Tag: UK

Deck chairs

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Cabinet shuffle

dusting-off an ex-PM

an empty barrel

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by Scooj

  • I have recently tried to veer away from politics, but today has been too momentous to pass without some comment. At last, we see the back (for now) of the racist agent provocateur Suella Braverman as Home Secretary, to be replaced by the inept and underwhelming James Cleverly. His post of Foreign Secretary has been filled by former PM, architect of austerity and the EU Exit referendum (who was heard to sing ‘tum te tum’ as he returned to the door of No 10 after his resignation speech). David Cameron isn’t even an elected member of parliament and is the subject of an ongoing serious fraud investigation – furthermore Sunak has had to make him a Baron so that he can sit in the House of Lords to take up his office (there were 350 Conservative MPs Sunak could have selected from, but not a single one of them met the bar presumably). You couldn’t make it up. Other ministers and Secretaries of State have been shuffled, one of which will have direct implications for my own work. Surely, surely the Conservative party is utterly washed-up and should give the country what it wants, a general election.

5629. Peel Street Green (20)

Haka, Peel Street Green, Bristol, October 2023
Haka, Peel Street Green, Bristol, October 2023

I remember, looking back, that a few years back I used to think of Haka as something of an ‘edgy’ graffiti writer and artist as there were sometimes quite hard-hitting narratives alongside his work, but I think I was wrong at the time, and in recent years his work has been gentle and humorous and a joy to witness.

Haka, Peel Street Green, Bristol, October 2023
Haka, Peel Street Green, Bristol, October 2023

This new piece in Peel Street Green is a reflection of his work over the last 20 years and features a wonderful Snoopy character sitting on a rocket alongside some cheery bright and colourful letters. His work is upbeat and fun and these days works especially well for younger viewers, as many of his references are children’s cartoon or picture book characters. I hope this one stays as long as his Garfield piece in the same location.

5628. Cumberland Basin

Lokey, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2023
Lokey, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2023

There are some artists who pause for a long time between pieces, and it reaches the stage where they become out of sight… out of mind. I had quite forgotten about Lokey and his outstanding anamorphic writing, so it was an extra special surprise to find this piece. The day was a good one with the thoroughly enjoyable company of Paul H who was able to get out for a few snaps.

Lokey, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2023
Lokey, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, October 2023

Purple and orange always make great bedfellows in street art, and Lokey has woven the colours in the most incredible way to create the 3D depth that appears to lift the letters several inches off the wall. Such clever and skilled work. I would love to see more of Lokey’s work, but I suspect his pieces will continue to be a bit of a rarity.

Diapause

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The webs are all gone

spider mating season done

hiding and brooding

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by Scooj

5627. M32 Cycle path (235)

Sled One, Karmone and Smak, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023
Sled One, Karmone and Smak, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023

I think I have Paul H to thank for pointing out this piece. I don’t often venture to this area because usually is is littered with tags and throw ups that I have little interest in, but this outstanding collaboration by Sled One, Karmone and Smak, proves that it is always worth taking a look everywhere.

Sled One, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023
Sled One, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023

The piece is sited underneath the railway bridges on Stapleton Road, but cannot be seen from the road, which is probably why I missed it. To the left is something so incredible it is difficult to describe. The fire extinguisher character is Sled One at his most awesome, and it reminds me of a piece he painted way back. I’ll see if I can locate it and pop it in at the end of the post. Sled One’s complete mastery of his trade is something to admire and enjoy.

Karmone and Smak, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023
Karmone and Smak, M32 Cycle path, Bristol, October 2023

Fortunately, the accompanying writing by Karmone and Smak are of such high quality that they comfortably sit alongside Sled One’s work. Both pieces of writing are of the highest quality and ooze class. Overall, this is one of the best collaborations of the year, and there is some very stiff competition indeed. Once again it makes me feel very lucky to live in a city where such talent is on display, for free, for citizens, every day of the week.

Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, June 2016
Sled One, Old Bread Street, Bristol, June 2016

5626. M32 Spot (174)

Theartofsok, M32 Spot, Bristol, Ocober 2023
Theartofsok, M32 Spot, Bristol, Ocober 2023

Theartofsok is not an artist I am particularly familiar with, so when I first saw this unsigned piece I c was a little puzzled and had to do a bit of homework. I could be certain it wasn’t by a Bristol artist but by a visitor, beyond that I was stumped. It is an outstanding piece from the South Wales artist, and one of two in the area from a visit he made a couple of weeks back.

Theartofsok, M32 Spot, Bristol, Ocober 2023
Theartofsok, M32 Spot, Bristol, Ocober 2023

The piece is very confidently painted, with strong, sharp black outlines and assured solid fills. There is a simplicity about it, but do not be fooled, behind the simplicity lies great technical skill and know how. The expression on the character’s face and movement around him is all rather special. Theartofsok is welcome to return anytime.

The visit

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An old man declines

this strong man now so fragile

our hug long lasting

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by Scooj

5625. M32 roundabout J3 (521)

Mr Riks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2023
Mr Riks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2023

This classic burner on the long roundabout wall is one of two recent Mr Riks pieces to appear in Bristol. To the untrained eye, this might look like any other chrome throw up, but have a closer look and there are signs that this piece is by no ordinary artist.

Mr Riks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2023
Mr Riks, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October 2023

The letters spell out RIKS, with a couple of comedy eyes and fingers at the top of the ‘I’, and there is a little deliberate blurring on some of the edges of the letters. It is the drop shadow, however, that gives this piece away as having been painted by a craftsman. The shadow has a vanishing point somewhere beneath the piece, and its curves perfectly match the curves of the letters. The stripes, which add depth, and orange border are really nice and tight too. The whole thing may appear modest, but is at the same time classy and masterful.

5624. Dean Lane skate park (657)

Rusk and Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023
Rusk and Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023

Some collaborations are so good they simply ooze class, and any observer would be able to notice that something a little bit special is happening here. Rusk and Shade One have paired up once again in Dean Lane to give us this fabulous treat.

Rusk, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023
Rusk, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023

The writing from Rusk is beautifully proportioned and finished to his usual very high standards. The purple drop shadow works spectacularly well with the green/grey letters. Two stand out details are the white shine running horizontally through the piece and the yellow stripes on some of the letters. Utterly outstanding.

Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023
Shade One, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2023

The portrait piece by Shade One on the right is, I think, a tribute piece to Shimz. The wonderful attention to detail and extraordinary capture mark Shade One as the best photorealistic artist in Bristol right now, and how different his style is from only a couple of years ago, when his characters were more cartoony. This is simply brilliant, and the combination with Rusk is a real worldie in my mind.

Downpour

Priddy Green, Somerset, October 2023
Priddy Green, Somerset, October 2023

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Dampness grips the air

sharp showers and prolonged rain

an English autumn

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by Scooj