Intoxicated
with life and a new purpose
young students gather
fresh-faced and full of promise
as I was once long ago.
by Scooj
Tag: UK
1024. Dean Lane skate park (78)
This is the second piece that Xenz has sprayed in Dean Lane since Upfest (that I know of), and it is great to see his work here in Bristol. For a time he lived in Bristol and was active alongside Banksy and Inkie. According to his website, he now lives and works in London, so it is extra nice to see his work in Dean Lane…maybe he has moved back.
These beautiful birds perching on telegraph lines are something of a trademark in many of his works, wildstyle writing or murals. They are full of charm and character, even though they are put together quite simply.
1023. M32 Spot (9)
On one of the duller walls in Stapleton Road at the M32 skate spot, a whole bunch of new pieces have appeared, of which this is one, which have really brightened up the place. This ‘love bomb’ is by SPZero76 and features the dog, so often included in his works.
SPZero76’s works are always clean and tidy, often with quite a lot going on and plenty of detail to look at. He often includes his ‘stamps’ too, such as the little spray splat with ‘I love Bristol’ or the little SP with a heart. There is never any doubt about who his works are by.
In my limited conversations with SPZero76, I think the one overwhelming thing I take away is his extreme enthusiasm and love for what he does – it comes across in all of his work. I was pleased to find this, because I hadn’t really twigged it was there and it is always nice to make discoveries.
Hard times
By the cathedral
a man and his dog asleep;
nowhere else to go.
by Scooj
1022. Upfest 2017 (55)
I am always chuffed when I see pieces by Bristol artists at Upfest. The street/graffiti art scene here is so strong and it is great for the city to showcase its own artists to visitors from Bristol itself and from further afield.
Sled One, I have said countless times on Natural Adventures, is one of my favourite street artists and was very busy at Upfest, producing two pieces in South Street Park. I caught up with him for a while and asked him how it was that he doesn’t do so much street work these days. It turns out, and I think I knew this anyway, that he is now working with the Paintsmiths and doing a lot of commissioned work. This he says adds pressure on his free time. He also said it was a different way of doing things and that working to a brief can be quite stressful.
This wonderful piece is creative and utterly bonkers. I do like reptiles in street art, somehow they work so very well. The expression on the chameleon’s face is well observed, and the eye is excellent. Hope to see more of his stuff before too long. Perhaps those nice people at The Paintsmiths could give him some time off.
1021. Upfest 2017 (54)
One of the most distinctive collaborations of Upfest 2017 was this piece by Tymon Ferenc de Laat (who really needs a shorter tag) and Nuno Viegas. The piece was sprayed in the garden of The Spotted Cow pub and has subsequently been sold.
It has a high-quality finish to it and works really well as a collaboration with the particular style of each artist – the portrait by Tymon and the paper dart by Nuno – retained in the piece.
I particularly like the amazing attention to detail in the paper dart, with the shadows cast, and the bright line along the leading edge of the wing as if it were catching the light. Very clever and skilful work.
I’m not sure how often these artists collaborate, but for Upfest it worked a real treat.
1020. Upfest 2017 (53)
Half way along North Street you will find Exmoor Street, with a lovely white wall, perfect for a bit of spraying. Wen2, from Brest in France, was one of two artists fortunate enough to be allocated this space.
This piece is beautifully thought out and generates an understanding of buildings and place. It is almost like one of those children’s books that deconstructs structures and shows you what goes on behind the scenes.
I particularly like a couple of things about Wen2 at work herte. He has been most conscientious about the street sign, coveuring it up with paper and masking tape. He has also ‘borrowed’ a chair from somewhere to use as a small step ladder. Resourceful.
Wen2 used a plan to create his piece which gives you a feel for what he was creating. It is interesting that he vchanged some of the colours around. What I really like, and is something he has done with other pieces (check out his Facebook page) is his signature in the style of a throw up on the garage doors. Brilliant!
Another special piece for Upfest 2017.
1019. Upfest 2017 (52)
This work simply made me laugh. It is by the artist Pelmo, whose piece from Upfest 2016 passed me by, which is highly regrettable. I’m not entirely convinced that this was painted on the first two days of the festival, either that or I am losing my touch and missed it.
I love the understated tones used for the piece and the story is there for all to see. It is a witty piece, which would appear to draw some influence from the Gary Larson cartoon style.
About himself, the artist says this in the programme profile:
‘I love painting a good character, a dramatic expression or a body beaten into shape by a little too much life. I generate my ideas by sketching in pubs and paint mostly for fun with the occasional commission.’
Sounds like a good life to me.
First World
Overlooked, unloved
bleeding heart of the city
where hope has no place.
by Scooj
1018. Upfest 2017 (51)
Well this one was a little off the beaten track, only by a hundred meters or so, but enough for many visitors to Upfest to have missed it. In fact, I missed it until a friend told me about it, and I went to investigate for myself.
Mr June, who had a premium wall at Upfest 2016, came back this year to create this architectural masterpiece, turning a fairly ordinary flat into something out of the ordinary…exceptional even.
Smyth Lane has rarely been such a desirable location, demonstrating what a bit of unbelieveably cool spraying can do for a place. The clever straight line 3D effect created on the front of the building is perfectly offset by the more organic shapes that are on the walls of the tunnel. A watery theme disrupts the hard edges and ripples appear to disperse across the piece. While on the other side, water droplets bound by surface tension, sit on designed planes that have an Escher feel to them. And the greens…just beautiful.
Mr June is a highly accomplished artist and this piece really has to go straight into the top ten for this year’s festival…and to think I nearly missed it. I wonder if other local residents will be offering up their properties for a makeover next year.
