Tag: Turoe

3365. M32 roundabout J3 (268)

Well this just about sums it up – another in the series of ‘Shite Year’ pieces by Turoe, this time on the M32 roundabout. When I first saw this piece I was a little bit miffed because it had been painted over a wonderful EAT collaboration piece from January this year, but then I thought, hey, it is about time something new was painted here.

Turoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020
Turoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020

The way the two halves of the piece have been written gives the impression that this is a collaboration between two artists, but it is in fact the work of a single artist.

Turoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020
Turoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, December 2020

Since returning to painting after a period away, there has been no stopping Turoe, and there are more pieces from this theme still to come. Let’s hope for everyone’s sake that next year brings a little more joy and peace. At least Trump won’t be in power to destabilise things further.

SPZero76 and Kid Crayon, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2020
SPZero76 and Kid Crayon, M32 roundabout, Bristol, January 2020

3358. Brunel Way bridge (79)

I will apologise up front for any profanities in this post or any others in the coming days featuring work by Turoe who appears to be on a mission to tell us what a terrible year it has been, and although we already know it, there is value in laying down these markers lest we forget.

Turoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020
Turoe, Brunel Way, Bristol, December 2020

This is one of several pieces of writing that have appeared over the last fortnight or so all over Bristol, and each one of them nicely executed. At first there was a little confusion over who was behind them, but it didn’t take too long to work out that it was Turoe. There is some classy skill behind this piece and it is so obviously by an experienced hand – one might ordinarily associate the word ‘Shite’ to be associated with taggers or quick and dirty throw-ups, but not here, this is quality writing.

3248. M32 roundabout J3 (257)

Robin Hood, Robin Hood riding through the glen… Well there you have today’s ear worm, sorry. This is a rather nice little piece from Veks, that is modestly tucked away near a tree on the M32 roundabout wall.

Veks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2020
Veks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2020

It is quite an unusual piece With large chrome letters and bang in the middle an old school character looking very much like Robin Hood to me, but I am probably wide of the mark on that one. Still, as with all art, there is what the artist paints and there is what the viewer sees and these may not be the same thing at all. I rather like this understated offering.

1541. Upfest 2017 (174)

The unmistakable face of Johnny Rotten.

When I asked some artists from the RAW crew about who painted this they told me it was by the legendary Turoe (Turo). Now, I have come into this rather late, the last 3-4 years or so, and I find it quite difficult penetrating the street art world that predates my interest. Because of this, there are many gaps in my knowledge and this was the first time I had seen work from the artist.

Turoe (Turo), Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Turoe (Turo), Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

The entry for Turoe in the Upfest programme simply reads “Old school Bristol graffiti legend”. Further reading in the book ‘Children of the Can’ (Bristol graffiti and street art) by Felix Braun confirms his standing as a major player in the Bristol graffiti and hip hop scene.

Turoe (Turo), Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Turoe (Turo), Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

The work itself is beautifully done, which screams punk rock. It is interesting that before the eyes were completed the punk rocker is reasonably generic, but with the eyes it could only be Johnny Rotten. Nice piece.