.
A moment enjoyed
warm May sun scolds my trousers
while Ruben frolicks.
.
by Scooj
Tag: UK
1465. Upfest 2017 (164)
It took me a lifetime to get round to finding this collaboration and at last posting it. It is just a little too far from my work to manage in a lunchtime, so I had to make a special trip. It is by the incredible Fanakapan and Insane51.
There is so much to love about this piece (except its location) that I don’t know where to start. I could try to start with the cracked wall, which is cleverly done and lets us into the world of these two artists. It is interesting that the character is both behind the hole (see his head) and in front of it (see his left arm further down). I don’t know if this is intentional, but it adds to the wackiness of the piece.
The flamingo and tin can are the work of Fanakapan and the double image of the baseball caped man is by Insane51. The whole piece is utterly bonkers and brilliant, so beautifully executed and incredible attention to detail.
I love the reflections in the sunglasses and in the tin can – these are the things that highlight how talented these artists are. the wall itself is a bugger to photograph, because there is not much room between it and the wall behind, as you can see from the long shot. I’ve been saving some of the really good Upfest pieces until last.
1464. Upfest 2017 (163)
Where do I begin with this piece, a collaboration from Will Barras and Xenz? Not that we knew it at the time, but this is the swan song for this premium wall on the Masonic pub. The second hand car business has sold up and developers will be moving in soon.
I spoke to Will Barras Before he started this piece, and he felt rather intimated by the size of the wall, by the previous piece (Pichiavo) and by collaborating on something this large. However, he faced his demons and got on with the job.
My first impression was not favourable – I didn’t like it. I felt the wall was way too big and there was so much going on it was difficult to engage with it. It has taken me several months to change my views, but change they have – I have become a fan.
I’m not sure why I think this, but I think it is called ‘she’s a waterfall’ – a song by The Stone Roses – anyhow I might be wrong about that. The two artists with similar styles, but different subject matter preferences (Xenz – fantasy worlds and birds, Will Barras – bikes and abstract stuff), have combined to create a huge picture story which contains beauty, hope, fantasy and of course a bike. A fitting farewell to this stunning wall.
Archetype
In ancient woodland
ferns unfurl and bluebells thrive;
late afternoon sun.
by Scooj
1463. Upfest 2017 (162)
This gorgeous piece by Olivier Roubieu was definitely a hit with critics and visitors to Upfest 2017, receiving a lot ov coverage immediately after the event. It is a classy sophisticated piece beautifully painted, and something quite unusual for the walls of Bristol.
I note from his excellent website that Olivier Roubieu paints a lot of nudes, and I wonder if he toned this piece down for the conservative British audience. In general, it is rare to see nudes in street art in the UK and yet, it seems to be quite common on the continent. I don’t really know what is at the root of it – is it the people or the authorities?
The dancers caught in an instant are full of movement and poise and stand out from the ethrial background ‘noise’. Difficult to believe that this has been created with spray cans. A fabulous contributiion to Upfest 2017.
Funeral planning
.
My sister and I
over a cup of coffee;
time to reminisce.
.
by Scooj
1462. Upfest 2017 (161)
Back to some more pieces from Upfest 2017 starting with the third collaboration from Caro Pepe and Age Age. I love the work that these two do together, and their different subject matter and styles complement each other so well and in this piece fuse together perfectly.
At last year’s Upfest they definitely went for this subtle colour scheme of mauves and browns, which is actually very effective. These are not brash ‘in your face’ works, rather they are gentle comforting studies.
Age Age’s contribution begins on the left and Caro Pepe’s on the right. The central panel is where they come together creating a robot girl whose right eye is covered over under the face mask. Of their three contributions, this is my favourite. I think they are returning this year and it will be interesting to see if they work together again.
1461. Hepburn Road (6)
Whichever way you look at it, this end of Hepburn Road is one of the dingiest roads in Bristol, but it is a bit of a Mecca for graffiti. Occasionally there are some good pieces that appear here, usually at this top end.
This is a quick one from Smak, who is now firmly established as a writer in the pages of this blog. Not as elaborate as some of his work, it is nonetheless clean and tidy and oozes quality.
May fair
.
Entranced by music
as I weave between the stalls;
community day.
.
by Scooj
1460. The Bearpit (142)
I have said it many times, it is always a real pleasure when artists from out of town come to Bristol and leave us a gift, and what a gift this was from London artist Tommy Fiendish.
I don’t know too much about the artist other than that he is at art college in London and he enjoys Hip Hop. I did however find this brilliant post on his Instagram feed which I highly recommend taking a look at – it features this piece and the throw up that went over the top of it. What a way to fight back!
A highly detailed and technically strong piece, it was most eyecatching and on the morning I was photographing it, it had really attracted quite a crowd of admirers. Welcome back anytime.
