Tag: Tasha Bee

1716. Turbo Island

I became aware of this piece of work when I saw an Instagram post from Tasha Bee describing a collaboration on Turbo Island, Stokes Croft with Mr Draws. I decided to walk home…I usually get the bus because I don’t feel as fresh as in the mornings…and what a good decision that was.

Mr Draws and Tasha Bee, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2018
Mr Draws and Tasha Bee, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2018

By the time I got to Turbo Island I had already found two new pieces in roads I don’t often visit, which was a great start, and Mr Draws and Tasha Bee were just finishing off and tidying up.

Mr Draws and Tasha Bee, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2018
Mr Draws and Tasha Bee, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2018

This wall hasn’t been sprayed for a long time, and a collection of artists supported by the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft (PSRC) are trying to resurrect it as a ‘legal’ wall with a regular turnover. This is a risk, because the site is prone to impromptu parties and gatherings and often gets pretty messed up.

Mr Draws and Tasha Bee, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2018
Mr Draws and Tasha Bee, Turbo Island, Bristol, August 2018

The collaboration itself is rather lovely, with Mr Draws’ multicoloured mountains and two figures by Tasha Bee and the message in both Latin and English ‘All things are in common’, which expresses the idea that the world belongs to everyone, rather than the way society is organised where the disposessed and dominated are overlooked to the benefit of the few.

Sadly the piece was tagged less than 24 hours later – predictable but annoying really.

1700. M32 roundabout J3 (92)

A serendipitous meeting. I had a couple of hours to race around Bristol seeking out any new works before going away on my summer holiday in mid-August, and the last port of call before packing up the car and heading for Gatwick was the M32 roundabout.

Soap, Tasha Bee and Face F1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018
Soap, Tasha Bee and Face F1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018

As I approached the southern wall I could see Tasha Bee at work, which in itself was very exciting because I have recently become more aware of her work and have been keen to meet the artist. I struck up a conversation with her and could see that she was contributing to a collaboration with PWA’s Soap and Face F1st. I said that I was sorry to have missed them because I would like to meet them both, whereupon she told me that they were sitting on the grass bank right behind me. Hurrah! I stopped for a chat with them all (I hope I didn’t interfere too much with their work) and Face 1st let me have a flick through his black book which felt like a real privilege.

Soap, Tasha Bee and Face F1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018
Soap, Tasha Bee and Face F1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018

Soap and Face F1st had pretty much finished their pieces and were watching on and advising Tasha Bee as she completed hers. I love the way that the cross motif has been shared by Soap and FF, and I am seriously enjoying the full figure work that the latter is producing at the moment. The girl with the face is emerging and coming to life.

Soap, Tasha Bee and Face F1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018
Soap, Tasha Bee and Face F1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018

Sadly I never got to see the the finished piece which got buffed over within a few days, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of meeting three lovely artists and seeing them at work. We’ll meet again…

Soap, Tasha Bee and Face F1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018
Soap, Tasha Bee and Face F1st, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2018

1636. M32 Roundabout J3 (90)

This is the second of two recent pieces by the marvelous Tasha Bee. Regulars will know that I admire her work a great deal, and this piece is no exception to that. One of the things I love about her art is that I rarely go looking for it, tending to find it instead when I am out on one of my little expeditions.

Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2018
Tasha Bee, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2018

In this one, which is just outside the roundabout on the St Pauls side, there are two serene figures in purple and blue facing each other. Consistent with her work, both have closed eyes and a calmness about them. I rather like the ear decorations, one is a yin yang symbol and the other a peace symbol. A lovely find.

1623. St Werburghs tunnel (33)

I think I am in love with Tasha Bee’s work…there I’ve said it. I don’t know what it is about her style that presses all of my buttons, but there is something. Maybe it is the slightly 60s look and feel, maybe it is the colour palettes she uses, maybe it is the simplicity of expressions on her subjects or maybe it is that she does awesome collaborations with Face 1st. It is probably all of these and more.

Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2018
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2018

This was one of two pieces I recently photographed in St Werburghs tunnel, lucky me, and each of them is equally good. The only dowenside is their location in the tunnel – the lighting is always so tricky. I think I might have got away with it this time…just.

1533. Brunel Way bridge (7)

I love, love, love this collaboration piece by Face 1st and Tash Bee. Totally understated and beautifully sprayed on a concrete column under Brunel Way, this piece is tucked away and pretty much out of view. There is a serenity about the piece that works so very well, and the setting is just a perfect way to frame the piece.

Face 1st and Tasha Bee, Brunel Way bridge, Bristol, June 2018
Face 1st and Tasha Bee, Brunel Way bridge, Bristol, June 2018

I don’t know how long these two have been collaborating for, but there have been a spate of their joint pieces cropping up all over the place just recently. For me, this is the best yet. Their use of colour and form is similar, but each has a very distinctive look. The top section is by Face 1st and beneath it is a superb styalized portrait by Tash Bee. I have met neither of these artists, but it I keep looking, it is just a matter of time.

A happy find.

1514. The Bearpit (148)

What a lovely piece in The Bearpit from Tasha Bee, who not so long ago painted in collaboration with Hazard in St Werburghs tunnel. I know little about her or her work, but she is very much on my radar at the moment. I think she has recently been collaborating with PWA, in particular Face 1st.

Tasha Bee, The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2018
Tasha Bee, The Bearpit, Bristol, May 2018

This is a beautiful impish character full of colour and vigour. It is something quite different from the usual fare in The Bearpit and all the better for it. Everything that I have seen from Tasha Bee I like, so I am definitelty going to try and track down more of her work.