Tag: UK

613. High Street, Exeter

In late January I had a meeting in Exeter for which I had arrived a little early. I decided to head for the High Street to see if I could grab a bite to eat. What a great decision that was. I am not familiar with Exeter, especially the central shopping area, so the last thing I was expecting to find was this very impressive piece etched into a wall by the Portuguese artist Alexandre Farto, who works under the name Vhils.

Vhils , High Street, Exeter, January 2016
Vhils , High Street, Exeter, January 2016

Exeter is not a city known for its street art culture, and this piece is a grand statement  in the main shopping area, rather isolated and alone, but very, very impressive. I have seen work by Vhils on the Interweb many times, but seeing it up close like this was a genuine treat.

Vhils , High Street, Exeter, January 2016
Vhils , High Street, Exeter, January 2016

His unique approach to creative street art, is to etch or scratch away the rendered surface of a wall back to the brickwork to create his large portraits. The overall effect is to carve something with a bit of depth and texture, albeit in binary colour schemes.

Vhils , High Street, Exeter, January 2016
Vhils , High Street, Exeter, January 2016

I must say that I was really surprised to find something like this in Exeter and praise the authorities who commissioned the work. I am sure it is a constant talking point for residents and visitors alike. Happy days.

612. The Bearpit (37)

Back to the Bearpit and some recent work by ObjectØØØ. As always his very individual style carries with it so much emotion and passion combined with political statement. The figures in his work always feel distorted and tortured by struggle against inequity.

Object000, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017
Object000, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017

This piece is located at the end of the tunnel where the artificial light meets the daylight, and it is really hard to get a decent photograph, but I have done my best. I like to feature ObjectØØØ’s work whenever I find it because I am fascinated by how much the artist invests himself in his work.

Object000, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017
Object000, The Bearpit, Bristol, January 2017

The commentary is a little ambiguous, but I think I know what he is getting at. Great to see some new work from this unusual street artist.

611. Code Street, Shoreditch (2)

The light was fading fast by the time I got to this wall. Had I known of its existence I would probably have tried to get to it earlier and benefit from better light. One of the pitfalls of wandering around aimlessly I suppose. All the pictures have been adjusted to make them less gloomy, but they really don’t convey the magnificence of this collaboration.

Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016

Louis Masai and Fanakapan, two of the best street artists in the UK right now, collaborated to paint this wall as part of the Meeting of Styles, London event in May 2016.

Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016

The patchwork style of Louis Masai and the helium balloon chrome style of Fanakapan work surprisingly well together and when the subject matter is wildlife conservation, what it there not to like about this piece?

Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016

There is a very good piece by London Calling which shows the collaboration at work, in rather sunnier conditions than when I went to visit, which is well worth a gander.

Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016

The theme for the event was ‘absolute freedom’ and this piece is entitled ‘Freedom?’. This was a pure joy for me at the end of a very long walk in Shoreditch…the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Fanakapan and Louis Masai, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016

610. Code Street, Shoreditch (1)

In my wanderings through the streets and alleyways of Shoreditch it was comforting to come across a familiar sight. So much of the artwork was unknown to me and then this…a piece by Bristol graffiti artist Voyder. All of a sudden I felt quite at home and rather pleased with myself that I could identify an artist in the heart of London’s graffitiland.

 

Voyder, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Voyder, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016

I have to say though that I don’t think it is his best work, and not a patch on the stuff he has bee producing in the last few months (in my view). This wall was produced for the Meeting of Styles festival June, 2016. The photographs are a bit dodgy because the daylight was fading, and my crappy little camera was fussing about the light levels. I think I just about got away with it.

Voyder, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Voyder, Code Street, Shoreditch, August 2016

Junk mail

 

A letter addressed

with ‘to whom it may concern’

is wasted on me.

 

by Scooj

Tanka 2

 

Ancient limestone rock

scoured by ceaseless storms and surf

and where a perfect

bowl is carved by swirling stones

a gift, a pool filled with life.

 

by Scooj

609. Cheshire Street, Shoreditch (1)

Street artists are like busses…nothing for ages and then two come along together. This is a small piece by Fin DAC tucked away in Shoreditch and when I took the photograph I didn’t know who it was by. Then, recently I posted a piece by him from Bristol’s Upfest and I recalled this picture and can post it now.

Fin DAC, Cheshire Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Fin DAC, Cheshire Street, Shoreditch, August 2016

The two pieces are very different, and the Shoreditch one is more typical of the Geisha that one normally associates with the artist. In both instances though it is the painted eye mask that gives away the artist’s identity – his signature if you like. At the time I took this I thought it was worth a snap. It was a good decision.

608.Sclater Street, Shoreditch (1)

I am enjoying my journey into the world of street/graffiti art and learning about the talented artists who brighten up our urban environments. Not so long ago, I didn’t know about Himbad and images of his work just sat in my archive waiting for a positive ID. Now I know who he is and can recognise his work – that is a good thing.

Himbad, Sclater Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Himbad, Sclater Street, Shoreditch, August 2016

This piece is rather large and very impressive when looking down the street at it. If you are wondering how it was painted, there is a great explanation on the London Calling blog which has images of the artist in progress. All done with rollers and a very long pole! This is a wonderful piece, full of character.

Nature boy

 

Forever outside

discovering worlds under

every upturned stone.

 

by Scooj

607. Rivington Street, Shoreditch (5)

Just to mix things up a bit, I am going to write a few posts about some street art I photographed last Summer/Autumn when I was working two days a week in London. I thought I’d start with this rather eye-catching piece from Thierry Noir at the East end of Rivington Street in the archway by Cargo.

Thierry Noir, Rivington Street, Shoreditch, August 2016
Thierry Noir, Rivington Street, Shoreditch, August 2016

Thierry Noir’s pieces are simple and colourful, almost falling into the category of ‘well I could probably do that’ art. Well I probably couldn’t and the idea and style are his and he executes them brilliantly. The more of his work that I see, the more I like it.