Tag: Tunnel

1995. St Werburghs tunnel (59)

I am really interested in the evolution of Decay’s work, which seems to have been a focus for him since the beginning of the year. I am used to seeing his trademark black, white, grey and red pieces with concentric layers emanating from the centre. More recently he has been playing with a larger range of colours and trying new ideas. We still get to keep the little character though.

Decay, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019
Decay, St Werburghs, Bristol, January 2019

I really like this even if it takes a little getting used to, and if you haven’t yet worked it out, it is a piece of writing that clearly spells out DECAY once you get your eye in. Really looking forward to seeing more of this from Decay, and hoping to catch up with him again, it has been a long time since we last met.

1901. St Werburghs tunnel (54)

Mr Klue, as I have mentioned before has been on a bit of a binge lately, and has produced as many pieces in the last couple of months as he has for the rest of the year. This is something that should be celebrated, as his work is emblematic of the down to earth Bristol street art scene.

This piece in the tunnel at St Werburghs by Mr Klue has an ephemeral, wispy, smokey quality to it. I think that the letters spell out KLUE, and the whole thing is a little different from his normal offering in that it is less complex somehow.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2018
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, November 2018

I guess that when writing letters, there is less freedom for the abstract artist…sure you can do swirls and twirls and disguise the letters, but they are still letters. With the free-form abstract work one usually sees from Mr Klue, there tends to be a little more richness, texture and content. Having said all that, I rather like this and the colour selection too works for me.

1809. St Werburghs tunnel (49)

I have always had a massive soft spot for Mr Klue’s work – I love to examine it and unravel all the different abstract elements that combine to such great effect. As is always the case in this tunnel, the lighting has played havoc with the true colours of the piece, but the form is there for all to see.

Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018

After what feels like a bit of a lull in his work, it appears that he is becoming a little more active on the streets, which is a good thing. I first became aware of his work in the Stokes Croft area of Bristol, but it is telling that the decline in decent walls there and the Council’s stance on The Bearpit has driven artists like Mr Klue away (I am guessing). This is a fine piece indeed.

1805. St Werburghs tunnel (47)

The first time I saw this piece, the bright sun was streaming into St Werburghs tunnel from the right hand side, cutting this piece in two. I had to discard the pictures and return a second time. Fortunately the work, by the fabulous Tasha Bee, was exactly as it was previously and untouched by taggers.

Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Tasha Bee, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018

It has been so good watching the development of Tasha Bee over the last year or two and this piece demonstrates how far she has come. I am starting to notice a lot more tone and shading coming in to her work, giving her characters a more rounded look. This I believe is one of her finest to date…the colours work really well, especially the yellow which offsets the blues and purples. Looking forward to seeing more and I know I won’t have too long to wait.

1802. New Stadium Road (8)

I haven’t seen anything from Run Z for a little while, so it was good to come across this great abstract piece in the little foot tunnel in New Stadium Road. This is a favourite haunt for Deamze, Soke and Voyder, but others come here too.

Run Z, New Stadium Road, Bristol, October 2018
Run Z, New Stadium Road, Bristol, October 2018

Run Z always brings something refreshing in his work as it is unlike most of the rest of the street art in the city. His patterns and exceptional colour choices set his work apart from the writers and character painters. He joins the small band of abstract artists whose work I love to see.

1782. St Werburghs tunnel (44)

So back we go now to St Werburghs tunnel where we find another Face 1st piece, this time it is just the face and hair which has a leaf-like appearance. I think the hair might spell Face, as in other works by the artist, but I fear I am losing my grasp a little and see writing in things where there is none.

Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018

I think that Face 1st tends to do a couple of these at a time when there is a paint jam in the tunnel, because there always seems to be something by him in there at any one time. This piece features his commonly used purples and pinks which often dominate his colour palettes.

1779. St Werburghs tunnel (43)

I really hope you don’t get bored with seeing pieces by Face 1st. If you do, then just skip over this one and the next one in about four posts time and so on. You see, I like his work a lot and he manages to hit the streets a lot, which means his work will feature here a lot.

Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Face 1st, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018

This is an absolute blinder from Face 1st in St Werburghs tunnel and I had to do quite a lot of colour management on my photo editor to bring out the true colours that were swamped with orange light in my originals. Because of this manipulation these pictures can never be a true representation of the piece, so things like this really need to be seen in the flesh. Two faces and lots of adornment…each of the tear-drop things decorated differently, but each given that 3D feel. Lovely piece.

1775. St Werburghs tunnel (42)

Occasionally I manage to come across Fiva’s work – he is not as prolific as many of the Bristol artists, but the quality of his pieces is unquestionable and his style recognisable and attractive. He usually spells out his word in large letters and sometimes, as in this case, fills them with scenes. Often he accompanies the letters with some kind of character – this is a standard format used by many of the graffiti writers here.

Fiva, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Fiva, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018

The lighting in St Werburghs tunnel tends to leave pictures looking a bit orange and the contrast rather poor, so this lovely work by Fiva really doesn’t look as good here as it did in the tunnel. The incorporation of a scene in his letters gives a sense of depth and mystery to the piece. fine work from Fiva.

1773. St Werburghs tunnel (41)

In this piece, we have everything that I like about the Bristol street art scene. First, it is a collaboration between Tasha Bee and Soap – firm friends and painting buddies. Second it is bright and vibrant and in a highly stylised form. Third, the location, St Werburghs tunnel is just sooo Bristol.

Tasha Bee and Soap, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018
Tasha Bee and Soap, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2018

The two characters in the collaboration work so very well together and the colours read-across seamlessly. I am more used to seeing the large mouths that Soap is recognised for, and indeed there is a hint of that on the hat of his character, but it is this wonderfully expressive face that he paints from time to time that I really like. I was so happy to come across this piece, especially as the turnover in the tunnel is particularly high at the moment.

1698. St Werburghs tunnel (39)

Well, who might this gothic wildstyle writing be by? There is a clue in the writing, but it is so cryptic that you probably need to know what you are looking for to be able to see it. The writing says HIRE, and it is indeed the work of this naturalised Bristolian of Polish origin.

Hire, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2018
Hire, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2018

His work is so distinctive, with its long, sharp and jagged lines – his pieces always remind me of medieval battle scenes, with swords, axes and lances crashing in all directions – maybe that is just me, but I say what I see. I am really pleased with the picture above, because the light in the tunnel plays havoc with my camera and the poor lighting in the tunnel meets with bright light outside where this piece is situated. Nice work from Hire.