strange’ at Upfest 2016 with his rather imaginative flying human ducks.

Face The Strange, Jerome Street, Shoreditch, September 2016
Face The Strange, Jerome Street, Shoreditch, September 2016

The basic technique adopted by Face The Stange, is to take every day objects and superimpose them onto the face of people, creating a rather unsettling and surreal effect. It is more than that though…as I have said many times one of the arts of wheatpasting is location and arrangement. In this aspect Face The Strange excels.

Face The Strange, Jerome Street, Shoreditch, September 2016
Face The Strange, Jerome Street, Shoreditch, September 2016

The other thing about paste ups is that they are rarely commissions, and therefore kind of illegal, which gives them an extra edge. This is my kind of stuff.

 

 

82. Stokes Croft, the carriageworks (2)

This mural recently (Nov/Dec 2015) appeared on the frequently renewed wall at the carriageworks in Stokes Croft.

Tom Miller, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2015
Tom Miller, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2015

It is one of the more unusual works I have seen in the area. Surreal, and beautifully sprayed. It is outstanding.

Tom Miller, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2015
Tom Miller, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2015

It appears to me signed by Miller, or Millen or something like that, but I have drawn a blank on any information about the artist. If anyone knows who it might be, please let me know and I will update the post.

Tom Miller, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2015
Tom Miller, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2015

As with all works here, it will be gone soon, sprayed over by another artist, so I am glad to have captured this curiosity.

UPDATE – after some more research I have discovered that the artist is Tom Miller, a recent graduate of the University West of England. He has produced some wild prints and I am very tempted to buy one.

7/10