Tag: Upfest

1706. Upfest 2018 (31)

There is something comical and warm about Pelmo’s work and I have to say that it really ticks pretty much all of my boxes. His ideas are witty, for example here we have a Deliveroo rider struggling to stay on the back of an enormous cyclist. I’m not entirely sure what the story here is, but it is a visual treat.

Pelmo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Pelmo, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

It is such a pity that the piece was squeezed into a corner of the Spotted Cow garden where the light conditions made it almost impossible to photograph. I know that Pelmo has had a wall in the previous two years, but I think deservedly so and it would have been nice to seen this on a ‘permanent’ wall – I suppose they have to take turns. I love this.

1690. Upfest 2018 (30)

A stalwart of Upfest and the Bristol street art scene is the wonderful Georgie (Artist). This year’s piece is a stunning portrait of a child, and something rather different from her smiley face stencil work of last year.

Georgie, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Georgie, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Georgie has an incredible range of styles and techniques that she uses to decorate the city and is a most gifted artist who not only executes her pieces well, but also has a wonderfully creative mind. Her pieces rarely disappoint.

Georgie, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Georgie, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

It is a funny thing, but I missed a lot of artists this year. I think it might be because the weather was so ‘stop and start’ that artists tried to get as much done when the sun was out, and then ran for cover or went home when the rain came. Or…maybe they just saw me coming!

1689. Upfest 2018 (29)

Oooh! a stunning wildstyle burner from the Bristol graffiti writer Subtle. I am lucky enough to find his work dotted around the city from time to time and he is right up there with the best writers Bristol has to offer (and there are a lot of them).

Subtle, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Subtle, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This is a very tidy piece, clean and with some lovely colour choices, which are set off perfectly by the grey background. I wish I could tell you more about Subtle, but thus far I have never met him, and there is not a lot of information knocking about on the Interweb either. He has an Instagram account that will give you some idea of his work. Really nice piece.

1688. Upfest 2018 (28)

This piece has been a little bit of a puzzle for me, probably because my grasp of contemporary culture falls a little short from time to time. The work is by Fetch, who started out as a stencil artist a few years back, and his half-brother Leeks78.

Fetch, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Fetch, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

The piece depicts a character from the graphic novel ‘Happy’ by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson. The story has now been made into a TV series first aired on the Syfy channel – I might just have to go and check it out.

The piece appears to be a faithful reproduction of the imaginary unicorn character from the series. I wish I had known all of this when I first saw the piece, as the context might have allowed me to enjoy it more than I did at the time.

 

 

1687. Upfest 2018 (27)

Many of you will now that I am a big fan of the work of Jee See (Goshiku Chavu) and have featured his work many times on this blog. It is not only his raw and passionate artwork that I like but the honesty and integrity of the artist himself, and the rich life experiences he has had. His journey into street art has been an interesting one and it is probably all the better for it.

Jee See, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Jee See, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

For Upfest Jee See produced this rather haunting piece ‘escape airstrip one – 1984 is not fiction’ – a politically charged piece. I have just noticed a rather annoying balloon string hanging right across the photograph, obscuring it a little. Grrr. At the base of the hooded character Jee See offers his trademark ‘seismic’ tag, always a winner in my book. My only regret about this piece is that by the time I got to it, he had left North Street Green and I didn’t get a chance to hook up with him. Maybe another time.

Jee See, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Jee See, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

1686. Upfest 2018 (26)

It comes as absolutely no surprise at all to see Nol entering into the spirit of the theme for this year’s Upfest with a wonderful Simpsons piece depicting Sideshow Bob with a touch of Nol monsterising. Brilliant.

Nol, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Nol, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Nol managed to keep himself busy at the festival, with this being one of three pieces I know about. His work is always bright and colourful and so full of humour and joy. In a troubled world it is great to be able to walk past something like this and cheer…it is not all bad.

1685. Upfest 2018 (25)

Bringing a wonderful splash of colour and some real class to Upfest was this fabulous small piece by Emily Donald. Some of you may remember her equally brilliant work from last year’s festival.

Emily Donald, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Emily Donald, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

This talented artist from Cornwall has made this technique of using rays of light combined with flowers and birds her own. There is a lightness, peacefulness and joy about her work which makes it very easy on the eye. It would be pretty cool to have one of these hanging on the wall at home. Once again some great work from Emily…I hope she is able to return next year.

1684. Upfest 2018 (24)

One of the most striking and interesting collaborations of Upfest 2017 was by Guy Denning and Yatika Fields and it was a real pleasure to be able to welcome Guy Denning back this year, this time painting solo.

Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

The wall developed slowly over the duration of the festival, and it was really interesting to see the layers go up to crate the final piece. I’m not too sure who the lady portrayed is, but I imagine she is an important figure in the world of campaigns and politics.

Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Guy Denning’s style is crafted from a combination of freestyle portraiture and stencil overlay, which gives it a unique finish. He includes a quote, probably from the subject of the piece, and in this case it says:

’Rise like lions after slumberin unvanquishable number, shake your chains to earth like dew which in sleep have fallen on you, ye are many, they are few.’

A stirring quote indeed. Having done a quick search on the Interweb, I now understand that the quote is from a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley called The Masque of Anarchy, which was written about the Peterloo Massacre of 1819. All great stuff. Now trot along and dig out the poem and read it for yourself, just like I did.

Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Guy Denning, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

A fine piece indeed.

1683. Upfest 2018 (23)

Now this charming piece is something rather refreshingly different and eye-catching. It is one of two pieces that I am aware of painted by the London-based artist Vanesa Longchamp at Upfest, the other being a North Street shutter piece (to follow).

Vanesa Longchamp, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Vanesa Longchamp, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

It was good to witness this piece taking shape during the festival, although I think that the high winds experienced over the weekend must have made it rather difficult, particularly at the exposed site of Ashton Gate, for the artists.

Vanesa Longchamp, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Vanesa Longchamp, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

Vanesa’s simple style betrays some fantastic technique and the shading of the hair and twinkle in the eyes is masterful. I’ve not come across any of herv work before but will be on the look out from now on. Great stuff.

1682. Upfest 2018 (22)

Well several of these beautiful stencils by Kin Dose appeared sometime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, each sprayed on a utility box. This one of a hare I think from recollection is opposite the Louis Masai piece.

Kin Dose, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018
Kin Dose, Upfest, Bristol, July 2018

I think that this is a very clever stencil, because of the thought that has gone into the background swirls which really help to highlight the subject so well. Kin Dose only occasionally takes to the streets, but when he does he excels every time. A perfect ‘unofficial’ Upfest piece. More to follow.