6881. Cumberland Basin

#DFTE and Dave Sharp, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2025
#DFTE and Dave Sharp, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2025

These two artists collaborated on almost this exact spot back in July 2022 – how time flies, I had it in my mind that it was last year. From what I can gather #DFTE and Dave Sharp are good friends, and this fine collaboration ‘anxious iron giants’ combines the distinctive writing of #DFTE with the artistic talents of Dave Sharp.

#DFTE and Dave Sharp, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2025
#DFTE and Dave Sharp, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2025

I would love to see more from #DFTE – the power of words is so beautifully presented with his unique style, going big on the drips, but he doesn’t seem to paint all that often. Dave Sharp, I don’t know much about, but he has captured the Iron Giant robot really well, perhaps tinged with a little anxiety… who knows. Their combination works really well, and as a bonus, here is their last one…

Dave Sharp and #DFTE, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2022
Dave Sharp and #DFTE, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, July 2022

6523. Greenbank (140)

Omie, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024
Omie, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024

With this character piece, Omie is demonstrating his versatility. We would normally associate his work with graffiti writing that isn’t tied down to any particular pattern or style, but here he has painted something altogether different, a robot.

Omie, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024
Omie, Greenbank, Bristol, October 2024

I think that the character is the Iron Giant from the animated film released in 1999, and a popular subject in street art and youth culture. In this nicely crafted and tender piece, the giant is holding a spray can, ready to do some decorating. A fine departure from Omie.