4526. The Full Moon

When Zake first appeared on my radar a few years ago, I managed to pretty much keep on top of his work, only rarely missing a piece in Bristol. These days, he is painting so much in so many spots, it is difficult to keep up. I have been meaning to photograph this one in the Full Moon in Stokes Croft for some time, and finally got round to it a week or two ago.

Zake, The Full Moon, Bristol, June 2022
Zake, The Full Moon, Bristol, June 2022

Zake has sprayed this fine monkey in a spacesuit (a theme I have seen before) with a happy moon behind on a gate at the back of the pub courtyard garden. As ever, the faces are beautifully painted and Zake has used his highlighting technique to great effect, with blue shadowing in the creases of the features on both faces. Very nice work from Zake.

904. Stokes Croft, Full Moon (1)

How often do you get to watch two of Bristol’s best graffiti artists in action? well in my case not too often, but I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to see Soker and Cheo at work.

Soker and Cheo, Stokes Croft, Bristol, July 2017
Soker and Cheo, Stokes Croft, Bristol, July 2017

I had actually been in the area to see the magnificent exhibition of work from Tom Miller at the It’s all 2 Much gallery on the other side of the road, however the whole area was buzzing with street artists spraying every available wall in the immediate vicinity.

They were in town for an event organised at the Full Moon pub by Inkie, called Boogie down Bristol. This was an event held within the courtyard of the pub and featured a blend of local and not so local artists.

Cheo, Stokes Croft, Bristol, July 2017
Cheo, Stokes Croft, Bristol, July 2017

I chatted for a while with Cheo, who I had not met before, who is very much contained in a world of his own work and was focussed on this piece. A classic Cheo character…I love the rather unpleasant plaster on his chin – great attention to detail.

Soker, Stokes Croft, Bristol, July 2017
Soker, Stokes Croft, Bristol, July 2017

Soker was busy chatting with chums, but both obviously really friendly, and they do so much great work together. This was only one of several collaborations that were happening on the streets, let alone the curated pieces that were being sprayed in the pub. Fortune favours the brave.

 

427. Stokes Croft, The Full Moon

This large work has been here for well over a year now, but I simply haven’t got round to sharing it until now. Cheba is making something of a name for himself with painting these large scale, full building interstellar galactic murals.

Cheba, Stokes Croft, Bristol, March 2016
Cheba, Stokes Croft, Bristol, March 2016

This particular piece is a bit of a landmark at the centre of a cultural hub in Bristol. Cheba produces these amazing works and he produces them so very well. His technique is recognisable and I would say ‘best in class’ of this king of work.

Cheba, Stokes Croft, Bristol, March 2016
Cheba, Stokes Croft, Bristol, March 2016

I recently saw another large piece by Cheba in Camden Town, not dissimilar to this one. Of course I will write about it one day…maybe in a light year or two.